Knoxville TV & Electronics Disposal: Drop-Off, Pickup & Prep Guide (2026)

Jurisdiction: Knoxville city limits only. Item types: TVs (CRT tube, flat-panel LED/LCD, projection), computer monitors, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phones, printers, peripherals, cables, and small electronics. Official source hub: City of Knoxville Waste & Resources Management Contact: Knoxville 311 / 865-215-4311

If you live in Knoxville and need to dispose of a TV, monitor, computer, or other electronics, the city website does not publish a single e-waste program page with clear answers. Instead it routes all waste and recycling questions through 311 (865-215-4311) and directs residents to the Solid Waste Facility for items that cannot go in regular curbside pickup. This guide lays out the available routes, flags what the official sources do and do not confirm, and tells you exactly who to call and what to ask before you haul anything.

Quick Answer: Your Three Knoxville Electronics Routes

The single most important step: Call 311 or 865-215-4311, give them your address, and ask what electronics options your address qualifies for. This one call prevents a wasted trip, an unexpected fee, or a fine.

Quick Facts: Knoxville TV & Electronics Disposal

Route Comparison

Every cell marked Verify means the official sources do not provide a published answer — you must make a phone call.

Official source note: The city's Waste & Resources Management page explicitly states that facility-specific acceptance and fees must be verified before hauling. This is a direct instruction from the city, not an abundance of caution.

Route 1: City Curbside Pickup — High Uncertainty

The official hub links to separate pages for garbage, recycling, yard waste, and the Solid Waste Facility. Electronics are not listed in the scope of regular garbage or recycling pickup.

Your action: Call 311 or 865-215-4311. Ask: "Does my address qualify for curbside TV or electronics pickup? Is there a fee? Do I need an appointment? Are there size or quantity limits?"

Route 2: Solid Waste Facility Drop-Off — Likely Route, Details Unknown

The Solid Waste Facility is the city's official location for items not accepted curbside. It is the most likely route for Knoxville electronics.

What is NOT known from verified sources: - Complete item acceptance list by type - Whether CRT (tube) TVs are handled differently from flat-panel - Whether a per-item fee exists (the city says to verify before hauling) - Whether an appointment is required - Operating hours and check-in procedures

Your action: Call 311 or the facility. Ask: "Do you accept [your exact item — e.g., a 55-inch flat-panel, a CRT monitor, a laptop]? What is the fee? Do I need an appointment? What hours? Do I need proof of residency? Is there a limit on items?"

Route 3: Retailer Takeback — Convenient Fallback

National retailer programs are available at Knoxville-area stores. These are not city services, but serve as useful backup options.

Best Buy: Accepts TVs, computers, monitors, phones, and peripherals. TVs over a certain size may carry a recycling fee. Fees and policies vary by store.

Staples: Accepts computers, monitors, and printers. Fees and limits vary. Some items are free; TVs may not be accepted.

Call the specific store's local number — not the national line. Ask: "Do you accept my item type? What is the exact recycling fee? How many items can I bring? Do you accept cracked screens or damaged electronics? Do you take CRT tube TVs?"

TVs & Monitors vs. Small Electronics: Why It Matters

CRT TVs (tube type): 50–150 pounds, contain 4–8 pounds of lead in the glass. Fewer facilities accept them each year. Some charge higher fees. Cracked CRTs may be refused entirely. Tape over any cracks with packing tape. Do not open the casing — the tube holds a lethal charge even when unplugged.

Flat-panel TVs (LED, LCD, plasma): 20–80 pounds. Some backlights contain mercury. Most drop-off and retailer programs accept them. Fees are typical for larger screens. Transport upright when possible.

Computer monitors: Flat-panel monitors are widely accepted. CRT monitors face the same declining acceptance as CRT TVs — call ahead.

Small electronics (phones, tablets, keyboards, mice, cables, printers): Generally no per-item fee. Devices with built-in lithium batteries (phones, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones) must be declared at drop-off — batteries can ignite when crushed. If the battery is removable, take it out and tape the terminals before transport.

Address & Town-Limits Warning

This guide covers Knoxville city limits only. Residents of Knox County outside city limits (Farragut, Powell, Halls, Karns, Hardin Valley, unincorporated areas) must contact the Knox County Solid Waste office — city programs do not apply. Even inside city limits, some neighborhoods, HOAs, and newer subdivisions have private hauler contracts. Call 311 with your address to confirm your service type.

Step-by-Step Local Walkthrough

1. Call 311 or 865-215-4311. Ask about electronics options for your address, Solid Waste Facility rules, and whether you have city or private-hauler service.
2. Choose your route based on what 311 tells you: curbside (if eligible), facility drop-off (if you can transport), or retailer takeback.
3. Verify specifics. Call the facility or store with your exact item type, size, and condition. Ask about fees, appointments, hours, and proof of residency.
4. Prepare the item. Wipe data, remove batteries, tape battery terminals, secure cracked screens. Gather proof of residency.
5. Book appointments if required — some facilities book days in advance.
6. Reconfirm the day before. Hours, fees, and acceptance change without notice.

Data Removal, Battery Prep & Safety

Data Removal

• Smart TVs: Sign out of streaming services, unlink from Google/Apple account, factory reset.
• Computers: Back up files, securely wipe the hard drive, or physically remove/destroy it for sensitive data.
• Phones/tablets: Factory reset, remove SIM and SD cards, sign out of iCloud/Google to deactivate activation lock.
• Printers: Factory reset, remove ink/toner cartridges.

Battery Prep

• Remove all loose or removable lithium-ion batteries (laptops, phones, cameras, wireless peripherals).
• Tape the terminals with electrical or packing tape to prevent short-circuit fires during transport.
• If the battery is built-in and non-removable, tell the facility before dropping off. Do not try to pry it out.
• Never put loose lithium batteries in garbage or recycling carts.

Safety

• CRT high voltage: Do not open a CRT casing. The tube holds a lethal charge even when unplugged.
• Cracked screens: Tape over cracks to contain lead dust (CRT) or liquid crystal. Wear gloves.
• Heavy items: CRTs and large flat-panels require a two-person lift and a hand truck. Secure in the vehicle.
• Transport upright for flat-panel TVs. If laying flat, pad the screen side.

Resident Scenarios

Homeowner with a 32-inch flat-panel TV. Call 311 first. If the Solid Waste Facility accepts it for a known fee, drive it over. If the fee is unclear or high, check with a Knoxville Best Buy or Staples and compare costs.

Apartment renter with an old desktop computer. Start with your property manager — your building likely uses a private hauler. If no e-waste program exists, use a retailer takeback for the tower and monitor. Wipe or remove the hard drive first.

Renter with a broken CRT TV in storage. Call 311 and ask whether the Solid Waste Facility accepts cracked CRTs. If not, ask for licensed e-waste recyclers in the area. Do not put the CRT in a shared dumpster — that is illegal dumping.

Homeowner doing a full office clean-out. The Solid Waste Facility is your best bet — one trip for multiple items. Call ahead to confirm all item types are accepted and whether a single fee covers the lot.

Senior resident with no vehicle. Call 311 and ask whether curbside electronics pickup is available. If not, ask about community assistance programs. Do not place the TV in regular trash without confirming.

Apartment & Multifamily Caveats

If you rent or live in an HOA or condo, most of the city pickup information above may not apply.

• Private hauler contracts. Apartments and HOAs typically use private haulers separately from city service. Electronics pickup depends on the specific contract.
• Shared dumpsters are not for electronics. Placing a TV or computer in an apartment dumpster likely violates the waste contract and can result in fines.
• Ask your property manager: Who is our hauler? Does our contract cover electronics? Is there a building e-waste collection event?
• Business addresses: If your home is also a registered business, residential waste programs may not apply. Commercial electronics disposal often requires a licensed hauler and certified data destruction. Confirm with 311.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming curbside pickup accepts electronics. The city hub does not list electronics in its pickup scope. Call 311.
2. Showing up at the Solid Waste Facility without calling first. The city's own website tells you to verify before hauling.
3. Leaving batteries in devices. Lithium batteries start fires in collection trucks. Facilities will refuse items with intact batteries.
4. Trusting social media advice. A Facebook post about "free TV recycling" is often outdated. Call the actual store or facility.
5. Putting electronics in apartment dumpsters. Violates the building's waste contract and can mean fines.
6. Skipping data removal. Smart TVs and devices store Wi-Fi passwords and personal data. A factory reset takes five minutes.
7. Transporting a large CRT alone. These TVs are dense and have no handholds. A fall can cause serious injury and release lead dust.

Official Verification Checklist

1. Call 311 or 865-215-4311. Ask what electronics options your address qualifies for.
2. If you rent or live in an HOA: Contact property management about the building's hauler and electronics policy.
3. If using curbside pickup: Confirm electronics acceptance, fee, scheduling, and item limits with 311.
4. If using the Solid Waste Facility: Confirm item acceptance, fee (exact dollar amount), appointment, hours, and proof of residency.
5. If using a retailer: Call the specific Knoxville store. Confirm item acceptance, fee, quantity limits, and damaged-item policy.
6. Prepare: Factory reset, wipe data, remove batteries and tape terminals, secure cracked screens, gather proof of residency.
7. Book appointments if required.
8. Reconfirm the day before — policies change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a small TV in my regular trash cart? The city hub does not list electronics as accepted in garbage or recycling. Call 311 before placing any electronic item in the trash. Items with lithium batteries may be prohibited from landfill disposal under Tennessee law.

Does the Knoxville Solid Waste Facility charge a fee for TVs? Fee details are not published in available city sources. The city website directs residents to verify fees before hauling. Call 311 or the facility directly.

Does Best Buy in Knoxville accept old TVs? Best Buy's national recycling program is available at participating stores, but fees and policies vary by location. Call the specific Knoxville store you plan to visit — not the national line.

What if my electronics still work? Donate, sell, or give them away. Call the receiving organization first — many have age, size, or feature requirements.

How do I dispose of a cracked CRT TV? Call 311 and ask if the Solid Waste Facility accepts cracked CRTs. If not, ask for licensed Knoxville-area e-waste recyclers that handle damaged CRTs. Tape over the crack with packing tape before transport.

Does Knoxville hold e-waste collection events? The city hub does not prominently list recurring events. Call 311 and ask if any are scheduled.

Can I put electronics in my apartment dumpster? Almost certainly not. Contact your property manager to confirm.

I live outside Knoxville city limits. Where do I dispose of electronics? Contact the Knox County Solid Waste office. City of Knoxville programs do not apply.

Sources

• City of Knoxville Waste & Resources Management (official municipal hub) — Routes residents to 311 for trash, recycling, and cart issues. Links to Garbage, Recycling, Yard Waste/Compost, and Solid Waste Facility pages. knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/public_service/waste_and_resources_management Contact: 311 / 865-215-4311

• City of Knoxville Solid Waste Facility — Designated drop-off for items not accepted on regular curbside pickup. Acceptance by item type, fees, hours, and appointment policy must be verified directly.

• Best Buy Recycling Program — National electronics takeback. Store-level fees and policies vary by location.

• Staples Recycling Program — National electronics/printer takeback. Store-level participation varies.

Last updated: July 2026 Next verification recommended: Before your next disposal trip. Questions? Call Knoxville 311 at 865-215-4311.