You can dispose of a flat screen TV for free by dropping it off at electronic retail chains (like Best Buy), local Goodwill or Salvation Army locations, or municipal e-waste recycling events. Alternatively, if the TV still works, you can list it for free on community platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing groups.
Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples often offer electronic recycling programs, including flat screen TVs. Some stores limit the size or charge a service fee, but it's a convenient option if you're already purchasing a replacement.
Old and non-working televisions
Old and non-working tube and flat screen televisions can be recycled at Best Buy, Midwest Recycling Center, Secure E-Cycle, and Lee's Summit Resource Recovery Park.
You may be able to trade in your TV with a retailer and get cash or money off the cost of a new set. Larger brands such as Samsung occasionally run special offers where they may take your old set and give you a discount on a new TV, or vouchers towards other purchases.
Top 10 Best Tv Recycle Near Los Angeles, California
To get rid of your old television, you can take it to a local recycling centre or arrange a pick-up with a collection service. Collect My Electricals offers a hassle-free solution, collecting old TVs and ensuring they are recycled or disposed of responsibly.
Here are some ways to get rid of your old TV: Ask your trash collection service about electronics pick up. Take your old TV to a recycling facility. Trade your TV in at an electronics retailer.
Pawn shops that buy TVs will also pay more for a bigger screen. If your TV's screen is less than 26 inches, you'd be lucky to get over $50 for it. If your screen is greater than 42 inches, though, a pawnbroker like GEM might offer you over $200, provided the TV is one of the brands mentioned above.
Can you throw an old TV in a dumpster? No, in most areas it's illegal to throw an old TV in a dumpster. The best way to dispose of your old TV is to recycle or donate it.
Walmart partners with Manufacturers Recycling Management (MRM) for recycling used electronics in a number of states. Visit mrmrecycling.com/recycle-now.php to learn how you can recycle your used electronics.
Many cities and retailers offer drop-off locations or host e-waste recycling events, making it easier than ever to get rid of your old television responsibly. Recycling your TV helps recover valuable materials and supports job growth in the recycling industry.
The best way to dispose of an old TV is to recycle it and not just throw it in the trash. TVs contain materials that are toxic to the environment, so it's best to keep them out of the landfill whenever possible. You can't just throw an old TV in your recycling bin, either.
Best Buy accepts most electronics and large appliances, with a few exceptions. See the Electronics and Appliances Recycling main page for more information on recycling restrictions for specific products in your state.
To get rid of a flat screen TV, the easiest and most sustainable method depends on whether it works. You can list it for free on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, drop it off at a local electronics retailer like Best Buy, or schedule a pickup with a junk removal service.
This data helps companies improve services, but it also means your habits and preferences are tracked, stored, and sometimes shared. What Does This Mean for You? Loss of Privacy: Smart TVs can collect personal details. Everything from your favorite shows to your shopping preferences might be logged.
Televisions are considered electronic waste (e-waste) under California law. This means they must be handled through special recycling or disposal programs. Throwing your old TV in a dumpster or leaving it on the curb can result in fines and contributes to environmental pollution.
7 Practical Ways to Get Rid of Old TV
Yes, you can return a TV to Walmart without the original box, but it is at the discretion of the store manager and requires you to meet specific criteria.
Common household items that typically cannot be recycled include Styrofoam (polystyrene), greasy pizza boxes, and plastic films/bags. These materials damage sorting machinery or contaminate recycling batches, making them unsuitable for standard curbside recycling programs.
Don't throw it in the trash: TVs contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and flame retardants. Dumping them in regular trash can lead to environmental contamination. Avoid illegal dumping: Dumping electronics illegally can result in fines and harm to the environment.
Common E-Waste Items You Should Never Throw Away
Electronics waste (e.g., mobile phones, small electronic devices, media devices and ink cartridges) collected is refurbished or recycled. Please note that all personal data is wiped from all devices or the device is destroyed so data is unrecoverable.
Here are some of the most common items that pawn shops will not buy:
A 75-inch TV contains a very small amount of gold—typically between 0.01 and 0.05 grams. This trace amount is used in microscopic amounts to plate circuit board connectors and internal wiring pins.
The short answer is that TVs and many electronics are not like paper, glass, or aluminum. They often contain hazardous materials, require specialized labor to dismantle safely, and can be expensive to transport and process.