Short answer
In California it's illegal to put a TV, monitor, computer, or most electronics in the trash — they're e-waste, banned from landfills because of the lead and mercury inside. The upside: recycling them is free, because you already paid a recycling fee when you bought them. In LA you can drop e-waste at a free S.A.F.E. Center, use LASAN's free e-waste pickup, or take it to a certified recycler. A TV hauled out for you is a flat $85 when you'd rather not carry it.
Why you can't trash electronics in California
Electronics aren't ordinary junk — they contain heavy metals that leach into soil and groundwater in a landfill, so the state bans them from the trash outright.
It's illegal to landfill e-waste
Under California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act (SB 20/SB 50), any screen device over 4 inches — CRT, LCD, LED, or plasma TVs and monitors — plus computers and similar electronics can't go in regular trash or a landfill. They contain lead, mercury, and cadmium and must go to a recycler or collection center.
What counts as e-waste
Most anything with a plug or a circuit board: TVs and monitors, desktops and laptops, printers, phones and tablets, and small electronics. Because you paid an eCycling fee at purchase, dropping these for recycling is free.
New in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, California's SB 1215 expanded "covered e-waste" to battery-embedded products — cordless tools, smart speakers, electronic toys, and small gadgets with built-in batteries — so those now go through e-waste recycling too, not the trash.
Your free options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S.A.F.E. Center drop-off | Free | Weekends, City & County LA; bring proof of address |
| LASAN free e-waste pickup | Free | City of LA residents; separate from bulky pickup |
| Retailer take-back | Free | Many electronics stores accept devices in-store |
| Certified recycler drop-off | Free | CalRecycle-approved centers around LA |
| Best valuePaid removal — JunkLine | $85 (TV) | Carried out for you; recycled through certified handlers |
Wipe your data first
Before anything leaves the house, clear it. This is the step people forget, and it matters more than the recycling route.
Erase before you recycle
Factory-reset phones, tablets, and computers, sign out of your accounts, and remove or wipe hard drives. Once a device is gone, so is your control over what's on it.
When paid removal makes sense
The free drop-offs are great for a single laptop you can carry. Paid removal earns its cost when:
- It's a big, heavy old TV — especially a CRT tube set — and it's up stairs.
- You've got several devices at once — an office clear-out or a house full of old tech.
- You don't have a car to reach a drop-off or the free pickup is booked out.
- You're on a deadline, or you want it gone along with the rest of a cleanout.
With flat pricing you see the total first, the crew carries it out, and everything goes to certified e-waste handlers. See how it fits a larger job on our TV & electronics disposal page or the full price list. Clearing appliances too? Our appliance guide covers those.
Flat price, carried out for you
- TV (under 42")$79
- TV (42" to 65")$85
- TV (over 65")$99
- Computer Monitor$39
- Desktop / Computer Tower$45
All-in · $75 job minimum · recycled through certified e-waste handlers
Get my priceFrequently asked questions
Old tech piling up?
If it's a heavy tube TV, a stack of devices, or you've no way to reach a drop-off, get an exact, all-in price in seconds — data-safe and certified-recycled.
Get my price