That old tube TV in the basement isn't just heavy. It's also illegal to throw in the trash in Pennsylvania. Here's why, and what to do instead.
The law: Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act
Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act, passed in 2010, keeps "covered devices" out of the regular waste stream. Since January 2013, landfills and trash haulers in the state haven't been allowed to accept them. Covered devices include:
- Televisions of any type: tube (CRT), LCD, plasma, and LED
- Desktop and laptop computers
- Computer monitors
- Computer peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers
- Tablets and e-readers
The law exists because electronics contain materials like lead and other metals that shouldn't end up in landfills, along with valuable materials that can be recovered.
Philadelphia's options
Sanitation convenience centers. All six city drop-off centers accept electronic waste, including computers, monitors, and televisions, free with proof of Philadelphia residency. They're open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. See our drop-off guide.
Bulk collection. The city's bulk collection program lists flat-screen TVs among the items it picks up by appointment.
Retailer and manufacturer programs. Under the state law, manufacturers have to offer recycling programs for covered devices. Some electronics retailers also run take-back programs. Check before you go.
Before you recycle: wipe your data
- Back up what you want to keep.
- Sign out of accounts and do a factory reset on laptops, tablets, and phones.
- For old desktops, remove the hard drive or have it wiped. When in doubt, physically destroy the drive.
The old tube TV problem
Big CRT TVs from the 1990s and 2000s can weigh a lot, and they're often stuck in basements and attics because nobody wanted to carry them out. Don't drag one down the stairs alone. Tube TVs are front-heavy and awkward. We can carry them out as part of a basement cleanout and make sure they go to electronics recycling, not a landfill.
Get a free quote to clear out old electronics along with everything else.