Your old and outdated television set should not be thrown away with the trash or left in a landfill. This is because old TVs contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and more. These chemicals are hazardous to human health and the environment, and they need to be handled safely. Instead of throwing your TV on the roadside, you can recycle, sell or donate it. Read on to learn more about disposing of your TV set.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Recycling Your TV
Step 1. Contact your local waste disposal company
It's illegal to leave TVs and other electronics in the garbage truck, but your municipal waste disposal company may have a system set up to hold your old TV in their place so they can be recycled. Contact the company in your city to find out what procedure you should do.
- Depending on the location, the company may require you to show proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill.
- Most of these waste disposal centers accept TVs and other items, such as cameras, small household appliances, cell phones, CD players and photocopiers.
Step 2. Find a recycling program in your area
Many cities and towns have personal electronic device recycling programs. Some of them offer the option of picking up your old TV so you don't have to take it there. This can be a useful offer, as older TVs tend to be very heavy.
One option is to visit aslrecycling.com, which has a list of electronic device recycling programs
Step 3. Check the program in electronics stores
Some major electronics stores, such as BestBuy, offer free or low-cost electronics recycling. Contact electronics stores or check online to see if your TV meets the requirements for free recycling.
Step 4. Return the used television to the manufacturer
Some manufacturers will accept your old television and associated components and then recycle the product themselves.
- In general, you should search for the nearest designated point of receipt of the product online and follow the guidelines provided by the company. For example, the manufacturer may apply a maximum weight for the television it accepts.
- Some companies may offer free recycling services to consumers and businesses, while others may charge a fee.
Method 2 of 2: Donating or Selling Your TV
Step 1. Donate the television to a non-profit foundation
If the TV is still working fine, but you want to buy a new, state-of-the-art television, then donate your television to a church or social service agency. National groups, such as the Salvation Army, and similar organizations often receive electronic devices that are still in good condition.
- Many donation centers will give away or sell your old television to families in need
- You might also consider lending the TV to a friend or relative so they can use it again.
- Contact schools, homeless shelters or nursing homes in your city to see if they would like to use an old TV.
Step 2. Sell the television
Look online or in newspapers that advertise TVs for sale. You won't be able to sell it for the same price you bought it for, but you might be able to get a small amount of money off the TV.
- You can also try selling your TV at a yard sale or garage sale. Offer free shipping if you're having trouble moving the item off your page.
- If your television is out of use, you may be able to sell it to a theater in your city so they can use it as a stand.
Tips
- To avoid exposure to chemicals, such as lead or mercury, manufacturers or recycling companies use furnaces or similar machines to destroy these chemicals before reusing or disposing of them.
- Before disposing of your television, review the product manual to determine whether or not you can repair or upgrade the TV.
- The online organization provides a list of reputable recycling centers. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers a list of resources for recycling televisions and other electronic devices.
- When visiting a receiving center for goods for recycling, be sure to ask whether or not the facility complies with local state and city recycling laws. Find out if they send the ingredients to a treatment center that specializes in handling hazardous waste or not.
