This blog was originally published in Aug 2012 and was recently updated in March 2022.
Santa Anita Park isn’t just for betting on the ponies. Recently, the famed race track played host to Los Angeles County’s hazardous and e-waste collection drive. Basically, this was the perfect time to get rid of all that stuff you know you can’t throw out in the garbage. On the hazardous waste list are things like brake fluid, paint, paint thinner, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides or herbicides, household and car batteries, pool chemicals, motor oil, oil filters, expired pharmaceuticals, anti-freeze and fluorescent light bulbs. Residents were also encouraged to bring their electronic waste or e-waste. That would essentially be anything you can plug into a socket such as computer monitors, televisions, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers and cell phones.
The organizers were really excited about this event: “This is one of L.A. County’s largest e-waste collections for the entire year,” Santa Anita’s special projects and community service Director Pete Siberell said. “We’re set up well, with good access and we’re happy to be in a position to help.”
Unfortunately, by the time you read this article the drop off event has already come and gone. That’s because even with all that planning and excitement it was only a single day affair that lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Anita isn’t one of the most convenient places for most of Los Angeles residents to get to on a Saturday morning. Then there is all the hauling. You could probably fill up your SUV with pounds of electronic waste but loading up that car is going to add time to your trip. If you missed the event, you might have to wait several more months before the next one. The better way approach for getting rid of your e-waste would be to call up Junk King Los Angeles.
Since opening its doors for business in LA, Junk King has quickly become the “go to” company for eco-friendly junk removal. That’s because Junk King treats each of their customers with the highest standards of professionalism and respect, coupled with their respect for the local environment.
Suppose you just have a couple of monitors and an old TV you want to get rid of. Is it still worth calling Junk King? Absolutely. That’s because you can take full advantage of your Junk King appointment by getting rid of all of your clutter. That can include, but not be limited to, all manner of old furniture, appliances, mattresses, lamps, workout equipment, car parts, patio furniture and/or air conditioners. Just about anything that can be tossed onto the Junk King truck can be taken away.
Junk King LA will also do their best to make sure your junk is diverted away from landfills and towards recycling centers and that’s especially important for e-waste. This means getting rid of your junk with Junk King Los Angeles counts as reducing your carbon footprint. That’s a win/win!
Have Questions About How To Dispose of Your Old, Broken, or Used TV? Look No Further
We all have a deep relationship with our TVs. For years we have watched our favorite teams as they move through their seasons. We’ve lived for the final season of our favorite shows and witnessed international events from the news desk of our local broadcast station.
Television is such a big part of our lives that, according to Nielson, there is an average of 2.5 televisions per household. A whopping 31% of households have more than four television sets. So, we might move our main TV into a bedroom or rec room, but sooner or later we need to part ways with our older models.
We have many options, of course, whether we’re to the latest big-screen model on sale during Black Friday or replacing an older television that has finally stopped working. The most crucial factor is how do we properly dispose of older TVs and stands; we can free up space for the latest viewing experience.
TV technology advances so quickly that there are endless models and styles from yesteryear scattered across American households’ living rooms and dens. You never know when you might need to hire a crew to lift granny’s 200 lbs. console television from the ’60s out to the curb (where it doesn’t belong!) On the other hand, it gets a lot easier for those smaller cabinet monitors that used to play in kitchens while your dad peeled potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.
There are many ways to safely dispose of your old TVs. Keep in mind that each generation had different parts and internal mechanics. There may be some strict rules in your local community about how you can adequately deal with those machines. Even modern LED screens often require special attention before tossing into the trash bin.
Selling Your Used Television
Probably the easiest way to getting rid of your older television is to sell your TV to friends or family. There is always a teenager willing to stick a TV in their room or a college student who wants a television in the background of their dorm room. Make sure you write down your TV’s exact make and model before suggesting anyone purchase it from you. You should also take some quality photos to use for posting to different trading sites.
If no one you know personally wants your used TV, try online sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. There is usually some person happy to pick up an extra TV for their garages or man cave. There is even a decent market for really old models by collectors, artists, and ironic fans. If you are lucky enough to have a TV with a video game system installed internally, you might even get a few extra bucks.
Alternately, you could always have a yard sale or take advantage of a community/organization’s group rummage sale. You can sell your TV as part of their fundraiser, and they do all the hard work while you make some extra cash minus their reasonable commission. Ask around your neighborhood to see if anyone is willing to partner up for a community yard sale.
Visit your local pawn or thrift store and see if they are interested in purchasing your used television. While you may not get the total value of selling it to a local friend, you can still put some extra scratch in your pocket. The market for vintage TVs can be pretty strong, based on the style and model.
But in all cases, don’t get your hopes up for a great price for your used TV. What was leading edge five years ago is not very ‘techie’ by today’s standards. And just because you have fond memories attached to your old TV doesn’t mean it’s valuable to anyone else.
Donating Your Old or Used TV
Your local branch of the Salvation Army and Goodwill may be willing to accept donations of used televisions. They tend to sell well inside their stores and help drive the charity’s mission. However, these organizations are often overwhelmed with technology donations. It is always better to check your local charities first. Some locations offer small appliance pick-up services for your donation, and that may include TVs up to a specific size.
Check with your local school, churches, and outreach community programs. They often have large groups they need to keep entertained and will accept donations of any kind of TV. If you don’t know where to begin, try reaching out to any community Facebook pages/groups. They will answer your questions and direct you to organizations that can benefit from your donation.
Always collect a receipt from those donations so you can claim your used TV as a deduction on your next taxes. While it may not be the same as cash in your pocket, it can reduce the amount you have to pay at the end of the year.
There is almost certainly someone in your local neighborhood that will happily take the TV donation. A lot of older people live on fixed incomes and cannot afford to upgrade their ancient screens. It can be an enriching experience to donate your TV to someone in need. You get the free space you need, and they get something new to make the days a little easier.
DON’T Toss Your Broken or old TV into the Trash
Here’s the rub: TV’s are both an asset and a liability; it needs to be disposed of properly. Practically every landfill and waste management facility will fine you for tossing your broken TV into their facility. It may even be a crime resulting in a hefty fine from your local legal authority. This includes setting it out for your refuse service to pick up. Chances are, they won’t take it.
Why not? TVs, especially older televisions, often contain harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable parts. TVs are not meant to rest in landfills, releasing corrosive toxins into the soil and groundwater. The last thing you want to do is be responsible for harming our earth, animals, plant life, or fellow human beings.
Before you try to dump your old TV, read through your local waste management’s website and see if they offer particular pick-up or recycling facilities. They should be able to direct you towards special services that can manage the proper disposal of broken televisions for a small fee. In addition, they are trained in handling the different metal and chemical components found in old TVs. They know where those materials should end up for final processing.
Professional Junk Pick-up and Recycle Haulers
Your best option, assuming you can’t or don’t want the hassle of selling your older TV, is to call a professional junk hauler to come and remove your broken, used, or old televisions. They will dismantle the device and recycle any part of the value and then properly dispose on a TV material that can’t be recycled. In addition to knowing how to properly dispose of your us TV, they will be assuming the responsibility of your TV liability. Your house is cleared of the old and ready for the new, and you’re off the hook, so to speak, for your old TV.
The best part is they can come to you. This is especially useful for those giant console TVs left in storage units. Some cabinet TVs can weigh too much for any one person to manage safely. A professional junk hauler will be the proper equipment and muscle to safely remove your item without damaging your home or floor.
If your TV doesn’t work, a professional service is going to be your most reasonable option. They are experts in salvaging what they can and then donating or recycling what they cannot.
When you use the professional junk haulers to remove your old TV, you can rest assured you’ve taken the right steps for “out with the old,” and you can have fun shopping with a clear conscience for the “in with the new” portion of the equation.
Why Hire Junk King Los Angeles
Junk King Los Angeles offers the most reliable, efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly furniture disposal service for residents and business owners in Los Angeles County. We are the pioneers of recycling-based junk removal and can help you reduce your environmental footprint by ensuring that your junk gets every opportunity to be recycled, upcycled, or donated. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, or book online today!
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Santa Anita Park isn’t just for betting on the ponies. Recently, the famed race track played host to Los Angeles County’s hazardous and e-waste collection drive. Basically, this was the perfect time to get rid of all that stuff you know you can’t throw out in the garbage. On the hazardous waste list are things like brake fluid, paint, paint thinner, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides or herbicides, household and car batteries, pool chemicals, motor oil, oil filters, expired pharmaceuticals, anti-freeze and fluorescent light bulbs. Residents were also encouraged to bring their electronic waste or e-waste. That would essentially be anything you can plug into a socket such as computer monitors, televisions, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers and cell phones.
Over in Universal City the studio had developed a plan to build thousands of residential units on the back lot. Now it looks as though that plan has been scrapped in favor of adding more movie and television production facilities and expanding Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. As with any type of major project like this the local residents were already giving it the thumbs down. Apparently they don’t want any new neighbors.
Los Angeles has always been a leader when it comes to recycling programs. They were first among the nation’s largest cities to adopt a weekly recycling program for its residents. Since its inception, the LA recycling program has meant tons and tons of garbage has been diverted away from landfills and redirected to recycling centers for repurposing and reuse. As a way of looking into expanding those initial programs, local officials are always looking towards other innovations instituted by cities around the country. One of the most extensive ideas is something that is being put forth in Seattle: cutting back on weekly garbage pickups.