Where can you recycle TVs in Illinois?

Why TVs require special recycling

Illinois banned TVs from landfills in 2012 under the Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act. The ban exists because:

• CRT TVs contain 4–8 lbs of lead per unit (in the glass)
• Older LCD TVs contain mercury (in backlighting)
• All TVs contain heavy metals and flame retardants in circuit boards
• Significant recoverable materials (gold, copper, aluminum) go to waste otherwise

Regular trash pickup and most curbside programs in Aurora won’t take TVs. You have to use one of the legal channels below.

The four real options

Option 1: Licensed e-recyclers

The IEPA maintains a list of certified recyclers. Closest options for Aurora-area residents:

• Vintage Tech Recyclers — Romeoville, IL. Major regional recycler. Residential drop-offs welcome. Some fees apply for CRTs.
• eWorks Electronics Services — Chicago area, multiple locations.
• Universal Recycling Technologies — Chicago area, focused on commercial but accepts residential.

You drive the TV(s) there during business hours. Free for most items; CRTs may have a per-pound fee.

Option 2: Best Buy in-store take-back

Best Buy operates the most comprehensive electronics take-back program in the U.S. Drop-off:

• Free for laptops, tablets, smaller monitors, phones
• $25–$35 fee for flat-screen TVs over a certain size
• $25–$35 fee for CRT TVs (more for very large CRTs)
• Limit: three items per household per day

You carry the TV into the store. Best Buy in Aurora (at the Fox Valley Mall area) and Naperville both accept TVs.

Option 3: Kane County and Aurora e-waste collection events

Periodically held, usually 1–2 times per year. Free or low-cost drop-off. You bring your TVs, they accept them. Check:

• aurora.il.us (Aurora’s waste and recycling page)
• kanecountyrecycles.org (Kane County’s recycling resources)
• Sign up for city notifications about upcoming events

These events fill up quickly. Often long lines. Plan ahead.

Option 4: Junk removal pickup

For homeowners with multiple TVs, large CRT TVs, or TVs in inconvenient locations (basement, attic, second floor), junk removal is the easiest path. Junk Nurse:

• Picks up at your home, no transport required from you
• Routes all TVs through licensed e-recyclers
• Doesn’t charge extra for TVs vs. other items
• Same-day available in most cases

Typical cost: covered by volume pricing. Single TV pickup falls under our $89 minimum; multiple TVs or TVs combined with other items get folded into the volume quote.

What about non-Best Buy retailer take-back?

• Staples — accepts smaller electronics free; doesn’t accept TVs
• Home Depot and Lowe’s — accept rechargeable batteries, sometimes smaller electronics, but not TVs
• Target — accepts small electronics in some stores
• Walmart — varies by store

For TVs specifically, Best Buy is the major retail take-back option in the Aurora area.

Which option for which situation

Use a licensed e-recycler if: you have multiple TVs, you have a truck, and you can travel to Romeoville or the Chicago area.

Use Best Buy if: you have 1–3 TVs, you’re comfortable carrying them into a store, and you don’t mind the small fee for larger TVs.

Use Aurora/Kane events if: you can plan around the schedule, and you want the cheapest option.

Use Junk Nurse if: you want pickup at your house, you have items in inconvenient locations, you have multiple TVs, or you’re combining with other junk removal needs.

Important: factory reset before disposal

Smart TVs save Wi-Fi credentials, account logins, and personal data. Before recycling:

1. Open the TV’s settings menu
2. Find “Reset” or “Factory Reset”
3. Confirm and let the TV restore to factory defaults

This wipes your accounts. Do it whether you’re selling, donating, or recycling.

For full details, see our TV and electronics disposal guide.