CRT & Tube TV Disposal in Houston
EverTrade no longer accepts CRT or tube TVs, but they are still the hardest TV to get rid of in Texas. Here is how to dispose of one safely, and the electronics we do recycle.
Please note: EverTrade no longer accepts CRT (tube-style) TVs or CRT computer monitors. We still recycle flat-screen TVs ($20 each) and most other electronics. For a tube TV or CRT monitor, the options below will point you to the right place.
CRT televisions, the deep, heavy tube sets from before flat panels, are the single hardest TV to get rid of in Texas. They contain four to eight pounds of lead in the funnel glass, phosphor coatings that are classified as universal waste, and a vacuum tube that can implode if it is dropped or cracked. Because of that leaded glass and the specialized downstream handling it needs, a CRT has to go to a recycler set up for it, processed under Texas TCEQ rules. The options below cover where to take one in the Houston area.
Why CRTs are not regular trash
Houston haulers, Texas landfills, and almost every donation center stopped taking tube TVs years ago. Here is what makes them different from a flat panel.
Where to take a CRT in the Houston area
Texas Recycles TVs program
Texas law requires TV manufacturers to offer free recycling to residents. Look up your TV brand on the TCEQ Texas Recycles TVs manufacturer list and use their takeback option.
Texas Recycles Computers program
CRT computer monitors fall under the companion manufacturer program. Look up your monitor brand on the TCEQ Texas Recycles Computers manufacturer list and use their takeback option.
City or county household hazardous waste
Most Houston-area cities and Fort Bend County run household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off events or centers that accept CRT TVs and monitors. Check your city or county solid-waste page for dates and locations.
A dedicated CRT recycler
Some specialized electronics recyclers still take leaded-glass CRTs for a fee. Call ahead to confirm they currently accept them before you drive over.
Texas runs the Texas Recycles TVs program through the TCEQ, which requires manufacturers to provide free TV recycling for residents. For a deeper look at how disposal works in our region, see our 2026 Houston e-waste report.
What EverTrade does recycle
We stopped taking CRTs, but we still handle nearly everything else, most of it free for residents.
Flat-screen TVs
LCD, LED, plasma, and OLED flat-panel TVs, any size, for a flat $20 processing fee each.
Computers and electronics
Desktops, laptops, servers, phones, printers, and most household electronics, free for residents.
Business and bulk lots
Office refreshes, school and church cleanouts, and business volumes, with pickup available for qualifying jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Does EverTrade accept CRT or tube TVs?
No. EverTrade no longer accepts CRT (tube-style) TVs or CRT computer monitors. For those, use the Texas Recycles TVs program (for TVs) or Texas Recycles Computers program (for monitors), or your city or county household hazardous waste program. We still recycle flat-screen TVs for a flat $20 fee and most other electronics free for residents.
Can I throw a CRT tube TV in the trash in Houston?
No. CRT televisions contain four to eight pounds of lead in the funnel glass plus phosphor coatings, which is why most Texas haulers and the City of Houston do not accept them at the curb. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality treats CRT glass as a regulated material that has to go through a recycler set up to handle it.
Where can I take a CRT TV in the Houston area?
Start with the Texas Recycles TVs program for a CRT TV, or the Texas Recycles Computers program for a CRT computer monitor: Texas law requires manufacturers to offer free recycling to residents, so look up your brand. Most Houston-area cities and Fort Bend County also run household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off events or centers that take CRT TVs and monitors. Check your local solid-waste page for dates and locations.
Why is a CRT harder to recycle than a flat-screen?
CRT funnel and panel glass are bonded with leaded frit and have to be separated, sorted, and shipped to specialized downstream processors. The phosphor coating inside the screen is also classified as universal waste. Modern flat-panel sets do not carry the same hazards, which is why EverTrade still recycles flat-screen TVs.
What if my CRT is already broken or cracked?
Handle it carefully because of glass shards and lead-bearing dust, and do not try to clean up a broken tube yourself. Contact your city or county household hazardous waste program, which is set up to take damaged CRTs safely.
Related Glossary Terms
E-Waste
Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to discarded electronic devices and equipment, including computers, monitors, phones, and peripherals that have reached end-of-life.
ComplianceTCEQ Reporting
TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) oversees electronic waste management in Texas and requires registered recyclers to report recycling volumes and downstream disposition.
ProcessesMaterial Recovery
Material recovery is the process of extracting valuable raw materials from recycled electronics, including precious metals (gold, silver, palladium), copper, aluminum, and plastics.
Have flat-screens or other electronics?
We stopped taking CRTs, but we still recycle flat-screen TVs and most electronics. Drop off in Sugar Land, or call us for business and bulk pickups.
Serving Houston & Surrounding Areas
Certified electronics recycling and IT asset disposition across Houston and the greater Houston metro: