Everything you need to know about recycling televisions
WARNING! Do not put televisions in your recycling or garbage bin. Electronic products can contain toxic materials
Recycling Televisions includes:
HD TVs
HD televisions
Plasma TVs
CRT televisions
Flatscreen televisions
Console televisions
Telly
TVs
Smart televisions
Smart TVs
TV screens
TV monitors
Flatscreen TVs
Which bin does it go in?
Learn more about recycling televisions
How to recycle televisions
Televisions and other electrical waste should never be put in your household recycling or garbage. They can be dropped off for recycling at designated collection points located around Australia or picked up by commercial recyclers
National recycling scheme
Australians around the country have free access to the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off point near you.
The scheme accepts computer monitors, laptops, keyboards, computer mice, printers, scanners, webcams, computer cables, chargers, hard drives and motherboards. Some recyclers will also accept modems and routers (check directly before dropping it off).
The Australian Government created the scheme to help deal with the huge amount of electrical waste Australians generate each year. Every company that makes and/or imports computers into Australia is required to pay for the end-of-life recycling of these products. That means, you can drop off your old computer for recycling for free.
Why recycle?
Every year Australians purchase millions of new televisions. When the older models are thrown away, they are sent to landfill and the materials used to make the products are wasted. By recycling your old or broken television, you will divert waste from landfill and make sure the materials in the television such as metals, precious metals, plastics and glass are recycled.
Recycling televisions also keeps toxic materials out of our environment. Older televisions that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs) can contain up to 4 kg of lead and other toxic materials such as mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Lead is a cumulative poison that can contaminate groundwater and have harmful effects on human and animal health.
Some states such as the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria have banned electronic products from landfill.
What happens to them?
When televisions are collected for recycling, they are first inspected to see if they have any working components that can be reused. To be recycled, the televisions are then broken down into their many different components.
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Circuit boards are shredded down to a fine powder and separated into plastics and precious metals. This material can be reformed into a range of products.
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Plastic casings are shredded and melted down for use in new products.
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Scrap metals are typically melted down to form new metal-based components.
Cathode ray tube (CRT) glass contains a high concentration of lead. This means it can't go back into the normal glass recovery process like glass bottles. CRT glass is typically crushed and cleaned. Some CRT glass is used in manufacturing new television and computer monitors, but the move to LCD and plasma televisions means that new technologies and processes are being found to reuse this material.
Recycling large quantities
There are some recycling organisations that offer national collection services for quantities of televisions. To find a commercial television recycling service for your workplace or business, visit the televisions page for businesses
E-waste bans
Some states such as South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia have banned electronic products from landfill. If you live in a state with an e-waste to landfill ban, you must dispose of your electronic waste responsibly by finding a recycling or safe disposal service. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you. If you are unable to find a recycler, contact your local council for assistance.
Recycling other e-waste
Batteries
Batteries can be recycled for free through Australia's national product stewardship scheme for batteries, B-cycle.
Computers
Computers and their accessories can be recycled for free through the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones can be recycled for free through MobileMuster's recycling program.
Printer cartridges
Printer and toner cartridges can be recycled for free through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark recycling program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recycle televisions?
Old or unwanted televisions are considered electronic waste (e-waste) and can be recycled. This is important because TVs contain harmful materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can be damaging to the environment if not disposed of properly. Televisions should never be placed in your recycling or garbage bin at home.
Televisions must be disposed of responsibly – here are some options:
• Drop it off for recycling: Use the information on this page to find a free recycling drop-off point near you.
• Have it picked up: Use the information on this page to find a pick-up service in your area. Note, there is often a fee for pick-up services.
• Contact your council: Some councils offer pick-up services and drop-off events for bulky and hazardous waste such as televisions. Not all councils will recycle the waste they pick up, so it’s best to check with them to ensure it will be recycled.
• Take it to the tip: As a last resort, you can take your old TV to your local tip/landfill to be disposed of responsibly.
Where can I recycle old televisions near me?
Australia has a national recycling scheme for certain types of electronic waste that includes televisions. It’s called the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, and it provides the public with free drop-off points across the country – use the directory on this page to find a location near you.
You can also use the directory to find a recycling pick-up service; however, there may be a fee for this service.
Who funds the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme?
The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is primarily funded by the manufacturers and importers of televisions and computers. This is known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Essentially, companies that produce or bring these electronic products into Australia are legally obligated to contribute to the cost of recycling them at the end of their life. This funding covers the collection, transportation and recycling of televisions, computers and computer accessories.
It's important to note that while the scheme is primarily industry-funded, local councils and other organisations may also provide supplementary support for e-waste collection and recycling services in their areas.
Can you put televisions in the bin?
No. Televisions and other kinds of electronic waste should never be put in your recycling or garbage bin because they contain hazardous and toxic materials that must be disposed of responsibly.
Australia has a national recycling scheme for certain types of electronic waste that includes televisions. It’s called the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, and it provides the public with free drop-off points across the country – use the directory on this page to find a location near you.
You can also use the directory to find a recycling pick-up service; however, there may be a fee for this service.
