Where to take your old monitor

Most computer monitors contain materials that cannot go in regular trash — mercury in older LCD screens, lead in glass, and heavy metals in circuit boards. Your local waste management system almost always has a free or low-cost route to handle them. The fastest option is usually your city or county's hazardous waste collection day, held once or twice a year. Call your local solid waste department or search "[your city] hazardous waste collection" to find the date and location.

If you cannot wait for a collection event, electronics retailers often take old monitors at no charge. Best Buy accepts monitors at any store location, no purchase required. Staples and Office Depot do the same. Some retailers charge a small fee — usually $10 to $25 — if the monitor is very old or damaged, but many waive the fee if you are buying a replacement there. Call ahead to confirm the store's current policy.

A third option is a local e-waste recycler. Search "[your city] e-waste recycling" or "[your city] electronics recycling" to find independent shops that specialize in breaking down old computers and monitors. Some charge a drop-off fee of $5 to $15; others take monitors free. Many will pick up from your home for a fee if the monitor is large or you have multiple items.

Key Takeaways

  • Never put a monitor in regular trash — the lead, mercury, and heavy metals inside require special handling.
  • Your city or county hazardous waste collection day is usually free and happens once or twice a year.
  • Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot accept old monitors at any location with no purchase required, though some charge a small fee for very old units.
  • Local e-waste recyclers can often pick up large or multiple monitors from your home for a fee.
  • Before dropping off a monitor, erase any data on the device if it has a built-in computer or memory card.

Preparing your monitor for drop-off

Before you take the monitor anywhere, wipe the screen and case with a dry cloth to remove dust and fingerprints. This is not required by any facility, but it makes the monitor easier to handle and shows respect for the workers who will process it.

If your monitor has a built-in computer, memory card, or USB port that stored data, erase it first. Most standalone monitors do not store anything, but all-in-one units like some Dell or HP models do. Use the device's built-in reset function or, if that does not work, remove the hard drive yourself if you are comfortable doing so. If you are unsure whether your monitor stores data, check the manual or search the model number plus "hard drive" online.

Pack the monitor in its original box if you still have it. If not, wrap it in a blanket or bubble wrap and place it in a sturdy box or bag so the screen does not crack during transport. find the power cord and any cables with tape or a zip tie so they do not get tangled or lost.

What happens to your monitor after drop-off

E-waste recyclers and retailers send monitors to specialized facilities where workers separate the glass, plastic, and metal components. The glass is melted down and used in new screens or construction materials. Metals like copper and aluminum are extracted and sold to manufacturers. Hazardous materials like mercury are safely contained and disposed of according to environmental law.

This process recovers about 95 percent of the monitor's material by weight. The remaining 5 percent — mostly plastic and composite materials — goes to a landfill, but the toxic substances that would have leaked into soil and groundwater are removed first. Recycling a monitor is far safer for the environment than throwing it away, even though some waste still occurs.

Donating a monitor that still works

If your monitor powers on and displays an image clearly, donation is often a better choice than recycling. Schools, nonprofits, and community centers frequently need used monitors for computer labs or offices. Goodwill and Salvation Army accept working monitors at most locations. Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations take them as well, though availability varies by region.

Before you donate, test the monitor with a computer to confirm it works. Plug it in, turn it on, and check that the image is sharp and colors are accurate. If the screen flickers, shows dead pixels, or does not turn on at all, it is better to recycle it than donate it — nonprofits do not have the budget to repair broken equipment.

You can also list a working monitor on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor for free or a small price. Local buyers will often pick it up from your home, saving you a trip. This keeps the monitor in use longer and delays its entry into the waste stream.

Monitors you should not try to recycle yourself

Do not attempt to disassemble a monitor on your own, even if you are experienced with electronics. The power supply can hold an electrical charge even after the monitor is unplugged, which can cause serious injury. The glass tube in older CRT monitors contains a vacuum and can implode if cracked. Newer LCD screens contain mercury in the backlight, which is toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Do not sell a monitor online without testing it first and being honest about any damage. A monitor that does not work is someone else's problem, and shipping a broken screen is expensive and wasteful. If it does not work, recycle it instead.

Monitors with built-in stands or arms

Some modern monitors come with expensive adjustable stands or wall-mount arms. If the stand is broken but the monitor itself works, you can sometimes sell or donate just the monitor and buy a replacement stand separately — universal monitor stands cost $20 to $60 and fit most screens. Check the monitor's VESA mounting pattern (usually printed on the back) to confirm a new stand will fit.

If you are recycling the monitor and the stand is still good, ask the recycler whether they accept the stand separately. Some facilities can reuse or resell stands; others will break them down with the monitor. Knowing this ahead of time saves time at drop-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a monitor in the trash if it is broken?

No. Broken monitors still contain lead, mercury, and heavy metals that are illegal to landfill in most places. Take it to a hazardous waste collection event, an electronics retailer, or an e-waste recycler instead. Many recyclers charge the same fee for broken monitors as working ones.

Do I need to remove the stand before recycling?

No. Leave the stand attached unless the recycler specifically asks you to remove it. The stand is part of the monitor and will be processed together. Removing it yourself risks damaging the monitor or injuring your hands.

How much does it cost to recycle a monitor?

Most hazardous waste collection events are free. Retailers like Best Buy usually charge nothing. E-waste recyclers typically charge $5 to $25 depending on the monitor's size and condition. Some recyclers offer free drop-off if you bring multiple items. Call ahead to confirm the fee.

What if my monitor has a curved screen?

Curved monitors are recycled the same way as flat ones. The curve does not change the process or the fee. Just pack it carefully so the screen does not crack during transport, and let the recycler know it is curved when you arrive.

Can I recycle a monitor with a cracked screen?

Yes. A cracked screen is still recyclable and does not require special handling beyond what you would do with any monitor. Wrap it carefully so the glass does not break further and cut your hands. The recycler will handle it safely once it arrives.