How to Get Rid of an Old TV or E-Waste in Austin, TX
Quick answer
- Free drop-off: the city's Recycle and Reuse Center (2514 Business Center Drive) accepts televisions, computers, printers and fax machines, cell phones, and other electronics. It's appointment only, and free for Austin and Travis County residents.
- Austin curbside customers (houses up to fourplexes) can also book a free on-demand bulk pickup. Put electronics in the 'metal items and rigid plastics' pile at the curb by 5:30 a.m. The city says it recycles all electronics collected this way.
- Other options: Texas law requires TV and computer makers to offer recycling (find your brand through TCEQ; computer recycling is free). Best Buy also takes many electronics in store, but most TVs and monitors cost $29.99 each.
Your options
| Option | Where / who | Details | Address | Hours | Fee | Residency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-off site | Recycle and Reuse Center | The center's 'Accepted electronics and appliances' list includes televisions, computers, printers and fax machines, cell phones and chargers, lamps, microwaves, and electronic media (CDs, DVDs, floppy disks; throw away the jewel cases). The city's What Do I Do With tool lists the center as the best option for 'Televisions and electronics' and 'Computers and electronics.' Size or quantity limits for TVs: check with 311. | 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744 | By appointment only (book online, in the Austin Recycles app, or by calling 3-1-1). Specific hours: check with 311. | Free for Austin and Travis County residents; fees apply to non-residents (see ARR fee schedule) | Austin/Travis County residents | source |
| Free city pickup | ARR on-demand bulk collection | Set-out rules say to put electronics in the 'metal items and rigid plastics' pile, separate from non-metal items and tires. The city says it recycles all appliances, electronics, metals, and rigid plastics collected through bulk collection. Up to 3 bulk collections per address per calendar year. You need an appointment; items are not picked up without one. | Curbside at your home, 5 feet from carts, mailboxes, fences, meters, hydrants, and parked cars; not under low branches or power lines | Set out by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date | Free with your ARR curbside service (cost of extra pickups: check with 311) | ARR residential curbside customers only: single-family homes and up to fourplexes in Austin | source |
| Manufacturer take-back | Texas Recycles TVs / Texas Recycles Computers (TCEQ) | Texas law requires TV and computer makers to offer recycling for consumers. TCEQ lists each brand with a link to the maker's recycling page. Computer equipment (monitor, desktop or laptop, plus that maker's keyboard and mouse, bought for personal or home-business use) must be recycled free and conveniently, but each maker only has to take its own brands. For TVs, follow your brand's instructions. TCEQ doesn't say TV recycling is always free, so check with the manufacturer. TCEQ itself does not provide recycling services. | Varies by manufacturer (drop-off sites or mail-back) | Varies by manufacturer | Computers: free at the time of recycling under state law. TVs: depends on the manufacturer's program. | Texas household consumers | source |
| Store take-back | Best Buy electronics recycling | Best Buy says most stores take up to 10 items per household per day, with tighter limits by category (for example, 2 TVs and 2 monitors per day). Many items are free, including computers, laptops, printers, cables, and phones. TVs costing $29.99 each: tube TVs 31" and smaller, portable TVs, and flat panels 50" and smaller. Insignia and Dynex TVs or monitors 50" and smaller are free. Bigger TVs need haul-away, which is $199.99 on its own or $49.99 with a delivered replacement. Residents only; no business items. Whether your local store participates: check with the store. | Participating Best Buy stores | Store hours | Varies: many items free; most TVs and monitors $29.99 each; haul-away $49.99 or $199.99 | Residents only (no business or organization products) | source |
| Donate / resell | Austin Reuse Directory | ARR suggests giving away, selling, or donating working electronics before using bulk collection. The city's What Do I Do With tool points to the Austin Reuse Directory to find places to donate, sell, or repair used items. | - | - | - | - | source |
| Paid haul-away | Private junk removal Get a quote from LoadUp | Private haulers will pick up TVs and electronics for a fee. Ask how they recycle e-waste before you book. | - | - | Paid; quotes vary | None | check with 311 |
Disclosure: The paid haul-away link may become an affiliate link. If it does, CurbRules may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Free city options are always listed first.
How to prep it
- Wipe or remove your data before dropping off a computer, laptop, or phone. TCEQ says you are responsible for any confidential information left on the equipment.
- Bulk pickup: put electronics in the 'metal items and rigid plastics' pile at the curb by 5:30 a.m. Don't put them in bags, boxes, or other containers; bags are treated as extra trash.
- Recycle and Reuse Center: book an appointment first. For CDs and DVDs, throw away the jewel cases.
- Best Buy: check the category limits and fees on Best Buy's page before you go. TVs over the size limits can't be dropped off.
- Travis County's 1431 Citizens Collection Center takes household trash only, not recycling or appliances. To find other drop-off sites, use the county's locator at recycle.traviscountytx.gov.
- Whether TVs or electronics can go in your trash cart: check with 311.
Illegal dumping fines
Illegal dumping in Texas is a crime under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012. The penalty class depends on the amount: 5 lb or less (or 5 gallons or less) is a Class C misdemeanor (fine up to $500). More than 5 lb but under 500 lb (or more than 5 gallons but under 100 cubic feet) is a Class B misdemeanor (fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail). 500 lb to under 1,000 lb (or 100 to under 200 cubic feet) is a Class A misdemeanor (fine up to $4,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail). 1,000 lb or more (or 200 cubic feet or more) is a state jail felony. A repeat conviction moves up one class. A single mattress is likely over 5 lb, so that is at least a Class B offense. The City of Austin says offenders may also have to clean up the site, and property owners can be held responsible for cleanup.
Report illegal dumping to Austin 3-1-1 (call, app, or online) or the Regional Environmental Taskforce hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS (1-877-663-8677).
Official sources
- ARR Recycle and Reuse Center
- ARR On-demand Bulk, Brush, HHW, and Clothing and Textiles Collection
- ARR What Do I Do With... tool (search 'Televisions and electronics' or 'Computers and electronics')
- TCEQ: Electronics Recycling
- TCEQ: Texas Recycles TVs Program (find your TV brand)
- TCEQ: Texas Recycles Computers Program (find your computer brand)
- TCEQ: Guidance for the Texas Recycles Computers Program
- Best Buy: Electronics and Appliances Recycling
- Travis County: Recycling and Disposal
Related items in Austin, TX
- Lithium and household batteries (coming soon)
- Microwave and small appliances (coming soon)
- Refrigerator or window AC unit (coming soon)
Nearby cities
- Round Rock, TX (coming soon)
- Cedar Park, TX (coming soon)
- Pflugerville, TX (coming soon)
- San Marcos, TX (coming soon)