Why You Cannot Throw Away a TV
Televisions contain a cocktail of hazardous materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Because of this, Oregon has banned TVs from landfills since 2010 under the Oregon E-Cycles program. Putting a TV in your regular trash is illegal and can result in your hauler refusing the entire load or charging you a penalty fee.
Old CRT (tube) televisions are particularly problematic because they contain 4 to 8 pounds of lead in the glass. Flat-screen TVs (LCD, LED, plasma) contain less lead but still have mercury in their backlights and other hazardous components that require proper handling.
The good news is that Oregon has one of the best electronics recycling programs in the country, and there are multiple free options for getting rid of your old TV.
Oregon E-Cycles Program
Oregon E-Cycles is the state's free electronics recycling program, funded by manufacturers of TVs, computers, and monitors. Oregon residents can drop off TVs, computers, and monitors at designated collection sites at no cost.
How It Works
- Find a collection site at the Oregon E-Cycles website or call their hotline.
- There are over 80 collection sites statewide, including locations in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, and most other Oregon cities.
- The program accepts TVs of any brand, any size, and any type (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma).
- There is no cost to the consumer. Manufacturers pay for the program.
- Some sites have limits on quantity (typically 7 items per trip for residential drop-offs).
What Happens to Your TV
Collected TVs are sent to certified recyclers who disassemble them and recover valuable materials: glass, metals, plastics, and circuit boards. Hazardous materials like lead and mercury are safely contained and processed. Oregon E-Cycles requires all processors to meet strict environmental and worker safety standards.
Professional Electronics Removal
If you cannot transport the TV yourself — maybe it is a large flat-screen mounted on a wall, or a heavy old CRT in a basement — professional electronics removal is the convenient option.
What to Expect
- Cost: $50 to $125 depending on TV size and type. CRT TVs cost more because of their weight and hazardous material handling.
- Timeline: Same-day or next-day pickup in Portland, Eugene, Salem, and surrounding areas.
- Wall-mounted TVs: Most crews will unmount the TV and remove the wall bracket if requested.
- Multiple electronics: If you have other e-waste (computers, monitors, printers), bundling reduces the per-item cost significantly.
Professional removal makes sense when you have a heavy CRT TV (some 36-inch models weigh over 200 pounds), when the TV is in an awkward location, or when you have multiple electronics to get rid of at once. Learn more about how to recycle electronics in our comprehensive guide.
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Buying a new TV? Some retailers will take your old one.
- Best Buy — Accepts up to three items per household per day for recycling at their stores. TVs up to 32 inches are free. Larger TVs may incur a $30 to $50 recycling fee. They accept all TV types.
- Staples — Accepts some electronics for recycling but has limited TV acceptance. Check with your local store.
- Costco — Offers haul-away of old electronics with delivery of new ones in some cases.
Electronics Recycling Centers
Beyond Oregon E-Cycles sites, several dedicated electronics recyclers operate in Oregon.
- Free Geek (Portland) — Accepts TVs and all electronics. They refurbish working equipment for donation and responsibly recycle everything else.
- NextStep Recycling (Eugene) — Lane County's electronics recycler. Accepts TVs, monitors, and all e-waste.
- Goodwill Industries — Some Oregon Goodwill locations are Oregon E-Cycles collection sites and accept TVs.
- Metro transfer stations (Portland) — Have dedicated electronics recycling areas separate from general waste.
For a broader look at electronics recycling, including computers, phones, and other devices, check our guide on how to dispose of electronics and e-waste.
Donating a Working TV
If the TV still works well, donation keeps it in use and out of the recycling stream.
- Goodwill — Accepts working flat-screen TVs. CRTs are generally not accepted for resale anymore.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Some locations accept working TVs. Call ahead to confirm.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Accepts working electronics including flat-screen TVs.
- Community organizations — Shelters, community centers, and after-school programs may welcome a working TV. Contact them directly.
Be realistic about your TV's donation potential. A 10-year-old LCD TV that still works has value. A 20-year-old CRT TV does not — take it to recycling instead.
Special Considerations for CRT TVs
If you still have a cathode ray tube (CRT) television — the old boxy kind with the heavy glass tube — disposal requires extra planning.
Why CRTs Are Harder to Dispose Of
- Weight: A 32-inch CRT can weigh 150 pounds or more. Moving it safely requires two people and proper lifting technique.
- Lead content: CRT glass contains 4 to 8 pounds of lead, which is hazardous waste.
- Declining recycling options: As CRT TVs become rarer, fewer recyclers accept them, and some charge fees for processing.
- No resale value: Donation centers generally will not accept CRTs because they cannot sell them.
Best Options for CRT TVs
- Oregon E-Cycles — Still accepts CRT TVs at no cost. This is the best free option.
- Free Geek (Portland) — Accepts CRT monitors and TVs.
- Professional junk removal — If you cannot transport it, a junk removal crew can handle the heavy lifting and ensure proper recycling.
Cost Comparison
| Method | Cost | Effort | TV Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon E-Cycles drop-off | Free | Medium | All types |
| Free Geek / NextStep | Free | Medium | All types |
| Best Buy drop-off (under 32") | Free | Medium | All types |
| Best Buy drop-off (over 32") | $30-$50 | Medium | All types |
| Donation (working flat-screen) | Free | Low | Flat-screen only |
| Professional junk removal | $50-$125 | None | All types |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a TV in the trash?
No. Oregon bans TVs from landfills. Your waste hauler will not accept a TV in regular trash or even as a bulky item pickup in most cases. Use Oregon E-Cycles or another recycling option.
What about a broken TV?
Oregon E-Cycles accepts broken TVs. Professional recyclers like Free Geek and NextStep also take non-working units. The materials are still recyclable even if the TV does not work.
Can I remove the screen and recycle the parts separately?
For flat-screen TVs, there is no practical reason to disassemble them — take them whole to a recycler. For CRT TVs, do not attempt to disassemble them yourself. The vacuum tube inside can implode, and the lead-containing glass dust is hazardous. Leave CRT disassembly to professionals.
Does Oregon E-Cycles accept computer monitors too?
Yes. The program covers TVs, desktop computers, laptops, and computer monitors. Learn more about all your options in our guide on how to dispose of electronics.
