Electronics Recycling · Raleigh, NC
TV Recycling in Raleigh
Before you go
Five minutes here decides whether you pay a fee and whether they take it at all.
Work out whether it's a CRT or a flat panel
A CRT is deep, heavy for its size, and has a thick glass front. It holds several pounds of lead bound into the funnel glass, which costs more to process than the recovered material is worth. That is the category most likely to carry a fee, and the fee depends on your state. Flat panels are usually cheaper or free.
Measure the screen corner to corner
Screen size decides whether a store will take it at all, not what it costs. Retail take-back is commonly capped around 50 inches, and a larger set is refused at the counter rather than quoted a higher price. Where a fee applies it is usually flat per item, and a few states set it to nothing.
Take the stand off
Stands and wall brackets are steel and plastic that get handled as scrap. Some sites won't accept a set still bolted to a mount, and it's a two-minute job with a screwdriver.
Bring the power cable and the remote
Both are accepted alongside the set. Left at home they're just drawer clutter you'll deal with again later.
Don't let the screen break
A cracked CRT is a hazardous-waste problem rather than a recycling one. Some facilities refuse a broken tube outright and others charge more for it. Lay it face-down on a blanket for the drive.
Compare options
TV Recycling in Raleigh
2 free · 2 fee-based
| Facility | Cost | Open now | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility(919) 856-7400 | Free |
||
| South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility(919) 856-7400 | Free |
||
| Paid or fee-based options | |||
| Anything With A Plug Recycling(919) 610-3465 | Depends on the item |
||
| Best Buy | Fee for this |
||
How it works in Raleigh
TVs (CRTs included) have been banned from NC landfills since July 1, 2011. City of Raleigh garbage customers can put TVs out for free curbside e-waste pickup (4-item weekly limit; call 919-996-3245); county-wide residents can drop TVs at any of the three Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities at no charge during open hours. Best Buy Raleigh charges $29.99 for CRT TV recycling, making the MMRFs the cheapest local option.
Local rules
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 bans computers, monitors, printers, and televisions from NC landfills, effective July 1, 2011 (Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management Law, SB 887 / S.L. 2010-67).
Worth knowing
- Raleigh garbage customers get free curbside e-waste pickup (max 4 items/week) at 919-996-3245 — a widely overlooked option that beats hauling TVs to the county facility.
- Raleigh's bulky/special pickup fees rose April 1, 2026: $35/load for bulky and $70/load for special. E-waste pickup remains free.
Wake County household hazardous waste
Wake County Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
Free HHW disposal for Wake County residents.
14 more Raleigh rules, not specific to this item
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 bans lithium-ion batteries from landfill disposal effective December 1, 2026.
- NC G.S. 130A-309.70 prohibits disposal of lead-acid batteries in landfills, incinerators, or waste-to-energy facilities; retailers selling lead-acid batteries must accept used ones for recycling.
- City of Raleigh stormwater rules: oil-based paint, paint cleaner, and paint waste may not be disposed in the sanitary sewer or stormwater system (latex wash water is allowed in sanitary sewer only).
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 also bans motor oil, motor-vehicle oil filters, antifreeze, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles from landfill disposal in NC.
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10(f), as amended by SL 2023-137: expands the NC landfill disposal ban to include photovoltaic modules (solar panels) effective December 1, 2026.
- Wake County Solid Waste Ordinance (Chapter 65): establishes operating rules for all county solid waste facilities, sets fees for non-resident use, and prohibits commercial waste dumping at residential facilities.
- Wake County's three HHW sites run completely different schedules: South Wake (Apex) is the only Mon-Sat site, North Wake (Raleigh) is Saturday only, and East Wake (Wendell) is weekends only. Showing up on the wrong day is a common mistake.
- The North Wake HHW main storage building was destroyed in a January 22, 2025 fire; same-day Saturday collection runs at an adjacent building under a temporary state permit while a replacement is planned.
- PaintCare does not operate in North Carolina — the program is only in 12 states plus DC, so NC residents have no producer-funded paint takeback network and must use HHW facilities or dry-and-trash latex paint.
- Motor oil, antifreeze, and used oil filters are not accepted at HHW sites — they go to the Multi-Material Recycling Facilities instead, a frequent point of confusion.
- Wake County allows small amounts of fully dried latex paint (mixed with kitty litter or sand until solid) in regular household trash; only larger amounts or oil-based paint require HHW (10-gallon paint limit per visit).
- Wake County requires all solid waste disposed at its Transfer Station to be covered (tarped) during transport, and loads must have a cover or else face a $50 per load penalty.
- Residents who want to dispose of large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) must have the refrigerant removed and tagged by a certified technician before schedule pickup or drop-off.
- The City of Raleigh's green yard waste cart program accepts leaves, grass clippings, and brush up to 6 inches in diameter — but not dirt, rocks, or treated lumber.
Other Raleigh programs
- Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (MMRFs)Electronics with cords (TVs, computers, monitors, phones, game consoles, microwaves, printers), large appliances, scrap metal, motor oil/antifreeze, cooking oil, cardboard. North Wake MMRF at 9029 Deponie Drive (next door to the HHW facility); South Wake MMRF at 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex; East Wake MMRF at 5051 Wendell Blvd.
- Wake County Household Hazardous Waste FacilitiesThree HHW facilities accepting oil-based paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, acids/bases, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and medications. South Wake (6130 Old Smithfield Rd, Apex, Mon-Sat 8AM-4PM); North Wake (9037 Deponie Dr, Raleigh, Sat only 8AM-4PM); East Wake (5051 Wendell Blvd, Wendell, Sat-Sun 8AM-4PM).
- City of Raleigh curbside e-waste collectionFree scheduled curbside e-waste pickup for City of Raleigh garbage customers; max 4 electronic items per week; accepts TVs (working or broken), monitors, computers, small corded appliances.919-996-3245
- City of Raleigh Yard Waste & Bulky Item CollectionCurbside yard waste collection (bags, cans) on designated service days. Bulky item pickup (furniture, appliances) available for a fee: $35/load for bulky items (furniture, mattresses), $70/load for special items (appliances with refrigerant). E-waste pickup remains free.919-996-3245
- Call2Recycle drop-off networkFree rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples locations across the Raleigh area.
- Batteries Plus — Raleigh locationsFree recycling for rechargeable and single-use batteries plus fluorescent bulbs/tubes at Raleigh-area Batteries Plus stores. Also accepts small electronics (phones, tablets) and ballasts for recycling.
- NC Department of Justice shred-event calendarStatewide listing of free community paper-shredding events; Raleigh-area events typically cluster in April-May and September-October at banks, credit unions, and police stations.
- Wake County Convenience Centers (weekend HHW collection sites)Two weekend-only collection sites for residents unable to visit the main HHW facilities during the week. Accept HHW items including paint, pesticides, and automotive fluids. Saturday-Sunday 8AM-4PM at select locations.
Where this came from: 14 sources
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/household-hazardous-waste-facilities (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/multi-material-recycling-facilities/north-wake-multi-material-recycling-facility (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/news/wake-county-offers-temporary-plan-collect-household-hazardous-waste-raleigh (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/services/bulky-special-and-e-waste-collection (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/news/how-safely-dispose-batteries (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/stormwater/dont-dump-paint (opens in a new tab)
- www.deq.nc.gov/conservation/recycling/electronics/house-holds (opens in a new tab)
- www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_130A/GS_130A-309.70.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.paintcare.org/paintcare-states (opens in a new tab)
- locations.call2recycle.org/nc/raleigh (opens in a new tab)
- ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers/identity-theft/nc-shred-events (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/waste-recycling-operations (opens in a new tab)
- www.batteriesplus.com/recycling (opens in a new tab)
- www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
About TV Recycling here
How much does TV recycling cost in this area?
2 of 4 facilities (50%) offer free recycling for TV. Facilities that may charge: Anything With A Plug Recycling, Best Buy. Anything With A Plug Recycling: Free drop-off. Pickup: $60 flat fee. Event pickup: $100 (3 hrs). Beyond 1hr from downtown Raleigh: additional fees.. Best Buy: Free (most items). $30 fee for TVs under 50"..
Do I need an appointment for TV drop-off?
No appointment needed. North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, Anything With A Plug Recycling, Best Buy accept walk-ins.
Is pickup available for TV?
Yes, 1 facility offers pickup: Anything With A Plug Recycling.
Are there quantity limits for TV drop-off?
Some facilities have limits: South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility: 10 gallon latex paint limit; Best Buy: 3 items per day per household.
How much does TV recycling cost?
Flat-screen TVs under 50" are often free at municipal HHW facilities. Best Buy charges $30 for TVs under 50 inches. CRT TVs and larger flat-screens may have higher fees ($10-$50 depending on size).
Can I recycle a broken TV?
Yes — broken TVs are accepted but usually have a recycling fee because they require manual dismantling and hazardous material handling. CRT TVs (the heavy old ones) cannot be repaired and must be recycled.