How to Dispose of a Flat Screen TV
Whether you’re upgrading to a new flat screen or replacing a broken one, getting rid of a flat screen TV isn’t as easy as you’d think because it’s not your typical garbage. TVs are considered “e-waste” and contain toxic substances, like mercury, that can seep into the ground and negatively impact the environment, wildlife, and human health. And while many municipalities offer bulk trash pickup days, they won’t allow you to put e-waste into your curbside recycling or trash bins because they need to be collected separately for safety.
So, if curbside collection isn’t an option, what’s left?
Selling
Between social media marketplaces, garage sales, and electronic stores, there are plenty of places to sell your flat screen TV for some extra cash. While you won’t get what you paid for it, assuming it works and is in fair condition, you could still get a pretty penny.
Donating
If your TV is in working condition, you can donate it to people in need. There are a few places around Wayne County that would gladly take a gently used TV, including:
- Habitat for Humanity
- The Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Local religious institutions
There are also local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook you could advertise to.
Repurposing
“Out with the old, in with the new” may not apply here. If your flat screen TV still works, consider repurposing it. Here are some ideas:
- Computer Monitor: Most TVs have a USB port these days, and if they don’t, adapters are relatively cheap. And with remote work becoming the new norm, a big monitor on your wall can help save desk space or make PC games much more immersive.
- Display Portrait: Instead of dotting the walls with dozens of digital photos, have your old flat screen TV show off a large family portrait.
Recycling
If your flat screen is broken and you don’t consider yourself creative or handy enough to repurpose it, recycling is your best option. Most parts of a TV, such as circuit boards, frames, plastic casing, LED screen glass, and speakers, are valuable and can be reused in other electronics.
Before you take the TV off to be recycled, there are a few things you should do first:
- Detach power cords, HDMI cables, TV stands, wall mounts, and other removable hardware.
- Don’t disassemble the TV! Electronic recycling centers will do that for you.
- Keep the TV in a dry, safe place. If the screen is broken, place it in a box with padding.
- Perform a factory reset to remove your passwords, emails, and other personal information.
- Keep what is yours, and account for remotes that don’t go with the TV.
Get Help From High Tech Recycling
High Tech Recycling is proud to be the premier electronics recycling center in the metro Detroit region, servicing Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Since our founding in 2011, we’ve been dedicated to keeping electronics out of landfills by repurposing and recycling all types of e-waste, including televisions. We accept all brands of LCD, LED, and plasma TVs, even those with broken screens, and we can also handle recycling wires, cables, and cable boxes associated with your TV.
If you have an old TV you’d like to recycle, you can drop it off at 26 W. Ypsilanti Pontiac, MI, any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, if your TV is too bulky and hard to handle, you can request a pickup here.
