New York guide
How to get rid of TVs and electronics in New York
Under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, covered electronic equipment may not go in the trash, curbside trash, landfills, or waste-to-energy facilities. Manufacturers must provide free and convenient recycling for most consumers.
Facts checked against NYSDEC and town sources on 2026-11-05.
Statewide disposal ban and take-back
- Consumer disposal ban for covered electronics took effect January 1, 2015 (NYSDEC).
- Covered equipment includes computers, computer peripherals, televisions (over 4 inches diagonally), small-scale servers, and listed small electronic equipment. See the DEC covered-equipment table for the full list and exclusions (appliances, phones of any type, cameras, and many other devices are excluded).
- Option 1: use a manufacturer's free and convenient take-back program (mail-back or collection). Manufacturers must cover shipping when mail-back is the method.
- Option 2: go to a registered NYS electronic waste collection site. Call ahead. Sites not tied to a manufacturer program may charge a fee.
- Most consumers should not be charged by manufacturers. For-profit businesses with 50+ full-time employees and nonprofits with 75+ full-time employees may be charged. Premium services (data wiping, at-home pickup beyond mail-back, etc.) may cost extra.
- Wireless Telephone Recycling Act separately requires wireless suppliers that sell phones to take back up to 10 cell phones for free reuse/recycling or free shipping to a program.
Sources: NYSDEC Electronic Waste Recycling, Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste.
Town pages on TownDumps
- Babylon - E-waste/electronics listed among acceptable drop-off items at the Center.
- Bethlehem - Free for listed consumer electronics. No batteries or fluorescent bulbs in that stream.
- Brookhaven - Confirm current e-waste drop-off options with Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management; do not assume landfill tip rules cover electronics.
- Colonie - Resident drop-off at Residential Recycling Station. Monitors $10; TVs to 50" $15; projection/over 50" $25; many other electronics free. Non-residents not accepted for electronics.
- East Hampton - Accepted at East Hampton Recycling Center metals/electronics area per Town recycling guide. Confirm any fee on the 2026 residential fee schedule.
- Islip - Free e-waste drop-off for Islip residents at the Multi-Purpose Recycling Facility. NYS also requires manufacturer take-back programs.
- Southampton - Electronics listed among materials accepted at North Sea; confirm attendant instructions and any fee on the Waste Management Fee Schedule.