How to Dispose of a TV

TVs are banned from landfill in around half of US states, which is why your kerbside collection won't take one. Best Buy is the main national drop-off option but it's no longer uniformly free — $29.99 in most states, free in California, Connecticut and Hawaii. Here's every route, and the state rules that decide which apply to you.

Short answer: if it works, give it away — working TVs move within hours locally. If it doesn't, check whether your state has free e-waste drop-off before paying Best Buy's fee.

Why you can't bin a TV

Televisions contain lead, mercury and other heavy metals. Older CRT sets are the worst offenders — a CRT can contain several pounds of lead in the glass alone. Around 25 states ban electronics from landfill outright, and where the ban applies your waste hauler will simply refuse the set.

CRTs are also the hardest to get rid of. The recycling market for leaded glass collapsed years ago, so many facilities that accept flat screens still refuse CRTs, or charge more for them.

Best Buy — the main national option

Best Buy runs the most widely available electronics takeback in the US, but the terms are specific and worth knowing before you drive over:

Free in-store drop-off in California, Connecticut and Hawaii — state e-waste laws cover the cost there.
$29.99 drop-off fee for TVs 50 inches and under in most other states.
In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan you get a $30 gift card back, which makes it effectively free if you shop there anyway.
Limit of two TVs per household per day.
$49.99 haul-away from your home when Geek Squad or Best Buy delivers a replacement product.
$199.99 standalone home pickup for up to two large items plus unlimited small ones — rarely worth it for a single TV.

Fees and eligible states change. Confirm on Best Buy's recycling page before making the trip.

Every option, cheapest first

1. Give it away — free, if it works

A working flat-screen TV listed free locally usually goes within hours. Even older or smaller sets get taken for garages, workshops and spare rooms. Be honest about size and condition, and mention whether you have the remote and stand.

2. State or county e-waste event — free

Most counties run periodic electronics collection days, and many maintain permanent drop-off sites. These are typically free for residents. Search your county name plus "electronics recycling" or "household hazardous waste."

In the roughly 25 states with e-waste laws, manufacturers fund collection — which is why these events exist and why they're generally free to you.

3. Manufacturer takeback — usually free

Several TV manufacturers run their own recycling programmes, sometimes with mail-back for smaller items or partnerships with drop-off networks. Worth a search for your brand plus "recycling," particularly if you're in a state with an e-waste law.

4. Retailer drop-off — free to $29.99

Best Buy as above. Staples accepts smaller electronics free but not TVs. Some regional chains run their own programmes.

5. Donate it — free

Goodwill accepts working electronics at many locations, though policies vary and some have stopped taking TVs. Schools, community centres, churches and thrift stores sometimes want working sets. Call first — a rejected TV means a wasted trip.

6. Transfer station — $10–$40

Many accept electronics for a per-item fee, though some refuse CRTs specifically. Call ahead.

7. Paid removal — $50–$150

Worth it if you're clearing several items or the TV is large and awkward. Expect an e-waste surcharge on top of the base rate.

If it's an old CRT

The heavy, deep sets with glass tubes are meaningfully harder to dispose of:

Many recyclers refuse them or charge extra — the leaded glass has almost no market value and real handling costs.
They're extremely heavy. A 27-inch CRT can weigh 100 lbs. Treat it as a two-person lift.
Never break the tube. It's under vacuum and contains leaded glass and phosphor coating. A broken CRT is a genuine hazard, not just a mess.
County e-waste events are usually your best route, since they're set up for exactly this.

Is an old TV worth anything?

Working flat screens have modest resale value — often $30–$150 depending on size and age. Broken ones are essentially worthless: the recoverable materials don't cover the labour, which is precisely why disposal costs money rather than earning it.

The exception is genuinely vintage equipment. Certain CRTs are sought after by retro gaming enthusiasts, and some older sets fetch surprising prices. Worth a search before scrapping something unusual.

Common questions

Can I put a TV in the trash?

In around half of US states, no — it's banned from landfill. Even where legal, most kerbside services refuse them on size and weight grounds.

Does Best Buy recycle TVs for free?

Only in California, Connecticut and Hawaii. Elsewhere it's typically $29.99 for sets 50 inches and under, with a $30 gift card refund in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Will Goodwill take a TV?

Many locations accept working electronics, but policies vary by region and some have stopped taking TVs entirely. Call the specific store.

What do I do with the wall mount and cables?

Cables are scrap metal — a yard will take them, and copper wire has real value in quantity. Steel wall mounts also go to scrap.

Is it worth repairing instead?

Rarely, for flat screens. A panel replacement usually costs more than a new TV. Power supply and backlight faults are sometimes economic to fix on larger sets — worth one quote if it's a big screen.

Retailer fees, eligible states and e-waste laws change. State landfill bans vary. Always confirm current terms with the retailer or your county before travelling. Last verified August 2026.