Got an old TV gathering dust in your garage? Maybe a busted laptop, a stack of dead monitors, or a tangled pile of cables in the back of your closet? You’re not alone. The average Southern California household holds onto four to six unused electronics at any time, and most folks have no idea what to do with them. Throwing them in the regular trash isn’t just bad for the planet — it’s illegal in California. Here’s everything Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and Orange County homeowners need to know about disposing of old TVs and electronics in 2026.
California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20) classifies televisions, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, and smart displays as hazardous waste. These devices contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxic materials that leach into groundwater when sent to a landfill. Putting them in your curbside bin is a violation of state law and can result in fines.
Starting January 1, 2026, SB 1215 expanded the Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program to include battery-embedded products like cordless tools, electronic toys, and small kitchen appliances — meaning even more devices now require special handling than ever before.
Under current CalRecycle rules, “Covered Electronic Waste” includes:
Other electronics — printers, cell phones, gaming consoles, stereos, microwaves — aren’t “covered” under SB 20 but still cannot legally go in the regular trash. They must be taken to a certified recycler or hauled away by a junk removal company that partners with one.
Because California consumers already pay an Electronic Waste Recycling Fee of $4 to $6 per device at the time of purchase, most TV and computer drop-off recycling is free. Here are your local options across SoCal:
OC residents can take TVs, monitors, tablets, and cell phones to any of the four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, or San Juan Capistrano at no cost. Goodwill of Orange County also accepts working and non-working electronics at most donation centers.
LA Sanitation runs SAFE Centers in San Pedro, Sun Valley, Hyde Park, and other neighborhoods that accept e-waste year-round. Certified private recyclers like Sunada Recycling in Paramount also accept TVs and monitors free of charge. Best Buy and Staples take small electronics like keyboards, mice, and phone chargers.
San Bernardino and Riverside counties operate Household Hazardous Waste facilities in Fontana, Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Hesperia. Most are open Friday and Saturday and accept up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of e-waste per visit at no cost to residents.
Big-screen TVs over 50 inches, old console TVs, and large pile-ups of office electronics aren’t easy to load into a car. Old CRT tube TVs can weigh more than 100 pounds. That’s where a full-service junk removal team like 911 Junk CA comes in. We pick up, haul, and dispose of all your old electronics — and we handle the trip to a certified recycler so you never have to.
Because free drop-off options are widely available, the cost of TV and electronics removal in Southern California is really the cost of convenience and labor. Typical 2026 pricing in our service area:
Pricing depends on volume, weight, location, and accessibility — second-floor offices, narrow staircases, and basement pickups can add to the labor cost. 911 Junk CA offers transparent flat-rate pricing with no surprise fees and no hidden disposal charges.
Take it yourself if:
Hire a junk removal team if:
A certified e-waste recycler dismantles each device, separates plastics from metals, and ensures hazardous components — lead-glass CRTs, mercury-backlit LCDs, and lithium batteries — are processed at licensed facilities. Reusable parts get refurbished and resold. This keeps more than 1.5 million pounds of toxic material out of California landfills each year, and most of it is fully traceable through CalRecycle’s certified program.
We service Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Orange County seven days a week with same-day and next-day pickups. Our team handles all the heavy lifting, hauls everything to a certified recycler, and provides a flat-rate quote up front. No hidden fees, no dumping in landfills, and no headaches for you.
Ready to clear out those old TVs, monitors, and gadgets cluttering up your home or office? Contact 911 Junk CA for a free, no-obligation quote. Call us or book online — most appointments are confirmed within 24 hours, and same-day service is available across Southern California.
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