TVs and Computer Monitors

Not surprisingly, televisions and computer monitors make up a large percentage of the electronics collected for recycling. Technology advances quickly nowadays, and the turnover for these products is rapid. Flat screens -- for both TVs and computer monitors -- are now the norm rather than the exception. It's hard to even find a CRT (cathode ray tube) model being sold anymore.

Why are TVs and computer monitors hazardous?

Like other electronic devices, TVs and monitors contain heavy metals that can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Of particular concern is the metal lead. Some TVs and monitors can contain as much as eight pounds each! Lead is very harmful to many of the body's tissues and organs, including the heart, kidneys, intestines, and bones. It can also impede vital reproductive and nervous system functions. That is why we have to make sure to recycle them properly.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (5)

  • Best Buy
  • Craigslist
  • E-Bay
  • Junk Recyclers — 6520 Platt Avenue #650
  • Santa Barbara Computer Recycling — 5378 Dariesa Street

• Carpinteria Area (1)

  • City of Carpinteria ABOP Center — 5775 Carpinteria Ave

• Santa Barbara Area (11)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • A-American Self-Storage — 1 North Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 120
  • A-American Self-Storage — 1 North Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 120
  • Apple Store — 928 State St.
  • Goodwill Industries of Santa Barbara — 4223 State Street (drop-off location only)
  • Goodwill Industries of Santa Barbara — 302 W. Carrillo St
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street
  • MarBorg Industries' Recycling /ABOP Center — 132 Nopalitos Way
  • Sears — 3845 State Street
  • Staples — 410 State Street
  • United Family Association Thrift Store — 5156 Hollister Avenue

• Goleta & UCSB Area (4)

  • *South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • Best Buy — 7090 Marketplace Drive
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 20 David Love Place
  • Staples — 7015 Marketplace Drive

• Santa Ynez Valley (2)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • Waste Management — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (9)

  • AL & S, Incorporated — 209 W. Central Ave, Suite A
  • City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — 1585 N. "V" St
  • City of Lompoc Landfill (Scalehouse) — Avalon Rd (south end)
  • Drive-In Recycling — 2126 North "H" Street
  • Goodwill Industries Lompoc — 1009 North "H" Street
  • LampRecycling.com — 2200 Oden Avenue, #100
  • Staples — 615 North "H" Street
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Balfour Beatty Communities Self-Help Store — 603 Juniper Street
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services — Building 11590, 1205 Utah Avenue

• Santa Maria Valley (9)

  • Best Buy — 2326 South Bradley Rd
  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 East Main Street
  • Extra Space Storage — 401 Farnel Road
  • Fortress Secure Mini-Storage — 1281 Furukawa Way
  • Goodwill Industries Orcutt — 3486 Orcutt Road
  • Goodwill Industries Retail Store — 1539 Stowell Center Plaza
  • Office Depot — 1427 South Bradley Road
  • Sears — 200 Town Center
  • Waste Management — 1850 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (2)

  • *New Cuyama Transfer Station — 5073 Highway 166
  • *Ventucopa Transfer Station — Highway 33

• Outside Santa Barbara County (20)

  • Apple
  • Best Buy
  • C.J. Seto Support Services, LLC — 2300 Knoll Dr, Unit G
  • Clean Harbors, Inc. — 880 W Verdulera St
  • Earth911.com - Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
  • Eco Lights Northwest Recycling Progam — 2200 6th Avenue South
  • Greendisk — 1988 18th Avenue, Suite B
  • Greenspot Dropoff, Inc. — 4712 West Magnolia Boulevard
  • Hewlett Packard
  • LG Electronics
  • LampRecycling.com — 2200 Ogden Avenue, #100
  • Panasonic
  • RecycleMatch — 3375 Westpark Drive, Suite 321
  • Recycled Goods.com — 3820 North Ventura Avenue
  • Samsung
  • Sharp
  • Sony Trade-In and Recycling Program
  • Toshiba
  • Waste Management Incorporated, Think Green from Home
  • e-Bay Rethink Initiative (e-bay and Earth 911)