TV Removal Cost: What You'll Actually Pay [2026]

TV disposal pricing depends on the method, your location, and whether it is a flat-panel or old CRT tube TV. Here is what each option actually costs:

Best Buy recycling is the most accessible drop-off option. Best Buy accepts TVs up to 50 inches (85 inches for Best Buy-branded products) for recycling. Flat-panel TVs (LCD, LED, OLED) purchased from Best Buy can be dropped off for free. Non-Best Buy flat panels and tube TVs up to 31 inches cost $29.99 per item. In California, Connecticut, and Hawaii, there are no store drop-off fees. In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the $29.99 fee comes with a $30 Best Buy gift card — essentially free. Best Buy also offers standalone haul-away from your home for $59.99 without a new purchase, or $49.99 when buying a replacement TV.

Municipal e-waste collection events happen quarterly in most cities and accept TVs for free. The downside: they are infrequent, locations rotate, and lines can be long. Check your city or county website for the next scheduled event.

Self-hauling to a local e-waste recycler costs $0–$30 depending on the facility. Many certified e-waste recyclers accept flat-panel TVs for free because the components have recovery value. CRT tube TVs typically carry a fee of $20–$30 because the leaded glass is expensive to process — MRC Electronics charges $30 for CRT TVs 26 inches and under.

Junk removal companies charge $82–$200+ for TV pickup. LoadUp starts at $82 for television disposal with all-inclusive pricing that covers mandatory recycling fees. 1-800-GOT-JUNK accepts TVs but requires an on-site estimate — their blog notes that electronics may carry an additional e-waste or environmental fee on top of their volume-based pricing.

Yes — the type of TV significantly affects disposal cost and available options:

• •Flat-panel TVs (LCD, LED, OLED, plasma): Easier and cheaper to recycle. Components like copper, aluminum, and rare earth metals have recovery value. Most recyclers accept these for free or at low cost. Best Buy takes flat-panels up to 50 inches.

• •CRT tube TVs: Significantly more expensive to dispose of. Each CRT contains 4–8 pounds of lead in the glass, making it hazardous waste. Only two CRT recyclers remain in the entire United States according to ACE E-Waste. Cohen recycling confirms CRT TVs cost more to process than they are worth. Expect to pay $20–$40 at recycling facilities for CRT disposal.

• •Projection TVs: Large, heavy (100–200+ lbs), and contain a small amount of mercury in the lamp. Most junk removal companies accept them at standard appliance pricing. Too large for most retail drop-off programs.

• •Smart TVs and monitors: Treated the same as flat-panel TVs for recycling purposes. Computer monitors follow similar pricing.

Yes. Several free options exist depending on your location and TV type:

• •California residents: The Electronic Waste Recycling Act funds free disposal of TVs, monitors, and laptops at authorized collection sites statewide. A $4–$6 recycling fee is paid at the time of purchase, which funds free disposal later. Connecticut and Hawaii have similar programs.

• •Best Buy drop-off: Free for Best Buy-branded flat-panel TVs. In CA, CT, and HI, all TV drop-offs are free regardless of brand.

• •Municipal e-waste events: Free periodic collection events hosted by cities and counties. Check your local government website.

• •Working TVs — donate or sell: Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore accept working flat-panel TVs. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can move working TVs for free within 24–48 hours.

• •Retailer take-back: Best Buy offers haul-away for $49.99 when you buy a replacement TV. During promotional events, this fee is sometimes waived.

TV disposal options and costs vary by city based on local programs and regulations:

Five ways to reduce what you pay for TV disposal:

• •Check if you are in a free-disposal state: California, Connecticut, and Hawaii fund free TV recycling through purchase-time fees. Drop off at any Best Buy, Goodwill, or authorized collection site at no cost.

• •Use Best Buy drop-off for small TVs: If you can transport it, dropping off at Best Buy costs $0–$29.99 — far less than any pickup service. In PA, WI, and MI, the $29.99 fee comes with a $30 gift card.

• •Sell or give away working TVs: A working flat-screen TV has value. Post it on Facebook Marketplace for $20–$50 or list it free for instant pickup. This is especially effective for TVs under 5 years old.

• •Bundle with other electronics: If you have a TV plus a computer, monitor, or other e-waste, bundling into one junk removal pickup lowers the per-item cost.

• •Use curbside instead of full-service: If you can carry the TV outside, curbside services like Dropcurb at $79 are significantly cheaper than full-service companies that charge $100–$200+ to enter your home and carry it out.

Most states and municipalities ban TVs from regular trash and landfills. TVs contain hazardous materials including lead (especially CRT tubes with 4–8 lbs of lead per unit), mercury in LCD backlights, cadmium, and flame retardants. Over 25 states plus Washington D.C. have e-waste disposal laws that require proper recycling.

Putting a TV in the trash can result in fines. More importantly, the EPA classifies CRT glass as hazardous waste. When landfilled, lead and mercury can leach into groundwater.

This is why even free disposal options exist — states and utility companies subsidize e-waste recycling to keep these materials out of landfills.