The Best Way to Get Rid of an Old TV
If the TV still works, donating it is the greenest option — schools, nonprofits and thrift stores sometimes take working flat-panels. Otherwise, recycle it. The easiest national option is a retail drop-off at Best Buy; you can also use a county household hazardous waste (HHW) facility, a municipal electronics-collection event, a certified R2 or e-Stewards recycler, or your TV brand's take-back program. The EPA directs people to the Earth911 locator (or 1-800-CLEANUP) to find a nearby site. Before you hand it over, delete any personal data from smart TVs.
Best Buy: $29.99 Per TV
Best Buy recycles televisions in store for $29.99 per TV. It accepts tube (CRT) TVs 31 inches and smaller and flat-panel TVs 50 inches and smaller, with a limit of 2 TVs per household per day (within an overall 3-item daily limit). Best Buy's own Insignia and Dynex sets 50 inches and smaller are free. There is no drop-off fee in California, Connecticut or Hawaii; in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan you pay the fee but get a $30 gift card back. TVs larger than 50 inches aren't accepted at the counter — they need the haul-away service.
Recycling an Old CRT / Tube TV
Old CRT tube TVs are the hardest and most likely to cost money, because the picture tube is leaded glass that must be handled as hazardous material. That's why most curbside programs and many landfills refuse them. Your options are Best Buy (tube TVs 31 inches and smaller, $29.99), your county HHW facility or an electronics-collection event, or a certified recycler. Always call the site first to confirm it takes CRTs, and never break the tube.
Where to Take a TV Locally
Use the Earth911 locator (search "TV" or "e-waste" plus your ZIP) or dial 1-800-CLEANUP to find drop-offs: municipal e-waste events, county HHW sites and certified electronics recyclers. About half of US states run or require manufacturer take-back programs, and brands like Sony, LG, Samsung and Toshiba offer their own recycling (often free for their own products). Note that Staples recycles many electronics free but does NOT accept televisions — use Best Buy or a certified recycler instead.
Haul-Away & Pickup Options
If you can't transport a heavy TV, Best Buy's Standalone Haul-Away service costs $199.99 and removes up to two large products (TVs included) plus unlimited select smaller items, no purchase required. If you're having a new TV delivered, many retailers will haul the old one away at delivery for a fee. Junk-removal services will also pick up and recycle a TV, with pricing that varies by company and region.
Can a TV Go in the Trash?
In most places, no. The EPA treats electronics as containing hazardous materials, and roughly half of US states have e-waste disposal bans that make it illegal to put a TV in household trash — and many haulers won't take one at the curb anyway. Recycle it through a retailer, HHW site, certified recycler or manufacturer program instead, and check your own state's e-waste law for the specific rule.