Quick Verdict
CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and TVs are hazardous waste because each unit contains 4 to 8 pounds of lead in the glass tube. They cannot be put in regular trash, cannot go in curbside bulk pickup, and will be refused at most landfills. Oregon offers free CRT drop-off through the Oregon E-Cycles program at certified recyclers statewide. For homeowners who cannot self-haul, a junk removal service can bundle CRTs into a broader pickup. Never dismantle a CRT yourself -- the tube can implode and injure you.
If you have been holding onto an old computer monitor or a tube TV in the garage, this guide covers the legal and safe options.
Why CRT Disposal Is Regulated
A CRT is essentially a giant vacuum-sealed glass tube with an electron gun at one end and a phosphor-coated screen at the other. The glass is leaded -- each standard computer CRT has roughly 4 pounds of lead in the screen, and a CRT television can have 6 to 8 pounds. That lead was essential for blocking X-ray radiation during operation.
When a CRT is crushed or broken, the lead can leach into soil and groundwater. Federal EPA rules (40 CFR 261) treat a discarded CRT as hazardous waste because of the leaded funnel glass, with a household exemption and a conditional exclusion for CRTs headed to recycling, and Oregon's E-Cycles law (ORS 459A.305) bans TVs and monitors from landfills regardless. Unlicensed handlers who break CRTs and send fragments to landfill are violating both federal and state law. Our what qualifies as hazardous waste article covers the broader category.
Oregon E-Cycles: The Free Option
Oregon E-Cycles is a statewide program that accepts CRT monitors and TVs for free from residents, small businesses (fewer than 10 employees), nonprofits, and public entities. Key facts:
- Free drop-off at participating locations
- 7 items per visit per person
- Works for TVs, computer monitors, laptops, desktop computers, printers, keyboards, and mice
- Certified recyclers handle the lead glass safely
Find an Oregon E-Cycles location near you on the program's official list. Portland metro has locations in Southeast, Northeast, Northwest, and across the river in Vancouver (Washington counts for some providers). Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, and Corvallis all have drop-off points.
Our oregon electronics recycling law explained article covers the program in detail.
Junk Removal: When Self-Haul Is Not Practical
For CRTs that are too heavy for the homeowner (19-inch and larger CRT TVs can weigh 60 to 150+ pounds), or for multiple CRTs bundled with other cleanout items, a junk removal service is the practical option. Pricing tiers:
- Single CRT pickup (home office monitor): bundled cheaply if combined with other items
- Multiple CRTs (garage cleanout, estate): standard multi-item pickup rates
- Large CRT TV (tube television 27 inches or larger): heavier than most residential furniture, but still a single-item pickup
Industry Baseline Range
| What is being priced | Published national range |
|---|---|
| Oregon E-Cycles drop-off | Free: up to 7 computers, monitors, TVs, printers per visit |
Source: Oregon DEQ, "Oregon E-Cycles" program page.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Baseline ranges assume disposal-only scenarios. Because E-Cycles is free, most homeowners choose self-haul whenever possible. The situations that justify paying a junk removal service are: multiple heavy CRT TVs that the homeowner cannot lift, CRTs that are buried under other garage accumulation that needs to come out too, or estate scenarios where the CRTs are one line item among many. Sending a single CRT to a paid haul when a free drop-off is 10 minutes away does not make economic sense.
What moves the price
| Scope | How it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Self-haul to an Oregon E-Cycles site | Free, within the per-visit item limit |
| Junk removal pickup of a single CRT TV | A small paid pickup, heavier sets cost more |
| CRT bundled with other e-waste | Usually priced as a minimum load |
| Estate with multiple CRTs and tube TVs | Part of a broader cleanout |
Oregon E-Cycles program rules can change, so check current rates and item limits before a trip. For a paid pickup, enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Safety Rules: Do Not Disassemble
This is critical. A CRT tube is under partial vacuum. If you break the tube -- even accidentally during transport -- the implosion sends leaded glass fragments in all directions. People have been seriously injured. The internal shielding can also retain a high-voltage charge even after the unit is unplugged for years.
Rules:
- Do not smash a CRT to fit it in a trash bag or to make it smaller.
- Do not remove the screen or take apart the casing.
- Do not stack heavy items on top of a CRT during storage or transport.
- Transport CRTs upright and secured, not loose.
The certified E-Cycles recyclers have specialized crushers that operate in sealed environments to contain glass and lead. That is why you hand it to them intact.
Identifying a CRT
Not every old monitor or TV is a CRT. If the unit is:
- Thick and heavy (more than 20 pounds for a small monitor, 40+ for a TV)
- Deep front-to-back (often 16 inches or more deep)
- With a curved glass screen (modern flat CRTs are rare but exist)
...it is a CRT. Flat-panel LCD, plasma, and LED TVs and monitors are not CRTs -- they have their own e-waste handling through E-Cycles but without the lead-glass hazard. See our how to dispose of an old tv article for the flat-panel side.
What Happens to CRTs After Drop-Off
Certified recyclers process CRTs in one of two ways:
- Closed-loop recycling: The lead glass is separated and sent to a smelter that recovers the lead for reuse. This is the preferred path under EPA rules.
- Encapsulation and permitted hazardous landfill: Lead glass that cannot be recycled goes to a hazardous-waste permitted landfill where it is encapsulated and tracked.
Reputable recyclers publish their downstream chain. Oregon E-Cycles certifies processors under the R2 or e-Stewards standards. See our e-waste recycling certifications explained piece for more.
Other CRT-Class Devices
The same rules apply to:
- CRT televisions (tube TVs)
- Projection CRT TVs (the rear-projection units from the 2000s)
- Vintage computer CRTs (monochrome green/amber screens, old color monitors)
- Some vintage arcade machines (see our related arcade removal article)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a CRT at the curb for trash pickup? No. Oregon curbside trash services do not accept CRTs, and leaving one at the curb can result in a fine from the local waste hauler or illegal dumping enforcement.
Do I need to wipe the hard drive before disposing of a CRT monitor? The monitor itself does not contain data. If you have a desktop computer with an internal hard drive being disposed at the same time, wipe or physically destroy the drive before drop-off.
What if the CRT is still working -- can I donate it? Donation is possible but limited. Goodwill and most thrift stores no longer accept CRT monitors or TVs because they cannot sell them. Some vintage computing enthusiasts and gamers specifically collect CRTs for retro gaming. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are the best channels for working CRTs.
Can I take a CRT TV to the landfill? Most Oregon landfills and transfer stations will refuse CRTs or redirect you to E-Cycles. Some transfer stations accept them for a fee. Call ahead.
What about a projection TV? Projection TVs contain multiple small CRT tubes. Disposal follows the same rules. E-Cycles accepts them, though some locations have size restrictions (70-inch projection TVs may need special handling).
Scheduling Pickup
If you have multiple CRTs or a broader cleanout underway, bundling into a junk removal call makes sense. Contact Otesse or visit our Otesse junk removal page. For single-item self-haul, Oregon E-Cycles is the free path.
