How Much Is My Broken TV Worth?

The average household spends a lot of time watching their TV, and it’s one appliance that we certainly get our money’s worth buying.

However, these devices weren’t made to last forever, and when yours starts to fail or dies completely, you might be wondering what your options are.

You’ve probably googled ‘how much is my broken TV worth’ in an attempt to get some sort of payment for your troubles, but in most cases, the best solution is to have it recycled.

Any old appliance comes with a range of issues when disposing of it or trying to sell it once it no longer works, and often recycling is the better way to go.

How much will you get for a broken TV and how do you get rid of it?

Depending on the model of your TV and what condition it’s in, you can expect to earn very little trying to sell a broken one. Some places will buy old appliances for scraps and parts, or with the intention of fixing and selling it on, but you won’t earn enough in most cases to make the effort worth it.

If you’ve got an old TV that’s on the brink and you want to know what your options are, the environmentally friendly way is always best. We’ll show you what’s possible with selling, donating, and recycling your old TV so you can get the best outcome for you and planet earth.

Can Your Broken TV Be Reused?

A TV is like any other appliance in that it’s full of complicated parts and working mechanisms that many everyday people know nothing about. If your TV has stopped all of a sudden or is showing signs of failure, there might be others who can fix it before you give up on it entirely.

If your TV is relatively new but no longer within the warranty period, it might be worth contacting an electrician to check it out. The problem could be easier than you realize, and it saves you from having to purchase a brand new TV and find somewhere for your old one to go.

However, if you think the appliance is past its prime, but still believe it might be valuable to someone else, you might be able to sell or donate it. Some people can get scrap and parts from televisions and other appliances, or they will be able to fix it and then sell it on for a profit.

What’s important when dealing with old televisions and other appliances is that they contain dangerous parts, and any electrical product like this has the potential to do serious harm.

Therefore, unless you are fully qualified to deal with a broken appliance, you should avoid trying to reuse it for another purpose, and not give out any advice to people looking to buy one.

The Parts of a TV and What They’re Worth

There are four main parts to a TV, and when it breaks down, you’ll probably find just one of these areas is responsible.

These are the main components of a television and a little more about what they do, so you can see if it’s worth trying to sell yours once it’s broken down.

Electronics

Within these electronics include things like computer chips, receivers, and antennas.

The right minds can strip these parts away from a TV to use them elsewhere, but it takes someone with skill and know-how. When recycling, the electronics feature materials like copper that can be used elsewhere.

Audio and speaker system

This part might also be used in another way, but generally only with similar TV makes and models.

A broken speaker system would usually mean that the picture of your TV is still working fine, and could be an easy fix.

Housing

This is the casing or exterior that goes around all of the parts of the television.

On its own, it’s not worth much, but this is a part that can be broken down and recycled should you choose to go that route.

Picture tube

The picture tube is the cathode ray tube located inside the television and is responsible for showing you the pictures you see on it.

These tubes are recyclable and contain some important materials that can be stripped down in the process.

How to Sell, Donate, or List Your Old TV

If you’re ready to get rid of your old TV but aren’t sure what the best options are, we’re here to help.

Whether you want to take an eco-friendly approach or would prefer to make some money from the process, these are your best options when it comes to passing on your old TV.

Sell it second hand

If you’re able to, you can sell an old TV to make some extra cash that you can put toward a new purchase.

Don’t expect to get much though, especially if it’s having problems, and be upfront about its condition in the ad.

Donate to a charity

For TVs that are still in working order but just a little old, you might want to donate it to a charity or individual.

This ensures someone in need gets use out of it and keeps it from being thrown away.

Get it fixed

Sometimes it’s cheaper and easier to have a licensed professional perform the necessary work needed to bring your TV back to life.

If it’s an older TV, you might be better off purchasing a newer, more energy-efficient model instead.

Have it recycled

If you want to get rid of the TV the most environmentally friendly way, recycling is the way to go.

Check with your local recycling program to see what’s involved in the process and how it can be collected.

Recycling TVs and What’s Involved

When you’ve explored all other options and find that it’s not worth your time or effort trying to sell an old TV, the next best thing is to have it recycled.

As a larger item and one with potentially dangerous parts, you should leave this job to the professionals rather than attempting it yourself.

To find local recycling programs and centers near you, do a quick search online to see what is close. You can either drop the TV off to them if you have the right type of vehicle or organize pickup for a small fee.

Either way, you’ll be ensuring the TV is broken down and its parts separated so that it can be recycled and put to good use.

One of the easiest ways to recycle an old TV is to use the store that you purchased a new one from.

f you give them notice, they might be able to take your old TV when they deliver the new one and will have several recycling facilities that they work with. This takes the matter off your hands and ensures it’s recycled the right way without a fuss.

Related Questions

Whether it’s your TV, refrigerator, and any other appliance at home that’s stopped working, you want to do everything you can to ensure it doesn’t end up in a landfill taking up space.

It’s up to us to make an effort to dispose of and recycle what we can and do it the right way, so check out the answers to some commonly asked questions that can help you do just that.

Can You Recycle a Pizza Box?

Pizza boxes are one of the worst offenders in recycling as a greasy one can contaminate all of the other materials near them, and people often throw them away in a rush.

However, if you’re throwing away a relatively clean box with minimal oil and no food scraps in it, most recycling programs and centers will accept this and be able to work with the cardboard box.

How Do I Recycle Plastic Bags?

Although made of plastic, a commonly recycled material, plastic bags, and other soft forms of plastic can’t be placed with your regular curbside recycling bin collection.

However, there are many stores now that accept these forms of soft plastic and are dedicated to taking them to the correct facilities so they can be recycled correctly.

Is It Legal to Dump a TV?

Some states have made it illegal to dispose of electronics like TVs and computers, with a preference for recycling being known.

If you do have to throw out an old television, the best option is to have it recycled at the correct facilities, to keep it out of landfill, and allow it to be used to make other products in the future.