How to dispose of old TVs and monitors safely
Old tellies and monitors contain glass, metals and sometimes mercury or lead. Here’s why they need proper recycling and the easiest ways to get rid of them.
· 2 min read · By the WEEE Want Your Waste team
The short version
- Screens are electrical waste and can’t go in your household bin or a skip.
- Older CRT sets contain leaded glass, and some flat screens have mercury backlights.
- Don’t break or dismantle a screen yourself. Keep it intact for collection.
Why screens need special handling
Old “box” TVs and monitors use cathode ray tubes with leaded glass. Many earlier flat screens are lit by fluorescent tubes that contain a small amount of mercury. Newer LED screens are cleaner but still contain circuit boards and metals worth recovering. All of them need recycling through an authorised treatment facility.
Your options
- Retailer take-back when you buy a new screen.
- Your local tip, which will accept TVs from residents.
- Charity reuse, if the screen is working and fairly modern.
- A licensed collector, the easiest route for large TVs or several screens at once.
Clearing screens from an office
Offices often have rows of old monitors after an upgrade. They can go on one collection with your PCs and laptops. See our TV and monitor disposal service and our guide to disposing of IT without a data breach.
Common questions
Can I put an old TV in a skip?
No. TVs and monitors are electrical waste and must be kept separate for recycling.
Do you collect a single TV?
Yes. Book it as an electrical item, or add it to a fridge, mattress or appliance collection so everything goes in one visit.
