TV and Electronics Disposal in Illinois: What You Need to Know

Illinois bans electronics from landfills. That includes TVs (CRT and flat-screen), computers, monitors, printers, phones, and most other plug-in electronics. Junk Nurse routes every electronic item we pick up to licensed e-recyclers, at no extra charge to you. Here’s how the law works and what your options are.

The Illinois Electronics Recycling and Reuse Act

Illinois passed the Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act in 2008. The law went into full effect with a complete landfill ban on covered electronics in 2012. It’s administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).

The intent: keep heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), flame retardants, and other contaminants out of landfills, and recover valuable materials (gold, copper, aluminum, rare earths) that would otherwise be wasted.

What’s covered under the ban

Illinois bans the following from landfills:

• Televisions (CRT, plasma, LCD, LED, OLED, projection)
• Computers (desktop, laptop, tablet)
• Computer monitors
• Computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, scanners)
• Printers (inkjet, laser, all-in-one)
• Fax machines
• VCRs and DVD players
• Digital video recorders (DVRs) and cable boxes
• Video game consoles
• Portable digital music players (MP3 players, iPods)
• Digital converter boxes
• Cell phones (technically covered, though often handled separately)
• Electronic books / e-readers

If it has a plug or a rechargeable battery, assume it’s covered.

What’s NOT covered (technically)

Some electronics are not explicitly listed under the Act — appliances like microwaves, small kitchen appliances, hand-held vacuums, and similar items. However, Junk Nurse still routes them through electronics recycling whenever possible because they contain similar materials and recyclers will accept them.

Why this matters environmentally

A single CRT television contains 4–8 lbs of lead in the glass. A flat-screen TV contains mercury in the backlighting (in older LCD models) and various heavy metals in circuit boards. Computer monitors, printers, and gaming consoles add to the inventory.

When these end up in a landfill, lead and mercury can leach into groundwater. Beyond the environmental issue, you’re also losing the recoverable value — a ton of cell phones contains more gold than a ton of gold ore.

Compliant disposal isn’t optional in Illinois. It’s the law, and it’s the right way to handle this material.

Your options for compliant electronics disposal in Aurora

Option 1: Licensed e-recyclers

The IEPA maintains a list of certified electronics recyclers operating in Illinois. Several have drop-off locations within an hour of Aurora, including:

• SupplyHog / eWorks Electronics Services (multiple Chicago-area locations)
• Vintage Tech Recyclers (Romeoville)
• Universal Recycling Technologies (Chicago area)

Most accept residential drop-offs free for typical items. Some charge a small fee for CRT televisions (which are heavier and harder to process). Check ahead.

Option 2: Big-box retailer take-back programs

• Best Buy — the most comprehensive in-store take-back program in the U.S. Free for most items, with a small fee ($25–$35) for CRT TVs and large flat-screens. Three items per household per day.
• Staples — accepts smaller electronics (laptops, monitors, printers, phones) for free.
• Home Depot and Lowe’s — accept rechargeable batteries and some smaller electronics.

Option 3: Municipal e-waste collection events

Kane County and the City of Aurora occasionally host electronics collection events — usually 1–2 per year, sometimes free, sometimes with small fees. Check aurora.il.us and kanecountyrecycles.org for the current schedule.

Option 4: Junk removal pickup (Junk Nurse)

For homeowners with multiple items, large items (CRT TVs, big monitors), or items in inconvenient locations (basement, garage, attic), junk removal is often the easiest path. We come to you, we handle the loading, we route to licensed e-recyclers, and we don’t charge extra for electronics.

This is built into our standard pricing — volume-based, confirmed upfront. Whether you have one old TV or a basement full of vintage electronics, the routing is the same.

What about data security on old computers and devices?

Important question — one we hear regularly. Before you hand off any computer, phone, or tablet, you’re responsible for wiping personal data. Recommendations:

• Laptops and desktops: Use the OS’s built-in reset to factory defaults (Windows: Reset This PC; Mac: Erase All Content and Settings). For sensitive data, run a secure wipe utility or physically remove and destroy the hard drive.
• Smartphones: Factory reset, then remove SIM card. Sign out of iCloud / Google accounts first.
• Tablets: Factory reset, sign out of accounts.
• Printers: Modern printers have internal storage; factory reset the printer too.

Junk Nurse doesn’t access devices we pick up, but the licensed recyclers we route to are required to handle data security per their certification. Still, doing your own wipe is the right baseline.

Why we don’t charge extra for electronics

Some junk removal companies add a per-item surcharge for TVs and monitors because they pay a fee at the recycler for these items. We don’t. Our volume-based pricing already builds in the average disposal cost across everything we routinely take. The result: you don’t get hit with a $25 surprise for the TV you forgot to mention on the phone.

Whether you have one TV or six, one monitor or twelve, the price is the same as it would be for the equivalent volume of other items.

What about Best Buy versus Junk Nurse?

Honest comparison:

• Best Buy: Free for most items. You drive the items there, lift them out of your car, and carry them in. Limit of three items per day. Hours limited to retail hours.
• Junk Nurse: Pays via volume pricing (not free). We come to you, handle all loading, take any quantity, work Mon–Sat 7am–7pm. Same-day in most cases.

For one or two small items, Best Buy is the right call. For a basement full of electronics plus other junk, Junk Nurse is faster and easier.

For more information

The IEPA’s full guidance on Illinois electronics recycling is at illinois.gov/dceo. For our full removal services covering both electronics and the rest of your home, see our appliance & furniture removal authority guide.