July 1, 2025
As televisions have grown larger and more advanced, the question of what to do with the old ones becomes more pressing for Denver residents. Upgrading to a new, larger screen is exciting, but disposing of the old unit involves more than just hauling it away. Screen size, along with the technology behind it, significantly influences the complexity, safety, and environmental impact of the recycling process. Understanding these factors is key to responsible TV disposal and protecting our beautiful Colorado environment.
The fundamental reason screen size impacts recycling is simple: bigger screens mean more material. This isn’t just about more plastic and glass; it’s about a greater volume of potentially hazardous materials that require careful, specialized handling. Different television types contain different substances, and the larger the screen, the more of these substances are present.
In Colorado, it’s illegal to dispose of electronics like televisions in the trash. The Electronic Recycling Jobs Act was put in place precisely because these devices contain toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and beryllium that can leach into soil and groundwater if sent to a landfill. A professional electronics recycling service is not just a convenience; it’s a legal and environmental necessity for Denver residents and businesses.
These are the old, deep, boxy televisions many of us grew up with. Their size and weight are the most obvious challenges, but the real issue lies within. CRT monitors can contain between 2 to 8 pounds of lead, primarily in the leaded “funnel” glass. This lead was necessary to shield users from X-ray radiation. A larger screen—say, a 32-inch CRT versus a 19-inch model—contains significantly more leaded glass, making it heavier and more hazardous to handle and process. Disassembling these units is a manual, dangerous process that must be done with extreme care to prevent toxic dust from being released.
While sleeker and lighter than CRTs, modern flat screens have their own set of recycling challenges. Older LCD TVs (typically those made before 2009) use cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for backlighting, which contain mercury. A larger screen has more or longer lamps, meaning it contains more mercury. Plasma TVs, while less common now, can also contain lead in their glass. Though newer LED and OLED TVs are more efficient and contain fewer toxic materials, they still contain a complex mix of plastics, circuit boards, and precious metals that must be separated for proper recycling.
Ensuring your old TV is handled correctly is straightforward when you follow the right steps. The primary goal is to ensure safety and compliance with environmental regulations.
Never try to take a television apart yourself. CRTs can hold a powerful electrical charge even when unplugged for a long time, posing a serious risk of electrocution. Breaking the screen or internal components of any TV can release hazardous materials like lead dust or mercury vapor.
Is the TV the only item you need removed? Often, replacing a central piece of furniture like a television is part of a larger decluttering project. You might also have old furniture, appliances, or other junk to remove. Combining tasks into a single junk removal service is more efficient.
The safest and most responsible method is to hire a professional junk removal company. A reputable service like Junk Be Gone not only has the equipment to safely remove large, heavy items but also partners with certified recycling facilities. This ensures every component of your old TV is processed according to Colorado’s environmental laws.
| TV Type | Key Hazardous Material | Impact of Larger Screen Size |
|---|---|---|
| CRT (Tube TV) | Lead (Leaded Glass) | Significantly more weight and lead content; more difficult to handle. |
| LCD (CCFL-backlit) | Mercury (Backlight Lamps) | More or longer mercury-containing lamps increase toxic risk. |
| Plasma | Lead (in glass composition) | Greater mass of leaded materials and complex structure. |
| LED / OLED | Trace Heavy Metals | More complex circuitry and greater volume of plastics to separate. |
As a Denver-based company, we see firsthand the value our community places on protecting our natural surroundings. Responsible e-waste disposal is a critical part of that commitment. For business owners and property managers, proper disposal is also a matter of compliance. A full office cleanout or end-of-lease property clean-up often involves removing dozens of electronic devices. Partnering with a local expert ensures that whether it’s one giant TV from a home or fifty monitors from an office, every item is handled correctly, with a focus on recycling and environmental stewardship.
Don’t let that old television collect dust or become an environmental hazard. The team at Junk Be Gone makes TV and electronics disposal simple, safe, and eco-friendly for residents and businesses across Denver.
No. Colorado state law (the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) prohibits disposing of televisions and most other electronics in landfills. They must be taken to a proper recycling facility.
We transport your TV to a certified e-waste recycling partner. There, it is carefully disassembled. Materials like plastic, metal, and glass are separated. Hazardous substances are safely extracted and managed, while recyclable materials are processed to be used in new manufacturing.
Yes! We handle a wide range of electronic waste, including computers, monitors, printers, stereos, and more. Our appliance removal and general junk hauling services cover nearly anything you need to get rid of.
Absolutely. While broken electronics are recycled, we are committed to keeping as much as possible out of landfills. Functional items like furniture, tools, and housewares are often directed to our donation pickup partners here in Denver.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): The vacuum tube technology used in older, bulky televisions and computer monitors that contains a significant amount of leaded glass.
E-Waste (Electronic Waste): Discarded electrical or electronic devices. E-waste is a growing global issue due to the toxic chemicals that can contaminate the environment if not disposed of correctly.
Leaded Glass: Glass containing lead oxide, used in CRT funnels to block X-ray emissions. It is considered hazardous waste and cannot be recycled with standard glass.
Mercury Lamps (CCFLs): Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps are small fluorescent tubes used to backlight older LCD screens. They contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal.
