Rules

Can you throw away a TV in Illinois?

Published October 12, 2026 by WasteBox Inc.

Illinois has banned televisions from landfills since January 1, 2026, and the ban covers households. WasteBox accepts TVs and other electronics in its dumpsters, so mention them when you call.

What the Illinois rule says

Illinois EPA says that effective January 1, 2026, the covered electronic devices are banned from landfills. Televisions are on the list. The ban applies to households, businesses, schools and government agencies, so a homeowner clearing out a basement is covered like anyone else.

The state gives its reason in one line: electronics contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

What else is on the list

A TV is one of 19 device types on Illinois EPA's list. The others are:

Cable receivers
CED peripherals
Computers (desktop, laptop, netbook, notebook, tablet)
Digital converter boxes
Digital video disc players
Digital video disc recorders
Electronic keyboards
Electronic mice
Facsimile machines
Home audio components such as speakers, stereos and amps
Monitors
Portable digital music players
Printers
Satellite receivers
Scanners
Small scale servers
Videocassette recorders
Video game consoles

What about a broken or old TV

A broken TV still counts as a TV for the ban, and it can still be recycled. Illinois EPA says damaged, non-working or outdated electronics are accepted as long as they are covered devices.

Other places to take a TV

Illinois EPA points people to its Beyond the Bin map. Open the Electronics layer to find collection sites near you.

Call the site first. Illinois EPA warns that collectors do not all accept every device type, and a site that takes computers may not take a TV.

What it costs

Most public recycling programs are free for consumers. Public program sites and one-day events may charge a fee only for TVs and monitors. Retail and private sites can set their own fees, so ask when you call.

TVs are not the only banned item

Illinois has banned other items from landfills for years. Yard waste has been banned since July 1, 1990. Used tires have been banned since July 1, 1994. Refrigerators and other white goods are banned too, unless their refrigerant gas, mercury switches and PCBs were removed first. The what can go in a dumpster page lists the rest.

A simple plan before the box arrives

Walk the house once and note everything on the list above. Then order the dumpster and mention those items when you call. If you would rather recycle a TV yourself, call a collector from the Beyond the Bin map and ask whether it takes your device type.

What this means for a cleanout dumpster

If you are clearing out a house, keep the TVs, monitors, computers and printers in one spot so they are easy to find. Our TV page and the what can go in a dumpster list show where electronics stand with us.

WasteBox accepts TVs and other electronics in its dumpsters, so mention them when you call.

A mattress is a different case. WasteBox takes mattresses for a $25 mattress fee, and the mattress page has the details.

Sizing a cleanout is a separate question. The cleanout dumpster page and the size calculator help you pick.

Need a dumpster for a cleanout? Call us.

Call 630-850-0770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. Or request a quote and we will get back to you.

Questions people ask

Does the Illinois TV ban apply to homeowners?

Yes. Illinois EPA says the landfill ban applies to households, businesses, schools and government agencies.

Can I recycle a TV that does not work?

Yes. Illinois EPA says damaged, non-working or outdated electronics are accepted as long as they are covered devices.

Is it free to recycle a TV in Illinois?

Most public recycling programs are free for consumers. Public sites and one-day events can charge a fee for TVs and monitors, and retail sites set their own.

Book a dumpster

Call and describe the job. We size the container with you, give you the price on that call and book the date. Same-day delivery when the route allows.

Call 630-850-0770 Request a quote