The Scoop on Where to Recycle Old TVs

If you're one of the lucky people fortunate enough not to live in California, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania, there's a great chance you'll be able to ditch your old TV on your next shopping spree. Best Buy has recently rolled out a program that allows you to bring in a variety of old gadgets (including television sets) for recycling. They do charge a fee, of course (as do most places, and there are some size guidelines you need to adhere to. Tube TVs need to be smaller than 32", and flat screen TVs need to be smaller than 50". Customers can't bring in more than two television sets at a time. There will also be a $25 fee for each television. 

Too lazy to drive? If you're purchasing a new television and having Best Buy deliver it, for an extra $20 you can have them haul away your old TV. Now that's service!

As mentioned previously, recycling an old television set can come with a price tag. If your TV is still in working order, one of the best ways to circumvent having to pay this price tag is through a donation to a charitable organization. Places like The Salvation Army and Goodwill are potential sites for you to donate your TV. 

It is strongly recommended that you call ahead, first! Much like businesses, organizations like The Salvation Army are subject to governmental regulation on what they can and cannot sell. Different models of televisions may have recalls or faulty parts, which prohibit them from being sold again. This is why it's advisable to call ahead to your local charity organization and find out exactly what they can take. 

A quick websearch can give you a list of nearby recycling plants to take your television set. However, contacting your local municipality or waste management company may prove more fruitful. They can provide you with the best options, as well as any info into upcoming days/events where you can recycle your old TV through your waste management company directly or at a city municipality location. 

When it comes to recycling plants, ditching your old TV is pretty easy. Most plants will take your TV at any time (for a price). Depending on state laws and the size of your television, you may have to pay anywhere from $25-$40 per unit recycled. Costs are attached to recycling TVs because it takes effort and time to properly break down the components of television units, so that they can be properly disposed of. 

For an additional fee, many recycling plants will offer pickup services, so you won't even have to leave the house!

Yes and no. The answer to this is a little more complicated. In years past, it may have been the case where you could just contact your television manufacturer and work out some sort of return program where you could trade in for a discount on a newer model. At the time of writing this article, this isn't the case anymore. Most television manufacturers have set up referral links that defer TV recycling services to either Best Buy or a recycling plant nearest to your zipcode.