How to Give Your Old TV a Second Life
If you just bought a new TV, you may be wondering what to do with your old one. Maybe you’re eager to get rid of that dusty, bulky, outdated model before your guests come over. But before you throw it away, consider a greener option.
For example, most cities prefer you Recycle your old electronics. Just lugging your old TV to the dump is a waste. Depending on the age of your TV, it may contain toxic metals like mercury. What should you do? There are plenty of options, especially if it’s still available. The most obvious way is to move it to another room, but I’m assuming you already have that room in mind, especially if you have one new tv to replace it.
Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of your old TV that won’t cost you anything, except maybe a little time. Here’s how to do it. For more information, see if Your old phone can be transformed into a wireless mouse or a security camera.
Before doing anything else, wipe data
No matter how you plan to use your TV, make sure Sign out of all your streaming accounts. and then go one step further Factory resetyou can find it in the user menu. There is obviously someone Download your Netflix for free Only if your old TV is smart tv, But erasing your passwords and personal information is Develop a good habit of using old electronics.
Try selling on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace (if valuable)
While selling your TV may seem as obvious as moving it to another room, the specifics are less obvious.
First, you need local reception for your TV. No matter how well you package your TV, it may not survive the trip, even if you have the original box. Modern television is too fragile. Now, the seller has to deal with the broken TV, and you have to refund the buyer’s money.
Even if you sell locally, the same problem exists. Buyers will inevitably show up to get your product 65 inch TV I’m driving a 1990 Honda Civic, please help me get it in the back. If you’re getting rid of a large TV, be sure to include its dimensions and weight in the ad.
Read more: 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Facebook Marketplace Instead of Craigslist
That is if you can sell it. Used TVs lose value quickly, in part because new TVs are getting cheaper. That TV you bought for $2,000? Maybe you can get $200. Check out the “Is Your TV Worth It?” section at the bottom.
Or, just list for free. If the person accepts it, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Donate your TV to charity
An easier option is to donate it to a local charity, preferably one where volunteers pick it up.
There’s also Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers or other second-hand retailers. You need to take your TV to one of their locations. Check their website to see if they accept your TV type and size. For example, they may not accept old rear projection tv Because most people don’t want them.
Also contact your local library or public school. Many people are always in need of donations, even though a 20-year-old TV may not be what they want.
Best Buy will collect old electronics from your home for a fee.
(Return) your TV to Best Buy
Best Buy will take Your used electronics, not just TVs, but old phones, tablets, batteries and even cables. Again, you’ll need to take the TV to the nearest Best Buy, but since it doesn’t matter if it still works, the amount of care required drops dramatically. You can even earn Best Buy points that you can combine with $5 to get $5 worth of candy at checkout.
The larger TV will cost $25, which seems reasonable considering it saves you from needing something so big.
If you were to buy a new TV and install it, it would cost $60 it will drag the old ones away. If you haven’t purchased a new TV from Best Buy yet, It will come to your home and be purchased for $200.
Electronics recycling in action.
Get your TV professionally recycled
Some cities and local jurisdictions offer TV recycling services, either by dropping them off at a recycling center or as part of regular curbside pickup. Please contact your local government for details.
There are many organizations that can help recycle your electronics, including TVs. Check Learn more on the Environmental Protection Agency’s page. There is also a page for MRM recycling Helping you find options in your area.
Many manufacturers have their own programs or partner with companies that do. Check Electronics Recycling Alliance page for more information. Remember, just because the manufacturer has a program, doesn’t mean there will be a drop-off location near you. For example, the nearest LG drop-off point in Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States, is more than 500 miles away.
If you’re now thinking about recycling all the small electronics you have around the house, check out our Guide to free recycling of mobile phones, laptops, batteries and cameras.
You can host a yard sale to get rid of your old TV.
Sidewalk or garage sale
Depending on where you live, you may be able to let your neighbors handle it. I hate to even mention this because if you live in an area where people grab things on the sidewalk, you probably know this. If you didn’t know, leaving trash on the sidewalk for days or weeks isn’t a good look. So your mileage may vary.
A yard or garage sale is another option. Again, this is easier than hauling it away yourself.
Is your TV really worth the money?
Most people remember the price they paid for their TV and think it was still worth the money years after they bought it. This is not true. TVs have become so cheap, there isn’t much of a market for used TVs, especially if the TVs aren’t that expensive.
Although there are some exceptions, here are some general rules:
It may be valuable if:
- This is a high-end TV launched in the last five years or so
- This is an OLED TV, except maybe the earliest models
- Greater than 65 inches
- It is a CRT (in very special cases, see below)
It may not be worth much if:
- This is a budget, even mid-range LCD monitor
- Already more than 10 years old
- this is a plasma
- This is early smart TV (unless streaming apps still work)
- This is an old picture tube (CRT) TV
It is absolutely worthless if:
- This is a rear projection TV
- This is a CRT RPTV (note this advice: lift with your knees, not your back)
- It doesn’t have HDMI
Now, there are exceptions to these rules. You may be able to find a collector for your 500 pound RCA console TV. Maybe an archeology student is doing a project on early flat-screen televisions and discovers that your mint Fujitsu is a prime candidate for their thesis.
early television HDMI version such as 1.4 Not useless, but less useful. They may not get along well with modern humans streaming device or game console.
Anyone who’s ever used an Atari controller knows that your fingers can’t make it move.
In certain situations, a CRT may have some value. Hardcore retro gamer Prefer playing early video game consoles on a CRTand these are getting harder to find for obvious reasons. However, they’re not just looking for any CRT, and if you own one of the larger CRTs from any era, getting it out of your house may cause more trouble. Forgot to ship one.
If the CRT has components (Red, green, blue, the other two are for audio),even S video Dip in, there’s hope. If it doesn’t at least compound (Yellow, plus red and white for audio), may not sell for much.
In addition to covering television and other display technologies, Jeff also travels on photography tours Cool museums and places around the worldinclude nuclear submarine, large aircraft carrier, medieval castleepic 10,000 mile road trip,etc. Check Technology journey All his travels and adventures.
he wrote a Best Selling Science Fiction Novels There are approximately city-sized submarines, and sequel. You can follow his adventures Instagram and his YouTube channel.
