Disposing of an old tube tv
August 2, 2020 6:06 PM Subscribe
After 19 years, I’ve decided to replace my old tube television. I’ve picked out a new tv but the challenge is to get rid of the old one. Despite being only 32”, it weighs 210+ pounds which makes it too heavy and awkward for me to move solo and mrs. mmascolino doesn’t feel safe in helping. I probably could rope some people to help me but at the same time I don’t know where I would take it.
I’ve heard that some old vintage console gamers still use tube televisions. Despite this being an excellent set for the era no one really wants this right? Just the mere logistics of moving it seems not to bode well.
What’s the best way to get rid of this tv while minimizing hassles and/or cash outlays?
I’ve heard that some old vintage console gamers still use tube televisions. Despite this being an excellent set for the era no one really wants this right? Just the mere logistics of moving it seems not to bode well.
What’s the best way to get rid of this tv while minimizing hassles and/or cash outlays?
Yes check with your city or county for e-waste disposal. My county allows drop off, for a small fee, of old electronics. Perhaps you could post on Nextdoor or ask neighbors for help moving it?
posted by ChristineSings at 6:15 PM on August 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by ChristineSings at 6:15 PM on August 2, 2020 [3 favorites]
I’ve heard that some old vintage console gamers still use tube televisions. Despite this being an excellent set for the era no one really wants this right?
If it's a 19 year-old 32" CRT, I'd at least give Craigslist a shot before giving up and disposing it, especially if it has composite inputs. I wouldn't bother with shipping but someone local might be willing to pick it up.
posted by Aleyn at 6:25 PM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
If it's a 19 year-old 32" CRT, I'd at least give Craigslist a shot before giving up and disposing it, especially if it has composite inputs. I wouldn't bother with shipping but someone local might be willing to pick it up.
posted by Aleyn at 6:25 PM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: if it has composite inputs
It's got multiple composite, component and s/video inputs.
posted by mmascolino at 6:29 PM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
It's got multiple composite, component and s/video inputs.
posted by mmascolino at 6:29 PM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Yes, vintage gamers do love their Tube TVs. At that size and weight, I wouldn't promise that you get any takers, but I'd sure as heck try.
posted by wotsac at 6:30 PM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by wotsac at 6:30 PM on August 2, 2020 [5 favorites]
I second the Craigslist suggestion. You can also try posting here on Facebook. I bet that between the two someone will be interested.
posted by Tiny Bungalow at 6:51 PM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Tiny Bungalow at 6:51 PM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
Gamers would kill for that screen. They'd fight over it in this city, and likely offer you money
posted by scruss at 7:02 PM on August 2, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by scruss at 7:02 PM on August 2, 2020 [4 favorites]
In my city, we get one large item pick-up for free every month on trash day (if you schedule it online in advance). I'd recommend looking into what your city offers. But, yes, as previous posters said, see if someone will take it (or even pay you for it!).
posted by ClaireBear at 9:38 PM on August 2, 2020
posted by ClaireBear at 9:38 PM on August 2, 2020
You can rent dollies from U-haul for day, just make sure to secure the tv to the dolly. Years ago it was only like $7 for 24 hours, but prices have probably gone up.
posted by soelo at 9:41 PM on August 2, 2020
posted by soelo at 9:41 PM on August 2, 2020
Craigslist/eBay it if you can afford to wait for takers, give it to a second hand store if you're in a hurry.
Please don't bin it if it's still in good working condition.
posted by Bangaioh at 12:47 AM on August 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Please don't bin it if it's still in good working condition.
posted by Bangaioh at 12:47 AM on August 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Note: speaking from experience as a fellow Ohio resident, many second hand shops and charities and even some recyclers simply will not take tube TV's & monitors. (The company I work for moved into a building where we "inherited" several old tube pieces, getting rid of them was kind of a hassle.)
Hamilton County Recycles has a list of places who might be willing to take it - definitely check if they'd even accept it first, and note that while there's a public collection event scheduled for October, if you look at the flyer for the event you'll see they're not accepting tube TV's. IME, virtually all of these places will be expecting you to drop it off yourself, they don't really run pickup services.
Cincinnati bulk item collection says that households can schedule free curbside trash pickups of bulk items, and the recycling page for my own county, Cuyahoga, says it is legal to dispose of TV's this way in Ohio.
TBH, my experience in trying to get rid of those old TV's suggests that the idea that gamers will enthusiastically snatch up old tubes is probably highly location dependent. I prowled my local Craigslist and eBay for a while - on Craigslist almost all the old tube TV's just sat there being relisted week after week after week, and on eBay they were selling for like $25, which was nowhere near the cost in time, effort, and actual cash of boxing & shipping them out. Not saying don't try it - or maybe also via your local Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle group- but it's very much a YMMV situation, and of course getting rid of things by these routes requires a certain tolerance for randos.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:34 AM on August 3, 2020 [4 favorites]
Hamilton County Recycles has a list of places who might be willing to take it - definitely check if they'd even accept it first, and note that while there's a public collection event scheduled for October, if you look at the flyer for the event you'll see they're not accepting tube TV's. IME, virtually all of these places will be expecting you to drop it off yourself, they don't really run pickup services.
Cincinnati bulk item collection says that households can schedule free curbside trash pickups of bulk items, and the recycling page for my own county, Cuyahoga, says it is legal to dispose of TV's this way in Ohio.
TBH, my experience in trying to get rid of those old TV's suggests that the idea that gamers will enthusiastically snatch up old tubes is probably highly location dependent. I prowled my local Craigslist and eBay for a while - on Craigslist almost all the old tube TV's just sat there being relisted week after week after week, and on eBay they were selling for like $25, which was nowhere near the cost in time, effort, and actual cash of boxing & shipping them out. Not saying don't try it - or maybe also via your local Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle group- but it's very much a YMMV situation, and of course getting rid of things by these routes requires a certain tolerance for randos.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:34 AM on August 3, 2020 [4 favorites]
You can buy furniture dollies from Harbor Freight for well under $20. You have to get it up about four inches to get it onto the dolly, and for something that heavy I would shepherd it with a couple of people because it may make a bid for freedom, but you don't have to lift it all the way to wherever it's going.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 1:32 AM on August 4, 2020
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 1:32 AM on August 4, 2020
Break it into tiny manageable pieces and throw it out little by little.
Please don’t do this. Tube TVs can hold a charge even after being unplugged. They are also vacuums, so they implode, releasing mercury or other elements into the air.
posted by Monday at 2:22 AM on August 4, 2020
Please don’t do this. Tube TVs can hold a charge even after being unplugged. They are also vacuums, so they implode, releasing mercury or other elements into the air.
posted by Monday at 2:22 AM on August 4, 2020
Mod note: One deleted. Please stick to safe and legal options, thanks.
posted by taz (staff) at 3:56 AM on August 4, 2020
posted by taz (staff) at 3:56 AM on August 4, 2020
Response by poster: No one from the Facebook group took a bite...but surprisingly the first Craigslist responder was non-flaky and got it the next day...no drama.
posted by mmascolino at 12:53 PM on August 9, 2020
posted by mmascolino at 12:53 PM on August 9, 2020
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Re: getting it there, I have good luck putting heavy things on large, flat pieces of cardboard and dragging them through the house, though that does not help with stairs.
There are also sometimes electronics recycling events, but a) you have to bring it in, b) I haven't seen one since COVID, and c) it still costs $25 or $30.
posted by gideonfrog at 6:11 PM on August 2, 2020 [1 favorite]