Free e-waste disposal is available at Best Buy (3 items per household per day), city household hazardous waste events, Staples, and some Goodwill locations. For same-day curbside pickup, Dropcurb charges $79 for a TV under 42 inches, $79 for a monitor and $129 for a larger TV.
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| Method | Cost | What They Accept | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy drop-off | Free (3 items/day) | TVs, computers, monitors, phones, cables, printers | Drive to store, any day |
| City HHW event | Free | All electronics, batteries, chemicals | Quarterly events, limited dates |
| Staples drop-off | Free | Ink, toner, small electronics, batteries | Drive to store, during hours |
| Goodwill donation | Free | Working electronics only | Drive to location, tax deduction |
| Manufacturer take-back | Free–$30 | Their brand only (Dell, HP, Apple) | Ship or drop off |
| Dropcurb curbside | From $79, priced per item | TVs, monitors, computers, any electronics | Same-day pickup at your curb |
| Traditional full-service junk removal | Current local quote | Confirm with provider | Confirm with provider |
| City bulk pickup | Free–$25 | Varies — many cities exclude electronics | 2–8 week wait |
How Do I Get Rid of Electronic Waste Near Me?
You have six main options for e-waste disposal, ranging from free to $200+. The best choice depends on how many items you have, whether they're working, and how fast you need them gone.
- •Best Buy recycling (free, most convenient): America's largest retail electronics recycler. Drop off up to 3 items per household per day at any Best Buy store. They accept TVs up to 32 inches, computers, monitors, phones, tablets, printers, cables, and small appliances. TVs over 32 inches cost $29.99 for recycling. No appointment needed.
- •City HHW collection events (free, limited dates): Most cities and counties hold household hazardous waste collection events quarterly or monthly. These accept all electronics, batteries, paint, and chemicals for free. Check your city's 311 website for dates. Santa Clara County, LA County, and Sacramento run year-round drop-off facilities.
- •Staples drop-off (free, small items): Staples accepts ink cartridges, toner, rechargeable batteries, and small electronics for free recycling. They partner with ERI for responsible e-waste processing. Good for office electronics and small items.
- •Goodwill and charity donation (free, working items): Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local charities accept working electronics for resale. You get a tax deduction receipt. They typically won't take broken or obsolete items.
- •Manufacturer take-back programs (free–$30): Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung, and others offer free recycling of their own brand products. Dell provides free shipping labels. Apple offers trade-in credit for devices with value. Check each manufacturer's website.
- •Dropcurb curbside pickup (from $79): Place your electronics at the curb and book online. A local hauler picks them up same day. Best for large items like TVs, monitors, and multiple devices you can't easily transport.
Does Best Buy Take E-Waste for Free?
Yes. Best Buy operates the largest retail electronics recycling program in the United States. Since launching the program in 2009, they've collected over 2 billion pounds of electronics.
What Best Buy recycles for free:
- •TVs and monitors up to 32 inches (diagonal)
- •Computers, laptops, tablets
- •Cell phones and smartphones
- •Printers, scanners, fax machines
- •Cables, cords, chargers
- •Keyboards, mice, speakers
- •DVD/Blu-ray players, game consoles
- •Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers)
What costs $29.99 to recycle:
- •TVs and monitors larger than 32 inches
Limit: 3 items per household per day. No appointment needed — walk into any Best Buy and drop off your e-waste at the customer service desk. In New Jersey, the $29.99 fee for large TVs is waived due to state law.
If you have more than 3 items or items too large to transport, Dropcurb picks up electronics curbside the same day, priced per item: three monitors together come to $117, and a TV 42 inches or larger is $129.
Is It Free to Dump Electrical Items?
It depends on where you live and what you're disposing of:
- •Free in most cases: 25 states plus Washington D.C. have e-waste recycling laws that require manufacturers or retailers to provide free recycling. California charges a recycling fee at the time of purchase ($4–$6 per device), which funds free disposal later.
- •Free through retailers: Best Buy and Staples accept most electronics for free nationwide, regardless of state law.
- •Free at HHW facilities: County-run household hazardous waste facilities in major metros accept electronics year-round at no charge. LA County, San Jose, Sacramento, Santa Clara County, and many others operate permanent facilities.
- •Not free at regular landfills: Most landfills and transfer stations charge $10–$50 per electronic item, and some don't accept electronics at all. CRT monitors and TVs with leaded glass are frequently rejected or charged premium disposal fees.
- •Illegal to trash in some states: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin prohibit putting electronics in regular trash. Fines range from $50 to $1,000.
Have old TVs, monitors, or electronics cluttering your space? Dropcurb picks them up curbside the same day, from $79 for a TV under 42 inches. No hauling to a drop-off required.
Book E-Waste PickupFree E-Waste Disposal by City
Here's how to recycle electronics for free in major US metros:
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| City | Free Option | Details |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | ecycleNYC + DSNY events | Free for apartment buildings (ecycleNYC). Periodic SAFE disposal events for all residents. |
| Los Angeles | LA County HHW + S.A.F.E. Centers | Year-round drop-off at 5+ permanent facilities. Free pickup available through E-Waste LA. |
| San Francisco | Recology + city events | Recology offers free e-waste collection for residents. Quarterly drop-off events. |
| Chicago | 311 electronics recycling | Free drop-off at city recycling events. Check chicago.gov for dates. |
| Houston | City HHW facility | Free year-round drop-off at the Environmental Service Center on N. Main. |
| Phoenix | Household Products Collection | Free Saturday events monthly. Check phoenix.gov for schedule. |
| San Jose | Santa Clara County HHW | Free year-round drop-off by appointment at county facility. |
| Sacramento | Kiefer Landfill | Free electronics drop-off for residents at Kiefer Landfill and North Area Recovery Station. |
| Pittsburgh | Noble Environmental | Weekly drop-offs starting 2026. Check city website for locations. |
| Boston | Zero Waste Days | Periodic free collection events throughout the year. |
What Counts as E-Waste?
E-waste (electronic waste) includes any device with a circuit board, battery, or electrical plug. Common items:
- •TVs and monitors: CRT, LCD, LED, plasma — all types. CRT TVs contain lead and require special handling.
- •Computers: Desktops, laptops, tablets, servers
- •Phones: Cell phones, smartphones, landline phones
- •Printers and peripherals: Printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, webcams
- •Audio/video: Speakers, headphones, DVD/Blu-ray players, game consoles, stereos
- •Small appliances: Toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryers
- •Batteries: Lithium-ion, rechargeable, car batteries
- •Cables and chargers: Power cords, USB cables, HDMI cables, adapters
Items frequently confused with e-waste but handled separately: large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers) are typically categorized as appliances and accepted through different programs.
How to Dispose of E-Waste With Dropcurb
Place electronics at the curb
Set your TVs, monitors, computers, or other electronics at the curb or outside your building. No need to box them up.
Book online in 60 seconds
Go to dropcurb.com, select your items, and see your price before you confirm: a TV under 42 inches is $79. No phone calls, no appointment windows.
Same-day hauler pickup
A local hauler picks up your e-waste, usually within hours. You get a text confirmation when it's done.
Too much e-waste for a Best Buy run? Dropcurb picks it all up curbside, priced per item: a TV, a monitor and a desktop together come to $117. Same day, no trip required.
Get Instant PricingFrequently asked questions
How do I get rid of electronic waste near me?
The easiest free option is Best Buy — drop off up to 3 items per day at any store. Your city also offers free household hazardous waste collection events (check 311). For same-day curbside pickup without leaving home, Dropcurb starts at $79 for a TV under 42 inches.
Does Best Buy take e-waste for free?
Yes. Best Buy accepts TVs up to 32 inches, computers, phones, printers, cables, and small electronics for free. Limit 3 items per household per day. TVs over 32 inches cost $29.99 to recycle (waived in New Jersey).
Is it free to dump electrical items?
At retailers like Best Buy and Staples, yes. At county HHW facilities, usually yes. At regular landfills, no — expect $10–$50 per item. In 14+ states, it's illegal to put electronics in regular trash, with fines up to $1,000.
How do I get rid of my old TV for free?
Best Buy recycles TVs up to 32 inches for free (larger TVs cost $29.99). City HHW events accept all TV sizes for free. Some cities like LA offer free e-waste pickup. If you can't transport it, Dropcurb picks up a TV under 42 inches curbside for $79, or $129 for a larger one.
What electronics does Goodwill accept?
Goodwill accepts working electronics including computers, monitors, TVs, phones, tablets, printers, and game consoles. They sell them in stores or online. Broken or obsolete electronics are typically not accepted — use Best Buy or a city HHW event instead.
Can I put electronics in the trash?
In 14+ states including California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey, it's illegal to put electronics in regular trash. Even where legal, it's environmentally harmful — electronics contain lead, mercury, and cadmium. Use free recycling through Best Buy, Staples, or your city.