How to get rid of a TV in Orange County, CA

Researched 2026-10-23 from official sources. Programs change, so confirm with the program before you go.

Short answer: In California you can't put a TV in the trash. TVs and monitors are e-waste, which the state regulates as "universal waste." Orange County residents can drop off TVs, both flat screens and old CRT "tube" sets, for free at any of OC Waste & Recycling's four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. No appointment is needed for a regular household drop-off.

Why it can't go in the trash

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) lists electronic devices and cathode ray tubes (CRTs) among California's universal wastes. DTSC says no one in California, households included, may throw universal waste in the trash. It has to go to an authorized handler, such as a household hazardous waste facility or a take-back retailer, or to a recycler. DTSC – Universal Waste fact sheet

Free drop-off: OC Waste & Recycling HHW Collection Centers

Hours (all four centers): Tuesday–Saturday, 9 am–3 pm. Closed on major holidays and when it rains.

Center	Address
Anaheim	1071 N Blue Gum St, Anaheim 92806
Huntington Beach	17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6, Huntington Beach 92647
Irvine	6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine 92618
San Juan Capistrano	32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano 92675

Who can use them: Orange County residents only, for household waste only. OC Waste & Recycling may ask for proof of county residence. The centers don't accept waste from businesses, churches, schools, nonprofits or government agencies.

Other electronics they take: computer monitors (CRT and flat screen), computers and laptops, cell phones, tablets and MP3 players, printers, scanners, fax machines and copiers, CD, DVD and VCR players, video game consoles and accessories, radios, stereos (no speakers), home-use microwave ovens, and photovoltaic solar panels.

Before you go: wipe or remove any personal data from devices. OC Waste & Recycling says it doesn't destroy hard drives or phones on site and isn't responsible for data left on them.

Can't make the trip? Call OC Waste & Recycling at 714-834-4000 to ask about its door-to-door service for residents who need special assistance.

OC Waste & Recycling – HHW · HHW fact sheet (PDF)

Other options

Your city's program: OC Waste & Recycling says your city may offer more HHW and e-waste services, such as curbside pickup. Ask your city's recycling coordinator or your trash hauler.
Still works? Donating or selling a working TV keeps it out of the waste stream entirely.

What we couldn't verify

Whether a given city's hauler picks up TVs at the curb, and whether it charges. This varies by city and hauler.
CalRecycle's statewide e-waste collector directory was unavailable when we checked (server error), so we haven't listed private e-waste recyclers.