The Best Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Flat Screen TV

Properly dispose of LED, LCD, and plasma TVs with our guide

Co-authored by Victor Belavus and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: August 25, 2024 Fact Checked

If you have an old or broken flat-screen TV that you don’t want anymore, there are many ways that you can get rid of it. While you can’t throw away your TV with your regular trash, you can still recycle, sell, or donate it. Keep reading, and we’ll provide you with all the options for safely disposing of your TV.

How to Get Rid of a Broken TV

Bring your flat-screen TV to an electronics recycling center to properly dispose of it. Don't throw the TV in the trash—that's illegal in many places because it contains toxic materials. If your flat-screen TV still works, consider selling it or donating it to a secondhand store.

1

Bring the TV to an electronics recycling center.

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Recycling your TV is the safest and easiest way to get rid of it. Every state or county has different recycling rules for flat-screen TVs. Some states offer curbside recycling services that pick up your television while others have recycling centers where you can bring your TV. Contact your local waste management service to find out what options are available to you.^{[1]
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- Curbside recycling services may require a small fee to pick up your television, or they may only be set times of the year.
- Electronics stores, like Best Buy, also offer safe electronic recycling services.^{[2]
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2

Take the TV to an electronic dropoff events.

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Dropoff events are perfect for collecting old or broken TVs. Many cities have events at schools or businesses where you can bring in TVs and other electronics so they’re properly recycled. Search for the name of your city plus the phrase “electronic dropoff” to find when the next event is scheduled.
- Double-check that the dropoff event accepts TVs because some may not be able to take them from you or they may charge a small fee.

3

Use a haul-away service to pick up your TV.

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Haul-away services pick up the TV from your home for easy disposal. Companies like Best Buy usually offer pickup services for old electronics you want to recycle. Contact your local electronics store to see if they offer haul-away services and how much it would cost to take your TV.^{[3]
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- Best Buy charges about $199.99 USD to haul away 2 large electronic items, including TVs and appliances, and any number of small electronics.
- Sony and TCL may also offer haul-away services if they have stores in your area.

4

List your flat-screen TV for sale online.

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Earn a quick buck selling your TV on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Post your TV on Craigslist or create a listing on Facebook Marketplace to reach interested buyers in your area. Take clear pictures of your flat screen and list any size or picture quality specifications.
- If there are any flaws or problems with your TV, include that info in the listing so potential buyers are aware.
- Check what other people are listing similar TVs for and list yours for around the same price. If you want to get rid of the TV quickly, you could even list it for free.
- Your ad might say, "Free 40 in (100 cm) LG flat screen TV— 4k resolution. it works perfectly but is missing the remote. Message me if you're interested or have questions!"

5

Sell your TV at a yard sale.

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Hosting a yard sale lets you sell your flat-screen TV to the community. If you have other household items you’d like to get rid of that are also in good shape, consider planning a yard or garage sale. Put prices on your items and advertise the sale on social media or by hanging flyers around your neighborhood.
- Some larger cities require permits before you can hold a yard sale, so be sure to contact your local government and find out if you need one.
- Post your flyers in local coffee shops, libraries, or community centers to help spread the word that you’re having a yard sale.
- If you don’t want to sell your TV, you could also put it near the curb with a “Free” sign on it to encourage someone else to take it off your hands.

6

Take the TV to a nonprofit or secondhand store.

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Secondhand stores and nonprofits can resell your flat screen. Places like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other stores that sell used items often accept flat-screen TVs. Bring your television to a nonprofit or second-hand store near you to donate it.^{[4]
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- Call the store or nonprofit beforehand to make sure they take flat-screen TVs.

7

Donate the TV to a local school or library.

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Because libraries and schools may not have the budget for a new TV, reach out to see if they could use your old flat-screen TV. Bring the television to the school or library with all of the important cords or remotes so they can continue getting some use from it.

8

Reuse your TV as a monitor or digital display.

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If you want to make a dual monitor setup, connect the TV to your computer and use it for work, gaming, or streaming. You could also mount the TV in your home to display the weather or news at a glance.^{[5]
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9

Avoid putting your TV in your regular trash.

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Flat-screen TVs contain hazardous materials that are not safe for regular trash. Flat-screen TVs may contain heavy metals or flame retardants that can’t go in a landfill. Hold onto your TV until you’re safely able to recycle, sell, or donate it.^{[6]
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- Many states have made it illegal to put televisions in your trash, and you could get a fine if you try throwing it away.

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Tips

If you’re selling or donating your flat-screen TV, restore it back to its factory settings to get rid of any personal information saved on the device. Use the remote to navigate to the "Settings" option on your television to find the factory reset option.^{[7]
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