Quick answer: In California, it is illegal to dispose of covered electronic devices, including TVs, computer monitors, laptops, and certain other electronics, in the regular trash or landfill. In Livermore and the East Bay, you can recycle e-waste for free at Alameda County StopWaste collection events, certified e-waste recyclers, or retail take-back programs at Best Buy and Staples. For large quantities, bulky items like TVs and desktop computers, or any e-waste combined with a larger cleanout, Junk Removal Now offers same-day e-waste pickup and hauls directly from inside your home.
Every year, Californians replace millions of phones, laptops, televisions, and other devices, and most people have no idea what to do with the old ones. The answer isn’t the trash, it isn’t the dumpster, and it isn’t leaving them on the curb. Here’s exactly what your options are in the East Bay and how to choose the fastest, most responsible path.
Why You Can’t Trash Electronics in California
California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act (SB 20/SB 50) prohibits the disposal of “covered electronic devices” (CEDs) in landfills and standard trash. The law applies to any device with a screen, televisions, computer monitors, laptops, and tablets, and carries penalties for improper disposal.
Beyond the legal requirement, electronics contain materials that are genuinely hazardous in landfills: lead (in older CRT monitors and TVs), mercury (in some backlights), cadmium, beryllium, and brominated flame retardants. Recycling recovers valuable materials including gold, silver, copper, and aluminum that would otherwise be lost.
The good news: California’s e-waste infrastructure is extensive, and free recycling options are widely available in Alameda and Contra Costa County.
What Counts as E-Waste?
Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs), illegal to landfill in California:
- Televisions of all sizes (flat screen, CRT, projection)
- Computer monitors (LCD, LED, CRT)
- Laptops and portable computers
- Tablets and e-readers
Other electronics, strongly recommended for recycling, not required by CED law but accepted at most e-waste facilities:
- Desktop computers and towers
- Printers, copiers, and scanners
- Keyboards, mice, and peripherals
- Smartphones and cell phones
- Cameras and video equipment
- Game consoles and controllers
- DVD/Blu-ray players and stereo equipment
- Small kitchen appliances with electronic components
- Power tools with electronic controls
- Cables, chargers, and batteries
Option 1: Alameda County StopWaste E-Waste Collection (Free for Residents)
Alameda County operates free e-waste drop-off events and permanent collection facilities through the StopWaste program. Residents can drop off electronics at no charge, no appointment required at most locations.
How to find your nearest drop-off: Visit stopwaste.org for current collection event schedules and permanent facility locations throughout Alameda County.
Best for: Residents with a small quantity of electronics who can transport items to a drop-off location.
Limitation: You provide the transportation. For large items like big-screen TVs or multiple devices, getting them to a facility requires a truck or large vehicle.
Option 2: Contra Costa County E-Waste Recycling
Contra Costa County residents have access to free e-waste recycling through the county’s Household Hazardous Waste program, which accepts electronics at designated facilities in Pittsburg and Martinez, as well as periodic collection events throughout the county.
How to find current drop-off details: Visit the Contra Costa County website or call the county’s HHW hotline for current schedules and accepted items.
Option 3: Retail Take-Back Programs
Several major retailers accept used electronics for recycling regardless of where you purchased them:
Best Buy: Accepts most consumer electronics for recycling in-store, including TVs up to 32″ for free and larger TVs for a small fee. No purchase required.
Staples: Accepts computers, monitors, printers, and small electronics for recycling in-store.
Apple: Accepts Apple devices for trade-in or recycling at any Apple Store location.
Carrier stores (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile): Accept smartphones for trade-in or recycling programs.
Best for: Dropping off small devices, phones, laptops, small monitors, when you’re already near a retail location.
Limitation: Most retail programs have size and quantity limits. Large TVs, desktop towers, and high volumes of mixed electronics are better handled by a county facility or pickup service.
Option 4: Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Many electronics manufacturers operate take-back programs for their own devices:
- Dell: Accepts Dell products for free recycling through its mail-in program
- HP: Operates a hardware recycling program for HP devices
- Samsung: Offers trade-in and recycling options for Samsung products
- LG: Participates in California’s CEW program for TV and monitor recycling
Check the manufacturer’s website for current program availability and instructions.
Option 5: Professional E-Waste Pickup, Best for Large Quantities or Bulky Items
For anyone with more than a handful of devices, items too large or heavy to transport (big-screen TVs, desktop towers), or e-waste being cleared as part of a larger home or office cleanout, professional pickup is the most practical option.
Junk Removal Now accepts e-waste as part of any residential or commercial cleanout load and routes all electronics to certified e-waste recycling facilities in compliance with California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act. No landfilling, no improper disposal.
This option is particularly useful for:
- Estate cleanouts with large quantities of accumulated electronics
- Office cleanouts with computers, monitors, printers, and AV equipment
- Anyone clearing a storage unit, attic, or garage with years of old devices
- Large-screen TVs (65″+) that are too heavy or awkward to transport independently
- Mixed loads where e-waste is part of a larger junk removal job
E-Waste Disposal by Device Type
Televisions Among the most common e-waste items, and one of the trickiest to dispose of independently due to size and weight. Large flat-screen TVs (65″+) can weigh 80–120 lbs and require two people to move safely. Best Buy accepts TVs up to 32″ free; larger TVs have a fee. Junk Removal Now hauls TVs of all sizes from inside the home.
Computers and Laptops Widely accepted at retail take-back, county facilities, and manufacturer programs. Before recycling any computer, wipe the hard drive or have it professionally destroyed to protect personal data. Junk Removal Now hauls computers but does not provide data destruction, ensure data is wiped before the crew arrives.
Smartphones and Tablets Best handled through carrier or manufacturer trade-in and recycling programs, which typically offer credit toward a new device. If devices are too old for trade-in value, retail take-back programs and county e-waste events accept them at no charge.
Printers and Copiers Accepted at most county e-waste facilities and retail take-back programs. Commercial-grade copiers and multifunction units are better handled through office equipment dealers or professional pickup.
CRT Monitors and TVs Older CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and televisions contain significant amounts of lead and are priority items for proper recycling. They’re accepted at county facilities and most certified e-waste recyclers. Due to their weight relative to size, they can be awkward to transport, professional pickup removes this obstacle.
Gaming Consoles and Electronics Accepted at county e-waste events and most retail take-back programs. Older consoles in working condition may have collector or resale value, worth checking before recycling.
Batteries Rechargeable batteries (from laptops, power tools, and phones) and household batteries are accepted at most retail stores through the Call2Recycle program, look for the collection bin at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and many grocery stores. Do not place loose lithium batteries in junk removal loads.
Data Security Before E-Waste Recycling
Before any electronic device leaves your possession for recycling, take these steps to protect your data:
Computers and laptops: Perform a full factory reset and, for maximum security, physically remove and destroy the hard drive before disposal.
Smartphones and tablets: Perform a factory reset and remove the SIM card.
Printers and copiers: Many modern multifunction printers store document images on an internal hard drive. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for clearing stored data before recycling.
External hard drives and USB drives: Perform a secure wipe using software like DBAN, or physically destroy the drive.
Data wiping is the device owner’s responsibility, recycling facilities and junk removal companies do not provide data destruction services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to throw a TV in the trash in California? Yes. Televisions are covered electronic devices under California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act and cannot be landfilled or placed in standard trash. Improper disposal can result in fines.
Can Junk Removal Now take old TVs and computers? Yes, electronics including TVs, computers, monitors, printers, and other e-waste are accepted as part of any residential or commercial cleanout. All electronics are routed to certified e-waste recycling facilities.
Where can I recycle electronics for free in Livermore? Alameda County StopWaste operates free e-waste drop-off events and permanent facilities for Alameda County residents. Best Buy in the Livermore area also accepts most consumer electronics for recycling at no charge.
Do I need to wipe my devices before junk removal picks them up? Yes, always wipe personal data from any device before it leaves your possession. Junk Removal Now hauls electronics but does not provide data destruction. Factory reset laptops, phones, and tablets; remove or destroy hard drives from computers.
How much does e-waste pickup cost with Junk Removal Now? E-waste items are priced based on the volume they occupy in the truck, as part of a standard cleanout load. A free, firm on-site quote is provided before any work begins.
Can you pick up a large TV from an upstairs room? Yes, the crew handles all the carrying from wherever the item is located, including upstairs rooms, basements, and tight hallways.
What happens to the electronics after they’re hauled away? All electronics collected by Junk Removal Now are routed to certified e-waste recycling facilities where materials including gold, silver, copper, and aluminum are recovered and reused in manufacturing.
Old electronics piling up? Book your free pickup quote online or call (925) 400-3800. Junk Removal Now hauls e-waste of all kinds — from single TVs to full office cleanouts — throughout Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Oakland, Fremont, Concord, and all of Alameda and Contra Costa County.
