Quick Answer: How Do You Get Rid of an Old TV in Oregon?
Oregon has a free electronics recycling program called Oregon E-Cycles that accepts TVs, monitors, and computers at no cost. Drop off your old TV at any participating collection site, including Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and dedicated e-waste recyclers. You can also hire a professional junk removal service ($75 to $150) for pickup, especially for large or heavy CRT televisions.
Old televisions are one of the most common items people struggle to get rid of. They are too heavy for regular trash, too bulky for most recycling bins, and increasingly unwanted by donation centers overwhelmed with outdated electronics. If you have a vintage CRT television from the pre-flat-screen era, the challenge is even greater since those things can weigh 50 to 150 pounds and contain hazardous materials.
The good news for Oregon residents is that the state has one of the better electronics recycling programs in the country. Here is how to get that old TV out of your life.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon E-Cycles provides free TV and monitor recycling at collection sites across the state
- CRT televisions contain lead and must be recycled properly, never placed in regular trash
- Working flat-screen TVs can be donated to Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and other Oregon nonprofits
- Professional junk removal runs $75 to $150 and is the best option for heavy CRTs or multiple electronics
- Oregon law requires manufacturers to fund electronics recycling, so the program is free for residents
Option 1: Oregon E-Cycles (Free)
Oregon E-Cycles is the state's official electronics recycling program, established under Oregon's Electronics Recycling Law (ORS 459A.300-365). The program requires electronics manufacturers to fund free recycling for Oregon residents. This means you pay nothing to drop off a TV, computer monitor, or desktop computer.
How Oregon E-Cycles Works
- Find a collection site at the Oregon E-Cycles website or by calling 1-888-532-9253
- Bring your TV or monitor to the site during operating hours
- Drop it off at no charge
E-Cycles Collection Sites Along the I-5 Corridor
- Portland metro — Multiple Goodwill locations, Free Geek (SE Portland), and dedicated e-waste recyclers like EcoTech Recycling
- Salem — Goodwill locations and St. Vincent de Paul accept covered electronics
- Corvallis / Albany — Goodwill and local recycling centers participate
- Eugene / Springfield — St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill, and NextStep Recycling accept TVs and monitors
What E-Cycles Accepts
- All types of TVs (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma, projection)
- Computer monitors of all types
- Desktop computers, laptops, and tablets (through some sites)
What E-Cycles Does NOT Accept
- TVs from businesses (different program applies)
- Broken TVs with shattered screens leaking materials (call ahead)
- Projectors, DVD players, gaming consoles (not covered under the law, but many sites accept them anyway)
Option 2: Professional Junk Removal
If you have a massive old CRT television in your basement, or you are clearing out a house with multiple old electronics, professional junk removal saves you the trouble of loading and transporting heavy items.
Why This Makes Sense for TVs
- CRT TVs are dangerously heavy. A 32-inch CRT television can weigh over 100 pounds. Moving one down stairs is a two-person job at minimum and a back injury waiting to happen.
- Multiple electronics in one trip. If you are clearing out a room, office, or estate with several old TVs, monitors, and other electronics, a removal crew handles everything in one visit.
- Proper recycling guaranteed. Reputable junk removal companies deliver electronics to certified e-waste recyclers, not landfills.
Expect to pay $75 to $150 for a single TV pickup, or less per item if you combine TV removal with other junk.
Option 3: Retailer Take-Back
Some electronics retailers accept old TVs, especially when you are purchasing a new one:
- Best Buy — Accepts TVs up to 32 inches for free recycling at their stores. TVs larger than 32 inches cost $29.99 for recycling. Best Buy has locations in Portland, Salem, Eugene, and other Oregon cities.
- Costco — Some locations offer TV haul-away when delivering a new set. Ask at the time of purchase.
- Local electronics stores — Some independent Oregon electronics retailers offer trade-in or recycling programs.
Option 4: Donate a Working TV
If your TV still works and is a flat-screen model in decent condition, donation is a great option:
- Goodwill — Accepts working flat-screen TVs at drop-off locations across Oregon. CRTs are generally not accepted for resale.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Locations throughout the Willamette Valley accept working electronics. Some locations offer free pickup.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Accepts working electronics in Portland and Eugene.
- Free Geek (Portland) — This Portland nonprofit refurbishes electronics and provides them to people in need. They accept a wide range of electronics.
Important: Most organizations no longer accept CRT televisions for resale. If your old TV is a tube-style CRT, recycling through Oregon E-Cycles is your best bet.
Option 5: Transfer Station Drop-Off
If the Oregon E-Cycles collection sites near you are inconvenient, you can also bring TVs to Metro transfer stations in the Portland area and county transfer stations elsewhere along the I-5 corridor. Be aware that transfer stations may charge a fee for electronics disposal, while E-Cycles sites are free.
Special Considerations for CRT TVs
Cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions deserve special attention because they contain significant amounts of lead, typically four to eight pounds per TV. This lead is in the glass of the tube and can leach into groundwater if the TV ends up in a landfill.
Because of the lead content:
- CRT TVs cannot go in regular trash. Oregon DEQ prohibits disposal of CRT devices in standard landfills.
- CRT TVs are heavy and fragile. Handle with care during transport. A broken CRT can release lead dust.
- Recycling is essential. Certified e-waste recyclers separate the leaded glass for proper processing. The lead, copper, and other materials are recovered safely.
- Free recycling is available. Oregon E-Cycles covers CRT TVs at no cost to residents.
Oregon E-Waste Law Explained
Oregon's Electronics Recycling Law, enacted in 2007 and updated in 2015, requires electronics manufacturers to fund a free collection and recycling program for Oregon residents. Key points:
- Covered devices: TVs, monitors, and desktop computers. Laptops and tablets are covered through some collection sites.
- Manufacturer responsibility: Companies that sell electronics in Oregon must register with DEQ and pay into the recycling program based on their market share.
- Free for residents: The program is funded by manufacturers, not taxpayers. Oregon residents pay nothing to drop off covered devices.
- Certified recycling: All collected electronics must be processed by certified recyclers who meet environmental and worker safety standards.
What NOT to Do with an Old TV
- Do not put it in the regular trash. TVs contain hazardous materials including lead, mercury, and cadmium. Oregon prohibits their disposal in standard waste streams.
- Do not dump it. Illegal dumping of electronics in Oregon carries fines and is an environmental hazard.
- Do not smash or disassemble a CRT. Breaking a CRT releases lead dust that is harmful to inhale. Leave disassembly to certified recyclers with proper equipment.
- Do not leave it on the curb hoping someone takes it. Unwanted CRT TVs left curbside often end up illegally dumped. Use a proper disposal channel.
Old TVs Taking Up Space?
Otesse picks up old TVs, monitors, and electronics across Oregon. We handle the heavy lifting and ensure responsible recycling through certified e-waste processors.
Schedule TV Removal or call us at 541-844-2585
