How to Dispose of an Old TV in California (2026 Guide)

Got an old TV gathering dust in your garage? Maybe a heavy CRT, a busted plasma, or a cracked flat-screen the kids took out with a Wii remote? Throwing it in the curbside bin in California isn’t an option — it’s actually illegal. Here’s exactly how to legally and affordably get rid of an old TV in Southern California in 2026.

Why You Can’t Just Throw a TV in the Trash in California

California treats televisions as Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20). CRT (tube) televisions contain up to 8 pounds of lead in the glass, plus mercury and cadmium in the circuit boards. Flat-screen LCD and plasma TVs contain mercury-vapor backlights and brominated flame retardants — all hazardous to groundwater if landfilled.

Tossing a TV in your residential trash in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, or San Bernardino County can earn you fines starting at $100 per item, and your hauler will refuse the bin if they catch it. CRT TVs in particular are banned from California landfills outright.

Free TV Recycling Options in Southern California

The good news: California funds a statewide e-waste program through the Advance Recycling Fee you paid when you bought the TV. That makes most disposal options free if you can get the set to a drop-off.

1. CalRecycle-Approved Collection Centers

CalRecycle maintains a public list of approved Covered Electronic Waste collectors. Many SoCal cities run free year-round or monthly drop-offs:

• Los Angeles County — S.A.F.E. Collection Centers in Sun Valley, Gaffey, Hyperion, and Glendale accept TVs free, year-round.
• Orange County — Free e-waste drop-off at Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano landfill sites.
• Riverside County — Permanent HHW/E-Waste sites in Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Palm Desert.
• San Bernardino County — Free monthly e-waste roundups; schedule posted at sbcounty.gov.

You’ll need a California driver’s license and proof of residency. Most centers cap free drop-offs at 7 items per visit.

2. Big-Box Retailer Haul-Away Programs

• Best Buy — Free in-store recycling for TVs up to 50 inches. They charge roughly $50 to haul away and recycle one TV when delivering a new one.
• Staples — Free for small electronics; not for TVs.
• Goodwill (Dell Reconnect program) — Accepts working flat-screens at most SoCal locations.

3. Manufacturer Take-Back Programs

Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio all run free mail-back or partner drop-off recycling. Vizio — headquartered in Irvine, CA — has one of the most generous programs for Southern California residents.

Donating a Working TV in SoCal

If your TV still works and is HD or newer, donate it before recycling:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (LA, Long Beach, Anaheim, Riverside) — accepts working flat-screens 32″ or larger.
• Salvation Army — schedules free pickup of working TVs in most SoCal ZIP codes.
• Out of the Closet and St. Vincent de Paul — accept smaller working sets at their thrift stores.

Important: charities will not accept CRT (tube) TVs, rear-projection TVs, or anything cracked or non-working. Don’t try to dump on them — you’ll just create a hazardous-waste headache for a non-profit.

When to Hire a Junk Removal Company

Drop-off is free, but it isn’t free in your time. Hire a junk removal crew when:

• The TV is too heavy to lift safely — most CRT 27″+ sets weigh 70–120 lbs.
• You’re pulling a wall-mount down and need the bracket removed too.
• You don’t have a truck, SUV, or anyone to help carry it.
• You’re clearing out a whole estate, garage, or office and have multiple TVs alongside other junk.
• You’re moving and the closing date is tight.

How Much Does TV Removal Cost in Southern California?

If you’re paying a hauler to take just the TV, expect 2026 SoCal pricing in this range:

• Single flat-screen pickup: $75–$125 minimum (most companies have a base trip fee).
• CRT or projection TV: $95–$175 — heavier and costlier to recycle.
• Multiple TVs plus other junk (truckload): $200–$650 depending on volume.

Bundle the TV with a couch, mattress, or general garage cleanout and the per-item cost drops significantly.

How 911 Junk CA Handles TV Disposal

At 911 Junk CA, every TV we pick up across LA, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino goes to a CalRecycle-approved e-waste processor — never to a landfill. We pull the set from anywhere on your property (upstairs bedrooms, mounted on a living-room wall, the back of the garage), sweep up afterward, and email you a recycling receipt for your records.

We’re licensed, insured, and family-operated — same crew, same trucks, every job. No surprise upcharges, no third-party subcontractors, no leaving you holding a $100 fine because someone illegally dumped your set down the road.

Quick FAQs

Can I leave my TV at the curb on bulky-item day?
No. Most SoCal cities specifically exclude Covered Electronic Waste from bulky pickup. Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana all reject TVs left at the curb.

What if my TV is broken?
Doesn’t matter — recycling centers and junk haulers take broken sets. They’re recycled for the metals, glass, and circuitry.

Are CRT TVs harder to dispose of?
Yes. They contain leaded glass, weigh 2–3x as much as a comparable flat-screen, and fewer charities accept them. Junk removal is usually the easiest path.

Do you take TVs from apartments or condos?
Yes — we’ll come up the stairs or in the elevator and dolly it out. Just point at the set.

Ready to Get That Old TV Out of Your Garage?

911 Junk CA offers free, no-obligation quotes across Southern California, with same-day and next-day pickup available 7 days a week. We handle the lifting, the loading, and the legal recycling so you don’t have to. Call (909) 244-1646 or book online for a free quote today.