Recycling
Recycling Old TVs in Chicago: Your Complete Guide
Need to recycle an old TV in Chicago? This guide covers free drop-off sites, CRT disposal rules, pickup options, and what happens to your set after recycling.
How to Recycle Old TVs in Chicago: A Practical, Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide
Got an old TV sitting in a basement in Logan Square or a storage room in Pilsen? You are not alone. Chicago residents discard tens of thousands of televisions every year, and finding a legal, convenient way to get rid of them is not always obvious. Whether it is a boxy CRT set from the early 2000s or a cracked 55-inch flat screen that finally gave out, this guide covers every legitimate recycling option available to Chicago residents, including free programs, paid services, and manufacturer take-back options.
Recycling old TVs the right way keeps toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium out of landfills and Chicago waterways. Illinois law actually prohibits throwing most televisions in the regular trash, so knowing your options is not just good citizenship, it is legally important.
Why You Cannot Just Throw Away an Old TV in Illinois
Illinois passed the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act back in 2008, making it illegal to dump televisions and most other consumer electronics in municipal solid waste. Violators can face fines, and waste haulers are required to reject electronics from standard trash pickup.
The reason for the law comes down to chemistry. A single old CRT television can contain between four and eight pounds of lead in its picture tube glass alone. Flat screens may contain mercury backlight lamps, brominated flame retardants, and other hazardous compounds. When these materials end up in a landfill, they can leach into groundwater over time.
For Chicago residents, this means the familiar blue cart is off-limits for TVs of any kind, including:
- CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions and monitors
- LCD and LED flat-panel televisions
- Plasma televisions
- Rear-projection sets
- Portable battery-powered TVs
Free TV Recycling Options for Chicago Residents
The good news is that Chicago has several no-cost routes for responsible TV disposal, though availability and scheduling vary by season and neighborhood.
Chicago Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility
The city's most reliable free option is the Chicago Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility, located at 1150 N. North Branch Street in River West, just north of the Kinzie corridor. This facility accepts televisions of all types at no charge for Chicago residents.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on certain holidays) What to bring: A piece of mail or ID showing a Chicago address Limits: Up to five electronic items per visit
This is the most straightforward option for anyone who can transport a TV in a car or SUV. The facility handles everything from small CRT bedroom sets to large flat screens. Staff are there to help unload heavier items.
Chicago Special Waste Drop-Off Events
The city also schedules periodic special waste drop-off events at locations across Chicago's 77 neighborhoods throughout the year, typically running April through November. These pop-up events are announced via the city's website and through aldermanic office newsletters.
In recent years, events have been held at sites in:
- Pullman (Far South Side)
- Jefferson Park (Northwest Side)
- Hegewisch
- Belmont Cragin
These seasonal events are convenient if you cannot make it to the North Branch facility on a weekend. Check the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation website for the current calendar.
Illinois EPA Take-Back Programs
The Illinois EPA maintains a statewide directory of registered e-waste collectors. Many suburban Cook County locations also accept Chicago residents' electronics, which can be useful if you live near the city limits in neighborhoods like Edison Park, Beverly, or South Chicago.
Manufacturer and Retailer Take-Back Programs
Several TV brands and major retailers operate their own recycling programs, some of which are free and some of which carry a fee.
| Program | Cost | Accepts CRTs | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Best Buy (in-store drop-off) | Free up to 32"; fee for larger | Yes, with fee | Up to 3 items per household per day | | Samsung Recycling Direct | Free | Limited | Mail-in or drop-off; find partners online | | LG Electronics Take-Back | Free | Yes | Drop-off at select locations | | Verizon/AT&T stores | Phones/tablets only | No | TVs not accepted | | Staples | Free up to 50 lbs | Limited | In-store only; check local store policy |
Best Buy at locations like the store on Clybourn in Lincoln Park or the Evanston store near Howard is one of the most accessible options for Chicago residents. They accept most TVs at no charge up to 32 inches diagonal. Sets larger than 32 inches incur a fee, currently around $30, but you receive a store gift card equal to that amount, effectively making it free if you shop there.
CRT TVs: The Trickiest Category
Old CRT televisions deserve special mention because they are significantly more expensive to recycle than flat screens. The lead-laden glass requires specialized smelting, and the recycling market for CRT glass has shrunk considerably as flat-panel production has made CRT manufacturing obsolete.
As a result, several programs that once accepted CRTs for free now charge a small fee, typically $10 to $25 depending on screen size. The Chicago city facility on North Branch Street still accepts CRTs at no charge for residents, making it the best option if you have an old tube TV to unload. If you are managing an estate or clearing out a property with multiple CRT sets, you may want to look into a paid pickup service rather than making multiple trips.
For more details on handling other hard-to-recycle electronics, see our guide on e-waste disposal in Chicago.
Paid TV Recycling and Haul-Away Services in Chicago
If the TV is too large to move yourself, or if you simply want someone to come to your door, paid haul-away services are available throughout the Chicago metro area.
Junk Removal Companies
Companies like Junk King, LoadUp, and College Hunks Hauling Junk all operate in Chicago and will remove and responsibly recycle televisions. Prices vary by set size and access (first-floor vs. third-floor walkup), but expect to pay:
- Small CRT or flat screen (under 32"): $50 to $90
- Medium flat screen (32" to 55"): $75 to $130
- Large flat screen or rear-projection (55"+ or heavy sets): $100 to $200+
Always ask the company for documentation that the TV will be recycled through a certified e-Stewards or R2-certified recycler, not simply hauled to a landfill in Indiana.
Building Management Considerations
If you live in a high-rise condo or apartment building in neighborhoods like Streeterville, Gold Coast, or the South Loop, check with your building management. Some larger residential buildings in Chicago have contracted e-waste recycling programs that handle TV disposal for residents at no extra charge or at a reduced rate.
What Actually Happens to Your Recycled TV?
Understanding the recycling process helps explain why costs exist for certain materials. Here is the general flow:
- Collection and sorting: TVs are sorted by type at the recycling facility.
- Disassembly: Technicians manually remove circuit boards, wiring harnesses, and speakers.
- CRT glass processing: For tube TVs, the leaded glass is separated and sent to specialized smelters, often in states like Tennessee or Ohio.
- Flat panel processing: LCD panels are shredded, and indium and other valuable metals are recovered.
- Plastics and metals: The housing plastics and steel chassis are shredded and sold as commodity scrap.
- Hazardous materials: Mercury lamps from LCD sets are sent to mercury reclamation facilities.
The recovered materials eventually find their way into new products. Copper from wiring goes back into manufacturing, steel is melted into structural material, and recovered indium can be used in new display manufacturing.
For context on how this fits into the broader landscape of responsible electronics disposal, check our overview of electronics recycling in Chicago and our related piece on recycling laptops and computers in Chicago.
Quick Tips Before You Recycle Your TV
Before dropping off or scheduling a pickup, take a few minutes to:
- Factory reset the TV if it is a smart TV with any stored streaming accounts or personal data.
- Remove any wall mounts or stands separately (metal components can often go in the blue cart as scrap metal, or be dropped at a metal recycler).
- Check if the TV still works. A working flat screen may have resale or donation value. Organizations like the Salvation Army in Chicago and Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept functional TVs in good condition.
- Take a photo of the serial number or model before recycling, especially if it is a recently purchased set still under warranty.
- Bundle your trip. Bring other electronics along when visiting a drop-off site, since most facilities also accept laptops, printers, and phones.
If your TV is still functional and you are trying to decide between selling, donating, or recycling, see our guide on what to do with old electronics in Chicago for a side-by-side breakdown.
Summary: Your Best Options at a Glance
| Situation | Best Option | Cost | |---|---|---| | Working TV, decent condition | Donate or sell locally | Free or cash back | | Broken flat screen, can transport | Chicago city facility (North Branch) | Free | | Old CRT, can transport | Chicago city facility (North Branch) | Free | | Large or heavy TV, need pickup | Junk removal service | $50 to $200 | | Near a Best Buy | Best Buy in-store drop-off | Free to $30 | | Multiple TVs from an estate | Paid haul-away with certified recycler | Varies |
Recycling an old TV in Chicago takes a bit of planning, but the city offers more options than most residents realize. The key is knowing which program fits your situation, whether that is a free weekend trip to North Branch Street or scheduling a haul-away service for a 65-inch set that three people could not move.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to throw a TV in the garbage in Chicago?
No. Illinois law prohibits disposing of televisions and most other consumer electronics in regular municipal solid waste. Trash haulers in Chicago are required to reject TVs, and violations can result in fines. Use a certified recycling program, a city drop-off facility, or a licensed haul-away service instead.
Where can I recycle a CRT (tube) TV for free in Chicago?
The Chicago Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch Street accepts CRT televisions at no charge for Chicago residents on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will need to bring proof of a Chicago address. Most other programs charge a fee for CRT sets due to the higher cost of processing lead glass.
Does Best Buy take old TVs for recycling in Chicago?
Yes. Best Buy accepts televisions at in-store drop-off points at no charge for sets up to 32 inches diagonal. Larger TVs incur a recycling fee of around $30, but the store typically provides an equal-value gift card. Chicago-area stores including the Lincoln Park Clybourn location participate in this program.
Can I donate a working TV in Chicago instead of recycling it?
Yes. Organizations including the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Chicago accept functional televisions in good condition. Smart TVs should be factory reset before donation to remove personal accounts and data. Call ahead to confirm the location accepts your specific TV size and type before bringing it in.
How much does it cost to have a TV hauled away in Chicago?
Paid haul-away services in Chicago typically charge between $50 and $90 for smaller sets and $100 to $200 or more for large or heavy televisions like rear-projection models. Costs also depend on access, such as elevator buildings versus multi-floor walkups. Always confirm the hauler uses a certified e-waste recycler.
What information should I gather before recycling a smart TV?
Before recycling any smart TV, perform a factory reset to remove streaming service logins, saved passwords, and personal data. Note the model and serial number if the TV is under warranty, and remove any wall mount brackets separately. Check whether the TV still works, since functional sets may be donated or sold rather than recycled.
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