Alternative Options for Television and Monitor Recycling

Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management now charges a fee for all televisions and monitors brought to the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. These fees were made necessary because funds formerly received through state grants for electronics recycling have been discontinued. While other electronic items can generally be recycled without cost due to their value, televisions and monitors have proven to be more expensive.

Many residents have expressed interest in knowing what other options are available for recycling televisions and monitors. According to their websites at the time of research, the following companies and organizations offer services for televisions and monitor recycling:

Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management: recycletompkins.org/fees

• Televisions and monitors $15 each to recycle. Solid waste permit required.

Best Buy: 

• Recycle for $25 per item (limit 2 per day):

  • Tube TVs smaller than 32”
  • Flat-panel TVs: LCD, plasma, LED smaller than 50”
  • Portable TVs
  • Monitors

Staples: 

• Monitors (including CRT, LED/LCD, plasma) accepted free
• Televisions not accepted

Certain electronics must be recycled to comply with New York State law. Disposing of these items as trash, or illegally dumping, is prohibited.

Various other electronic devices such as computers, laptops, phones, and tablets are accepted at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center free of charge. Visit recycletompkins.org for more details.

Please note: Cornell only accepts University generated electronics. 

For questions about Cornell waste and recycling please contact Cornell R5 Operations at recycle@cornell.edu or 607-254-1666.