What to do with old tvs: Don’t throw your old TV out—do this instead
Don’t throw your old TV out—do this instead
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It’s finally time to update that aging TV with a new LG C3, Hisense U8H, or one of the other best TVs currently available. Figuring out how best to recycle or dispose of electronics properly is a pain, but it’s worth it. While you might go through many TVs in your lifetime, we’ve only got one planet, after all. Here are some options to consider instead of simply throwing your old TV in the trash or on the curb.
Buy the LG C3 at Amazon
Buy the Hisense U8H at Amazon
Donate or repurpose your TV
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Your ancient TV could be a retro gaming hub for you or a gamer you’ve never met.
I used to rescue CRTs (tube TVs) from sidewalks all the time, and I’ve never once brought one home and found that it didn’t work. It’s a little baffling that someone would take a perfectly functional TV and just toss it out, but it happens all the time.
If you’ve got old TVs sitting around that still work—be them flat-screen or CRT—consider donating them instead. Try calling up your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or even a school or public library, and see if they’re in need of a TV. We’ve donated all manner of TVs to the Goodwill around the corner from our office, so we’re here to tell you that it can be easily done. Try Googling “donate electronics.”
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Goodwill
Most charitable organizations like Goodwill or Salvation Army will accept TV donations, though you should call ahead to check if your TV is particularly huge.
You might also consider calling your local hobby shop or video game store—some older games are still played exclusively on CRTs, and the gamers are always looking for working sets. Or for that matter, if you’ve got a penchant for older games, you could always find a new life for your TV as your retro-gaming hub and keep it yourself.
This is a much better solution than just throwing it out. Not only are you avoiding contributing to world’s massive e-waste problem, but you’re also allowing the item to continue serving a purpose for someone who needs it (even if that someone is you). It’s win-win.
Have a yard/garage sale
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Getty Images / gchutka
If you’re looking to get rid of some stuff anyway, why not have a good ol’ fashioned yard or garage sale? If you’ve still got a functional TV—especially a newer LED TV as opposed to a CRT—there’s a good chance someone will want it, and you can make a few bucks, too.
The only caveat here is you might need to prove that the TV still works. You can just plug the TV into an extension cord outside, if need be. Unless it’s raining or snowing, most TVs are fine to operate outside for a few hours. You’ll also want to try to track down the remote control and pop some working batteries into it—you’re much more likely to sell the TV this way.
Online sale or giveaway
If you don’t have enough stuff to get rid of for a full yard or garage sale, you can always try selling the TV somewhere like eBay, though making a profile and dealing with shipping puts a lot of folks off of this method.
If you’ve already got a Facebook account, Facebook Marketplace is a great way to keep things simple and local: Just snap a picture of your old TV, suggest a reasonable price point (even if that’s $0), and brace yourself for eager strangers.
In fact, there’s a healthy slate of options for selling or donating your stuff locally these days, including:
- Craigslist
- Facebook Groups and Facebook Marketplace
- Nextdoor
- Buy Nothing
Recycle your TV
If you can’t pay your old TV forward (or it’s absolutely toast), recycling it is the next best thing. Most states and districts have e-waste services that will allow you to recycle your old TV, and finding them is pretty easy.
Check out the EPA’s website, where you can learn about electronics donation and recycling and find plenty of resources to help you locate a local service or recycling center.
If you’ve got a local Best Buy or Walmart, many of those retailers also offer a haul-away service, though you may have to pay a disposal fee. Best Buy in particular accepts CRTs under 32 inches and flatscreen LED TVs under 50 inches—for a $30 fee. But that’s a small price to pay for a clear conscience.
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Best Buy
Best Buy also offers a haul-away service when you replace your old TV with a new one. The haul-away fee is only $39.99, which is great, assuming you need to buy a new TV. It’s a lot pricier to get your TV picked up when you aren’t replacing it, but it can be done.
Buy Haul-away Service from Best Buy
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Television Recycling, Disposal & Pickup
Everyone wants to get their hands on the latest and greatest technology when it comes to televisions. Of course, every time you upgrade your TV, you have to get rid of the old one. Getting rid of an old TV can be a bit difficult, especially if it’s a larger model that you can’t carry on your own. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is in your city, ready to help take your old TV sets and any other junk you may have for us today!
- CRT Televisions
- LED or LCD TVs
- Plasma Televisions
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- Rear Projection TVs
- Smart TVs
- 3D TVs
- Wall Mounts
- Cables And Connectors
- Battery Backups (UPS)
- DVD/Blu-Ray Players
- DirecTV Set-Top Boxes/Converters
- Internet TV Set-Top Boxes/Satellite Receivers
- In-Dash/Overhead DVD Players
- Portable DVD Players
- Portable TVs
- Portable Media Players
- Power Inverters
- Remotes
- Projectors
- Surge Protectors
- TV Antennas
- TiVO Boxes
- VCRs
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How our service works:
- Schedule your appointment online or by calling 1-800-468-5865.
- Our truck team will call you 15-30 minutes before your scheduled appointment window to let you know what time we’ll arrive.
- We’ll take a look at the items you want to be removed and give you an all-inclusive price.
- We’ll remove your items, sweep up the area, and collect payment once we’re done.
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Why choose 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to dispose of and recycle your old TV sets and accessories?
If you want to handle your old TV removal easily and responsibly but just don’t have the time to handle it on your own, give 1-800-GOT-JUNK? a call. We’ll come to your home, haul out your old TV, and ensure that it is properly disposed of or recycled whenever possible. You’ll save time and money, and you’ll feel good knowing that your television has been properly disposed of. We’re in your neighborhood—find a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? location near you.
How our pricing works
The final cost of your junk removal can vary depending on what we take, how much needs to be removed, and how much space it takes up in our trucks. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is always happy to provide you with an onsite, no-obligation estimate, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Click here to see our pricing
Recycling old TVs in an environmentally friendly manner
Old TV sets can be recycled but the process often may involve some legwork and careful consideration. Although it’s not a simple task to recycle, it is often easier and worth the trouble as compared to other alternatives.
Like many other electronic devices, TVs contain a variety of materials such as heavy metals, plastic, and other toxins like lead that can pose a serious pollution risk if not dealt with properly.
Recycling of TVs and other e-waste is required by law in 25 U.S. states, and in some states, TVs are banned from landfills entirely. Even if you face no legal consequences for tossing a TV into the trash, there are also practical and ethical reasons as to why recycling is a better option.
We take excessive caution so that we protect Earth’s climate and ozone layer during the process of disposing of your old LEDs and CRTs. You don’t have to carry, unplug, pack, clean up or do any heavy-lifting or physical work. We do it for you at your convenience. All you have to do is point and your old TV disappears.
You have a few options when it comes to getting rid of an old TV.
- Donate your TV. There are many local charities that accept televisions that still work. Keep in mind that you will probably need to drop it off on your own.
- Take it to a recycling facility. Depending on where you live, they may offer a pickup service.
- Return it to the manufacturer. Some companies offer to take old TVs back and recycle or refurbish them. Contact the manufacturer to see if your TV is eligible for this service.
- Sell it. If your TV still works and isn’t too old, you may be able to sell it to someone else.
- Give it away for free. Again, if your TV still works, you may be able to find someone to come pick it up for free.
- Call a junk removal service, like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, who can handle all the heavy lifting for you and ensure your old TV is disposed of or recycled responsibly.
Check out our guide on how to dispose of TVs for more support.
No, you should never throw an old TV in the trash. In fact, many garbage pickup services don’t pick up televisions, so it might not even be an option. Most old TVs also contain harmful chemicals and parts that need to be safely disposed of.
Yes, there are many components of a TV (inside and out) that can be recycled. To recycle your TV, you need to take it to a facility that is equipped to properly take the TV apart so that all the individual parts can be recycled.
TV recycling can also produce valuable materials that can easily be reused, including plastic, glass, copper wiring, and even precious metals. They can be used to create new products and can also help reduce the amount of resources needed for the production of new metals, glass, and plastic.
Like many other electronics, TVs contain chemicals that, if disposed of improperly, can damage our health and the environment. Responsible TV disposal, such as professional recycling, is important to prevent these chemicals from unnecessarily polluting the air and water.
Look for a local recycling facility that is equipped to handle TV recycling. E-cycling Central is a great resource that can help you find a recycling depot near you. Or, you can check to see if the manufacturer of your old TV has a recycling program. You can also call a professional junk hauling company like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to come to take it away and recycle it for you.
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What to do with the old kinescope TV
CRT televisions have already outlived their lives. If you still have such a TV, then it is easier to sell or dispose of it.
Cathode ray tube television sets are practically no longer used. From living rooms and bedrooms, they have long migrated to summer cottages, rented apartments, supply rooms and other places where it is a pity or not economically feasible to install a modern TV. However, more and more often, old equipment becomes completely useless, so it needs to be attached somewhere or thrown away. If you do not have a dacha where the old TV could still serve, then there are not so many other options.
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It should be noted that you can’t just throw away the TV. As well as other electronic devices, household appliances, light bulbs and batteries. All of them contain harmful substances that can harm the environment.
Recycling
Large retail chains often hold promotions with the acceptance of old equipment. You can bring old, and even faulty, equipment and get a discount on a new one. Also, if you bring a TV, you don’t necessarily need to buy a TV. There is a list of goods participating in the promotion, which includes a variety of equipment from smartphones to refrigerators. Please note that promotion rules may vary. Specify in advance what exactly you can get a discount on, what can be handed over and in what condition.
Some electronics retailers also have a “Recycling” service. Unlike a promotion, it is paid, so there is no benefit for the buyer. However, in this way you help to save nature. But in any case, it is better than taking out old equipment somewhere on your own. However, it is better to wait for the action.
In addition to retail chains, specialized companies also deal with recycling. There are quite a few of them, it is enough to drive in the search query “utilization of household appliances” or “export of household appliances”. Of course, few people are willing to pay for disposal, because it is much easier to take the equipment to the nearest garbage collection point.
Sale
A more troublesome, but often equally profitable way to get rid of an old TV is to sell it. A lot depends on the device itself. You won’t get much for a simple model. Sellers on ad sites ask for quite ridiculous money from 500 to 1000 rubles. It will still be more profitable to hand over the stock to an electronics store. A little more expensive you can sell a big-screen TV of a famous brand.
It is worth noting that there are a lot of offers. You will most likely have to wait before someone responds. In addition, you can try to give away TV for free. You won’t earn anything, but you won’t have to dispose of it.
But there are also really expensive models costing 15,000 rubles and more. You can argue for a long time who and why needs a TV for such an amount, but there are many such proposals. A quality CRT TV is great for standard-definition terrestrial television, and can be used with VCRs and older game consoles.
For viewing terrestrial TV and standard definition content, this TV is perfect. Expensive models not only have a contrasting and clear image, but also powerful built-in sound.
If the TV is an expensive brand, with additional video inputs, a flat screen, 100 Hz, then it can cost relatively much. Therefore, perhaps you should not rush to sell and set the minimum price, and even more so to hand over such a TV for recycling. Wait until a buyer shows up who really needs a quality CRT.
Special mention should be made of televisions that have a collection value. Of course, it is unlikely that something like this is just gathering dust in your apartment. However, vintage television receivers can cost a lot.
See the best prices for modern TVs with huge discounts:
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We get rid of the old TV and make a profit – PointMetal – recycling points
Danger of household appliances for the environment
Over the years of its existence, television has become an indispensable attribute of family leisure. Now it can be found in almost every apartment. Nevertheless, sooner or later, even the most powerful TV becomes obsolete and becomes unusable. And then quite reasonably the question arises: what to do with it?
Why TV should not be thrown into a landfill
It is strictly forbidden to throw old equipment into a trash can, as this can cause great harm to the environment. In addition, there is a real penalty for this. The parts of the TV contain plastic, as well as many toxic metals that end up in a landfill and adversely affect the environment and human health:
- Barium. May lead to muscle spasms.
- Strontium. radioactive substance. When it comes into contact with mucous membranes, it causes burns and contributes to the development of lung diseases.
- Lead. Causes cancer.
- Mercury. It is not dangerous in itself, but vapors for humans are a dangerous poison.
TV must not decompose outdoors
There are other safer ways to dispose of an old TV without throwing it into a landfill. So you will not only get rid of unnecessary trash, but also be able to earn.
How to realize a working TV
If for some reason you no longer need an old TV (for example, you bought a new model), there is an opportunity to get rid of it with monetary gain for your wallet.
Disposal companies
In some cities of Russia there are special companies that accept old household appliances from the population for money. In the future, employees of these companies dismantle TVs for parts, which are then either recycled or used for repairs. Now this is a common type of business that helps to solve the problem with unnecessary appliances.
How recycling companies work
Advertisements for sale
A working TV can be sold on ad sites like Avito or Yula. There will definitely be those people who want to purchase your household appliances for home or summer cottage. For example, young families or students. Usually they have a small income, so, unfortunately, they do not have the opportunity to buy a new TV.
Pawnshop and purchase
You can also sell a TV in working order to a pawnshop or a buyout. There are many such organizations in every city and they still accept household appliances.
You can sell not only a TV set, but also a monitor
Donate
If you are not interested in making a profit, you can give the old TV to relatives, friends, or give it as a gift. There are various sites on the Internet where you can advertise that you want to donate equipment.
Sell to collector
If your TV is very old and valuable, like a rare model, you can sell it to collectors.
Dismantling the board from a tube TV
Where to put a non-working TV
It happens that the TV has to be changed due to its complete malfunction. Of course, such a device can no longer be sold on an ad site or handed over to a pawnshop. However, you can get rid of such a TV with profit.
Scrap metal collection point
Since the TV contains metals, it can be taken to a scrap collection point. However, before carrying the appliance, check whether household appliances are accepted there.
Many collection points collect old appliances and electronics
Exchange of an old TV for a new one
Many hardware stores hold promotions in which you can return the old device and buy a new one at a significant discount. A good discount may depend on the condition of the TV and its appearance. Moreover, you can hand over both a faulty and a working TV. In any case, it is more profitable than buying a new one at full price. You can do this in the following hypermarkets:
- “Eldorado” annually holds the “Total Recycling” campaign. In exchange for old household appliances, a discount is made on some goods. The task of the buyer is to prepare the old equipment for removal.
- “M-video” offers a similar promotion. When ordering home delivery, the old TV is disposed of free of charge.
- “Media Markt” organizes the action “Old for new”.
After the promotions, all TVs are sent for recycling.
TV recycling
Disposal of TVs takes place in several stages. The first stage of processing is dismantling. All devices are disassembled into parts and divided into categories for plastic and metal. Some Soviet TV models contain precious metals. They will be treated separately using strong acids and solvents.
How plastic TV cases are recycled
Those parts that contain various materials are sent to the crushing machine. After crushing, the resulting mixture is passed through a magnetic shaft, on which ferrous metals are retained, and non-ferrous metals, plastic and glass remain on the conveyor.