CRT TV Disposal Cost: What You'll Actually Pay (by State + Country)
Cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and monitors contain 2-8 lb (1-3.5 kg) of lead in the funnel glass plus toxic phosphors on the screen. That makes them universal waste in most US states and WEEE hazardous in the UK and EU. They cannot go to regular landfill or curbside trash. A typical 32-inch CRT TV costs $15-$45 to dispose of in the US and £10-£35 in the UK, depending on state law and your chosen route.
This lookup gives you live pricing by US state and country, drop-off vs pickup options, and where free disposal is still available. Sources: state EPA published e-waste rules, NCSL state law database (current January 2026), Best Buy 2026 published fee schedule, and UK council household-waste-and-recycling-centre rules.
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Why CRT TVs cost money to dispose of (when newer TVs don't)
CRT TVs were manufactured between roughly 1928 and 2010. Every one contains:
- Leaded glass funnel: 2-8 lb of lead per TV (yes, pounds). Used to shield viewers from CRT X-ray emissions. Cannot be melted in standard glass recyclers.
- Phosphor coating: rare-earth phosphors (zinc sulphide, yttrium, europium) on the inside of the screen. Classified as hazardous in EU.
- Cadmium in some color phosphors (pre-1990 sets).
- Mercury in some 1990s models with backlight inverters.
Processing costs $0.30-$0.60/lb in the US for compliant CRT recycling - most of which goes to lead-glass disposal at specialist smelters. Only ~8 US CRT recycling plants remain operational (Doe Run Resources in Missouri shut its CRT line in 2018, leaving Closed Loop Refining + Recovery, Dlubak Specialty Glass, and a handful of others).
The state-by-state US picture
25 US states have mandatory e-waste laws covering CRT TVs:
| State | Law | Resident cost | Take-back fee at retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | SB 20 + 50 (2003) - ARF | Free (covered by Advanced Recycling Fee at original sale) | $0 |
| New York | NY E-Waste Recycling Act 2010 | Free (manufacturer take-back funded) | $0 |
| Texas | HB 821 (2007), HB 2714 (2011) | Free for residential (manufacturer-funded) | $0 |
| Illinois | EPA Act 415 ILCS 150 (2008) | Free drop-off at participating retailers | $0 (Best Buy, Staples) |
| Florida | No state law (some county programs) | $20-$45 per CRT | $25-$50 at Best Buy |
| Georgia | No state law | $25-$50 per CRT | $30-$60 at Best Buy |
| Arizona | No state law | $20-$45 per CRT | $25-$50 at Best Buy |
Best Buy's 2026 published rate: $29.99 per CRT TV up to 32", $49.99 over 32" nationally, with free pickup if you're buying a replacement TV.
UK + EU: the WEEE route
Under UK WEEE Regulations 2013 and the EU WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU, retailers selling a new TV are required to take back the old TV free of charge (one-for-one). Currys, Argos, John Lewis all offer this - they handle the disposal cost behind the scenes via Producer Compliance Schemes.
- UK: free drop-off at any Household Waste & Recycling Centre (council-run). New TV purchase = free take-back of old.
- EU member states: same rule. Retailers must accept like-for-like with no fee.
- Independent disposal (no new TV purchase): £10-£35 if you book a private removal company. £20-£60 for council bulky-waste collection if your council charges (some still don't).
Free options across all regions
Five reliable free routes regardless of country:
- Best Buy (US) trade-in + free disposal: free take-back of old TV when you buy any new TV in-store, regardless of brand
- Currys (UK) recycling service: free take-back on new TV purchase, even online - pickup included
- Municipal e-waste days: most US counties + UK councils hold 2-4 free e-waste collection days per year. Use the locator tool below to find yours.
- Goodwill (US) + British Heart Foundation (UK): accept working CRT TVs for resale. Won't take broken/cracked.
- Freecycle / Facebook Marketplace: surprisingly active demand from retro-gaming hobbyists who specifically want CRTs for authentic 90s game console video output. Working 14-32" CRTs sometimes sell for $40-$150.
What NOT to do with a CRT TV
- Don't leave it on the curb. Illegal in 25 US states + all UK/EU. £400-£5,000 fine in UK under Environmental Protection Act 1990 + Fly Tipping enforcement.
- Don't smash the screen. Implosion hazard + releases lead dust + sharp glass. CRTs are vacuum tubes - they implode when broken.
- Don't try to recycle the leaded glass yourself. No legitimate consumer market for leaded glass cullet.
- Don't ship it. CRTs are UN 3077 (Environmentally hazardous) for transport. Standard couriers refuse.