Disposing of an old television safely is more involved than simply throwing it away, as TVs are bulky, awkward to move and often contain hazardous materials that should not go to landfill. The advice matters because a discarded TV may still have value to someone else, and even when it doesn't, proper e-waste recycling protects both personal data and the environment.

Before parting with a working set, owners should test it thoroughly, sign out of streaming apps, remove saved Wi-Fi details via a factory reset, and take out any USB drives or streaming sticks. A working TV can then be given away or sold via friends, family, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, donated to charities or thrift stores (though old CRT sets are usually refused due to harmful chemicals), or repurposed at home using a streaming stick such as Apple TV, Roku or Chromecast. If no one wants it, it must not go in general rubbish, since TVs can contain lead and mercury, and should instead be taken to a proper e-waste recycling scheme following local guidance.