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How to Recycle CRT Monitors/TVs
Cathode-ray tube TVs and computer monitors. The funnel glass is leaded. Legitimate recyclers handle them under CRT-specific rules. They are not the same stream as flat panels.
Check local acceptance$0; handling fees are common because of leaded glassLast reviewed July 28, 2026
Quick answer
CRTs are hazardous e-waste with leaded glass. EPA says color CRTs average about 4 lb of lead. Do not smash the tube. Best Buy takes tube TVs 31 inches and under for $29.99 (2/day, residential). Larger sets need haul-away, municipal, or HHW programs. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- $0; handling fees are common because of leaded glass
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Unplug and disconnect cables
- 2Do not smash, drill, or open the tube
- 3Carry upright with two people when possible
- 4Measure diagonal size before you drive to a retailer
- 5Call ahead for fees and size caps
Where to Recycle
- Best Buy (tube TVs ≤31 in., $29.99; 2/day residential)
- Municipal e-waste / HHW events
- Manufacturer or state CEW collection (especially California eRecycle)
- R2 or e-Stewards recyclers that accept CRTs
- Paid haul-away with appliance or TV delivery
Special Instructions
Broken CRT glass spreads leaded dust and risks implosion. Keep the unit intact. Best Buy's $29.99 tube drop-off is capped at 31 inches and 2 TVs or monitors per day. California and some other states treat e-waste as regulated waste with collection networks. Never put a CRT in household trash where bans apply, and avoid it everywhere as unsafe.
Environmental Impact
Color CRTs average about 4 pounds of lead in the glass (EPA; varies by size and make). Recycling recovers leaded glass through specialized processors. Landfilling or curb dumping spreads a heavy-metal hazard.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Schedule retailer or municipal haul-away for large tubes
- State covered-electronic-waste collectors in EPR states
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- CRT televisions and computer monitors within site size limits
- Working and non-working intact units
- Units missing remotes or stands
Not Accepted
- Smashed or opened CRT tubes at most retail counters
- Oversized tubes beyond the site's published limit (e.g. many 36 in.+ tubes at Best Buy drop-off)
- Business bulk without an appointment
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: $0; handling fees are common because of leaded glass
Donation
- Rare for CRTs; most charities want working flat panels only
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Leaded CRT glass (about 4 lb lead average in color CRTs per EPA)
- Phosphor coatings inside the tube
- Lead solder on circuit boards
FAQs
Why do CRTs often cost money to recycle?
Leaded glass is expensive to process safely. Retail and municipal programs often charge a handling fee that flat-panel drop-offs may not match.
Will Best Buy take my 36-inch tube TV?
Drop-off for tube TVs is generally 31 inches and under at $29.99. Larger tubes usually need haul-away, a municipal program, or a CRT-capable recycler.
Can I put a CRT on the curb with trash?
No in many states with e-waste landfill bans, and unsafe everywhere. Use a CRT-capable recycler, HHW, or retail program that lists tubes.
Are CRTs handled like flat TVs?
No. CRTs are a leaded-glass stream with tighter size caps and different fees. Flat panels follow separate fee and size rules.
What if the tube is already cracked?
Do not vacuum leaded dust yourself. Contain the unit and call your municipal HHW or a certified CRT recycler for instructions before moving it.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Flat Screen TVs
- How to recycle Computers
- How to recycle Printers
- How to recycle Smartphones
- How to recycle Gaming Consoles
- How to recycle Servers & Data-Center Equipment
- How to recycle Tablets
- How to recycle UPS Battery Backups
- How to recycle Keyboards and Mice
- How to recycle Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Recycle crt monitors/tvs
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