Tuesday, December 17, 2024
by Mark Robison/Reno Gazette Journal
Got a broken TV and want to get rid of it properly — meaning not dumping it in the desert? Don’t go to WM, formerly called Waste Management. The disposal company will tell you that itself.
I called this month to dispose of a broken 55-inch flatscreen. WM said it would cost $142 to take it.
If my flatscreen TV had still worked, a number of nonprofit thrift stores will take it for free. These include Salvation Army, Reno Sparks Gospel Mission, SPCA Thrift Store, Friends of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Holy Cow Thrift and Beyond, and The Rock Thrift Store, according to recycling details from Keep Truckee Tahoe Beautiful.
It's recommended you call to verify before taking a TV to one of the thrift stores.
Unfortunately, my TV was broken. A web search brought me to Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions in Stead and Best Buy as much less expensive options.
Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions recycles old TVS in Reno and Sparks, Nevada — $45
What: Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions.
Cost: $45 to take a TV. If you use a credit or debit card to pay, there’s a $1.35 service fee.
Where: 13960 Mt. Anderson St., Reno. This is in the back of Stead in the North Valleys, not far past the WM transfer station.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Phone: 775-391-1319.
Notes: It charges $25 for CRT monitors and $10 for certified data destruction of hard drives with a discount for multiple drives. Other electronics are accepted for free such as desktop computers, laptops, cell phones, cameras, LCD monitors, computer peripherals, stereos, printers and microwaves.
Best Buy recycles 49" or smaller flatscreen TVs for $30
What: Best Buy.
Cost:$29.99 for 49" or smaller flatscreens or 31" or smaller tube TVs. Limit two TVs per household a day. For a bigger TV, Best Buy will come to your house and haul it away for $60 if you buy a replacement TV from Best Buy and have them install it or $200 if you don't make a purchase.
Where: 5575 S. Virginia St. in Reno and 155 Los Altos Pkwy. in Sparks.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Phone: 775-448-9797 Reno store, 775-626-8080 Sparks store
Notes: It will accept 49" and smaller Best Buy brand TVs (Insignia and Dynex) for free.
Why does it cost so much to dispose of a broken TV at WM?
I contacted WM to learn about disposing of TVs there. It will accept them at its 1390 E. Commercial Row location in Reno, but prices are high.
“While most of us immediately think of WM when we have something we want to get rid of — and thank you for that — not all waste is created equal,” said Kendra Kostelecky, contract manager at WM.
“WM focuses on trash (things that rot) and recycle (cardboard, glass, paper, tin and aluminum).”
WM will accept TVs in hopes of keeping them out of the landfill or open spaces, she said, but they are considered “electronic waste,” which is a controlled waste and not WM’s focus.
“Since WM has to pay a special waste processor to take these items, the charge is a bit higher than if a customer goes directly to those companies. At the transfer station, customers are told that Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions offers better pricing than WM.”
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