That old tube TV in the garage, the dead laptop in the closet, the tangle of cables nobody recognizes anymore — electronics pile up fast, and getting rid of them in California isn’t as simple as tossing them in the trash. The state has some of the strictest e-waste laws in the country, and dumping electronics in your regular bin is illegal. If you live in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, or Orange County, here’s exactly how to dispose of old TVs and electronics the right way in 2026 — and when it makes sense to call a junk removal crew to handle it for you.
California classifies most electronics as hazardous waste. Old TVs and monitors — especially the heavy cathode ray tube (CRT) models — contain lead, mercury, and other toxic materials that can leach into soil and groundwater. Under the state’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act, it’s against the law to put these items in landfill-bound trash or curbside bins.
The good news: California built a statewide recycling system funded by a fee you already paid when you bought the device. That means recycling covered electronics — TVs, computers, monitors, and laptops — is free at certified collection sites across Southern California.
“E-waste” covers a wide range of household and office electronics. The most common items we haul away in Southern California include:
One change to know about for 2026: California now folds battery-embedded products — like wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, and some tablets — into its covered electronics recycling program. These items have built-in batteries that need special handling, so they shouldn’t go in the trash either.
Every county in Southern California has certified e-waste collectors where you can drop off covered electronics for free. Los Angeles County, San Bernardino and Riverside counties (the Inland Empire), and Orange County all run permanent collection centers plus periodic community collection events. This is a solid option if you have one or two small items and a way to transport them.
Many electronics retailers accept old devices for recycling, and some offer take-back when you buy a replacement. If you’re upgrading your TV, ask whether the store will haul off the old one. Coverage varies by retailer and item, so call ahead.
If you’ve got a 200-pound console TV, an office full of dead computers, or you simply don’t want to load a truck and drive across town, junk removal is the easy route. A crew comes to your home or business, carries the electronics out — even from a second-floor office or a cluttered garage — and makes sure everything is routed to a certified recycler. You don’t lift a thing.
Here’s where a lot of people get confused. California charges an electronic waste recycling fee — currently in the range of $4 to $6 per covered device — but that fee is paid at the time of purchase, not when you dispose of the item. So when you recycle a covered TV or monitor at a certified site, there’s no fee at the door. The system is already paid for. That’s why legitimate e-waste recyclers can accept your old electronics at no cost.
Before you part with any computer, laptop, phone, or tablet, erase your personal data. A quick factory reset removes most account logins, but for hard drives storing sensitive financial or business records, a full wipe — or physically removing the drive — gives you real peace of mind. Reputable recyclers handle data destruction responsibly, but the safest move is to clear your own devices first.
Drop-off works fine for a single small device. But junk removal earns its keep when you’re dealing with:
Because we’re already loading the truck, we can take your e-waste alongside furniture, appliances, and general clutter in a single trip — and route each item to the right recycler so nothing ends up in a landfill it shouldn’t.
911 Junk CA provides fast, eco-friendly electronics and TV removal across Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Orange County. We do the heavy lifting, follow California’s e-waste rules, and make sure your old devices are recycled responsibly. Ready to clear out that pile of dead electronics? Contact 911 Junk CA today for a free, no-obligation quote.
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