Where to Recycle Your Big Old TVs Today
- Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland. You can reach her at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org.
- (SIDE NOTE TO LOCAL MEDIA: Please feel free to recycle this article.)
You may have heard that free programs for recycling TVs are becoming more limited. An article by Mick Zawislak, printed in the Daily Herald about a month ago, offers an excellent overview of the array of complex issues contributing to the situation.
And, of course, you probably also saw last week’s article on Kane County Connects about the issues we’re seeing in the state of Illinois and here in Kane County on the lack of funding for electronics recycling programs and the closure of electronics drop-off locations.
A simple explanation is that over the last three years the landfill ban in addition to a host convenient drop-off locations and collection events that sprang into action in 2012, along with people’s desire to “do-the-right-thing,” all worked together to create an overly successful program! As new flat-screen TVs have become more affordable (and disposable), collection locations are drowning under the volume of big old TVs being brought in for recycling, creating logistical problems as well as unexpected costs.
As you may know, many locations simply do not take TVs anymore. Despite these challenges, the Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources has succeeded in maintaining a successful program to date and will continue to work to ensure recycling opportunities for County residents.
Kane County is still receiving TVs for free from Kane County residents during our monthly recycling events. The next two events are scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon April 9 and May 14 at 540 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. Aim for the May event if you wish to avoid the long lines we expect in April.
There are also two remaining permanent drop-off locations, at present. West Dundee Public Works and St. Charles Public Works drop-offs will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 8, at which time they will close down indefinitely. Kane County is working on new solutions for permanent drop-offs, so please check the website regularly for new information.
Please note: There may be a charge to recycle TVs in the future.
There are other options for you to recycle your TV right now — albeit for a fee, as below. Also please see the full list of drop-offs on the Kane County Recycles Electronics Drop-off webpage and below.
AVA E-Recycling, 200 Bloomingdale Road #210, Glendale Heights, 847-397-2900. Accepts all electronics (TVs have a fee to drop-off), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also provides a pickup service for a fee, please call to schedule pick up.
MRK Group Event, 801 N. State St., Unit C, Elgin, IL 60123, 847-468-1700. Accepts all electronics, including TVs, up to 10 items per resident or business (fees apply for TVs 32-inch and over, starting at $50) at a drop-off event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the LAST FRIDAY of every month, except during holidays. Call to inquire about schedule changes for holidays.
HOBI International, 1202 Nagel Boulevard, Batavia, IL 60510, 630-761-0500. Accepts all I.T. based electronics, and TVs (fees apply as follows: $13 for TVs under 25 inches; $27 for TVs 25 to 48 inches; and $54 for TVs over 48 inches). Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. No white goods (washers, refrigerators, etc.) or any household appliances.
City of Aurora Front Door Collection: for Aurora residents only, call 630-305-0922, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Collection fee applies.
Village of Montgomery Front Door Collection: Montgomery residents only, for curbside pickup of tube, plasma, and projection TVs call 866-929-5551. Collection fee of $35 applies.
Thanks for all that you do to Rethink, Reduce, and Reuse!
For more information, please see the Kane County Electronics Recycling Event webpage.
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About Kane County Recycles
The Kane County Recycles office manages recycling programs for electronics, books, hazardous materials, and other hard-to-recycle materials, and promotes best practices for household recycling, commercial business recycling, and composting. This office oversees recycling-related information and community outreach initiatives, oversees the annual licensing of Waste and Recycling Haulers, provides backyard compost bins, and implements the Kane County Solid Waste Plan. The office oversees the Recycling and Hauler Licensing Ordinance which requires commercial businesses and multi-family residences to recycle, and provides the provisions for hauler licensing and reporting.
For all you ever needed to know about recycling in Kane County see the Kane County Recycles webpage and also sign up here to receive an electronic copy of the new Green Guide each spring.
