Getting a new television is always exciting, but you may wonder what to do with the old one. Televisions can’t be set out on the curb for regular trash pickup, and sending them to the landfill can be wasteful and harmful to the environment.
Televisions are replaced more often as they have become much more affordable and technologically advanced. Whether you’re replacing a broken TV or simply upgrading from an old model, you have options.
If you have an old television you’re unsure what to do with, we’re here to help. Explore 4 ideas on dealing with your unwanted TV.
What Are the Dangers of Throwing Out an Old TV?
Throwing out an old TV could have damaging effects on the environment. Televisions and other electronic waste aren’t biodegradable and can emit harmful pollutants that seep into the soil and end up in the water supply. Under California law, sending a television to the landfill is illegal.
Older TVs with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain lead, which can leach into a water supply. Most TVs also contain other heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, which produce similarly harmful effects.
Protecting your data is another concern when throwing out your TV. Smart TVs store all sorts of personal information, such as passwords, addresses, and credit card details. Throwing your TV out before wiping the data runs the risk of your personal information falling into the wrong hands. Log out of your accounts, erase saved data, and perform a factory reset before disposing of your electronics to avoid a violation of your data.
Can You Do Anything With an Old TV?
Sell Your TV
New TVs are quite the investment, so you’ll probably want to get some money back for your old one. Unfortunately, used TVs drop in value fairly quickly, so you won’t get much for yours if it sells at all. However, it doesn’t hurt to try.
Post your TV on local marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Avoid shipping a television as it will likely not survive the trip, and you’ll have to return the buyer’s money. Having the buyer pick it up is the best way to get it off your hands without much hassle.
Specify your TV’s dimensions and weight in the ad to ensure the buyer can transport it. Provide images of the product and be honest about its condition. Wipe the data from your TV and perform a factory reset to prevent any personal data breaches.
If you have several other items you’re looking to dispose of, consider hosting a yard sale. Yard sales attract your neighbors and the surrounding community, and the closer someone lives, the more likely they are to haul your old TV away. Keep an extension cord and the remote handy for potential buyers to ensure the television still works.
Donate Your TV
Simply because televisions depreciate quickly doesn’t mean they’re useless. Local charities and nonprofit organizations can use your old electronics, and some may have volunteers to pick them up.
Ask friends and family if they need a TV. Many homes have a TV in every room, so you may know someone with an empty room in need of a screen. Consider listing your TV on a local marketplace for free pickup. You won’t have to worry about transporting it, and it’ll be out of your hands sooner.
Alternatively, drop your TV off at a secondhand retailer such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army. You won’t make money from the sale, but you’ll be relieved of the stress sooner. Contact your local thrift store to ensure they’ll accept your TV.
eWaste Collective is a nonprofit organization that collects and rehomes televisions and other electronics. They’ll even accept your broken electronics, attempt to fix them, and find them a new home.
Consider donating your TV before recycling it. Donating ensures that no e-waste is produced before the end of its lifecycle.
Need Help with Electronics Removal in the Bay Area, CA?
Nixxit Junk Removal can help with your electronics removal needs in the Bay Area.
- Fully Licensed and Insured
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Full-Service Removal and Sorting
- Donation and Recycling
Recycle Your TV
If your television no longer works, you’ll have to dispose of it at a recycling center. Drop your TV off at a local recycling center to ensure it’s disposed of properly and minimize the amount of e-waste produced.
Some areas offer TV recycling as part of your curbside pickup. Contact your local recycling service for details. Many manufacturers have their recycling programs, though drop-off locations may be out of reach. Recology allows you to drop off up to 30 electronics for free a month and offers 1-2 bulky curbside pickups a year.
Best Buy accepts old electronics, even broken ones. You’ll have to drop your TV off yourself, and they charge a fee for larger televisions. If you’re having them install your new TV, they can haul away your old one for a fee.
Hire a Junk Removal Service
If you’re unsure how to deal with your old television or don’t have time, hiring a third party to handle your television may be the most convenient option. Junk removal vendors will take the TV off your hands and dispose of it responsibly. Hiring a third party is especially useful if you have a large TV that requires a team to move.
Nixxit is equipped to handle all your television and other electronic removal needs. Our team can haul away your items and transport them. We donate everything we can and recycle everything else.
As a Certified Bay Area Green Business, Nixxit practices sustainable disposal to meet a landfill diversion rate of 80%.
Is Your Old TV Actually Worth Anything?
Your old television’s worth depends on many factors. Modern high-end televisions, OLED TVs, and televisions larger than 65 inches hold much more value than LCD or plasma flat screens and televisions older than ten years. CRT TVs can be valuable to retro hobbyists in specific situations.
The condition of your television also impacts its value. If it’s in working condition, someone can use it, but you’re better off donating working TVs with a lot of wear. In fact, the secondhand TV market is so saturated that only high-end televisions in near-perfect condition will get you a decent return. Do not expect to receive nearly as much as you paid for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Leave a TV by the Dumpster?
You shouldn’t leave a TV by the dumpster. Televisions and other electronic waste emit harmful pollutants into the environment if disposed of improperly. Old TVs should be recycled to reduce e-waste. In addition, sending a TV to the landfill is illegal in several states, including California.
How Do I Dispose of an Unwanted TV?
Televisions must be disposed of at a recycling center. Doing so minimizes the amount of e-waste produced. Drop off your TV at a local recycling center or inquire about curbside pickup. Or, hiring a junk removal company like Nixxit to dispose of the TV for you.
Need Help With TV Removal in the Bay Area, CA? We Can Help.
Disposing of your TV can be a hassle. However, you have several options to do so responsibly. Selling or donating ensures it stays out of the landfill, while recycling is the only way to dispose of it and minimize the amount of e-waste produced.
Nixxit can lift the burden of getting rid of your old TV. We use our long resource list to find a new home for your old belongings. Rest assured that your television will be taken care of responsibly with Nixxit. Schedule an appointment today or contact us to learn more about our television removal services.
