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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of a TV or electronics in Columbia, verified October 2026.
Checked against Columbia Public Works
803-545-3800
Solid Waste Division, to arrange a bulky item pickup on your regular schedule
3 streams
garbage in the cart, yard trimmings and bulk items in separate piles
Free e-waste
anything that plugs in, at Public Works, 2910 Colonial Dr, weekdays 8 to 5
Every route for a TV or electronics in Columbia, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Columbia guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Columbia, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Columbia bulk item collection: TVs and electronics
Not collectedSouth Carolina law bans TVs, computers, monitors, and printers from any landfill stream, and Columbia does not collect them curbside. Public Works on Colonial Drive takes anything that plugs in, free, on weekdays.
Why: Electronics (South Carolina law bans TVs, computers, monitors, and printers from any landfill stream; Public Works takes them free on weekdays), construction and building materials, tires, and hazardous waste.
City of Columbia Public Works electronics drop-off: TVs and electronics
FreeAnything that plugs in.
Where: 2910 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC 29203
How it works: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Computers, monitors, TVs, players, phones, cameras, stereo equipment, and anything that plugs in, free for residents. Avoid early morning and after 3:30 p.m. when truck traffic is heavy.
Donation pickup in Columbia (usable TVs and electronics)
FreeColumbia’s donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program-specific rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call before scheduling if you’re unsure, pickups that find unacceptable items will leave them behind.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Columbia: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering TVs and electronics, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Columbia: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Columbia, SC runs a structured three-stream waste system: FREE bulky item pickup by appointment via Columbia Solid Waste Division at (803) 545-3800. The City’s Solid Waste Division separates collection into three categories: yard trimmings, bulky items, and building materials. Bulky items (furniture, appliances, clothing, rigid plastics) require a phone appointment to schedule. Strict 40-pound limit per item. Branches must be under 6 feet long and under 4 inches in diameter. Building materials (bricks, concrete, etc.) may be subject to fees. Service is provided by the City of Columbia Public Works Solid Waste Division. The City uses a hybrid fleet (automated and semi-automated trucks), carts must be 3 ft from trees, mailboxes, vehicles, and other carts for efficient automated collection. Cart removal by 7:30 PM is a city ordinance with fines for violations. Free electronics and fluorescent bulb drop-off at 2910 Colonial Drive Public Works facility (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:30 AM-3:30 PM). The City of Columbia composting operation processes nearly 25% of total trash tonnage, one of the most successful per-capita composting programs in the South. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Columbia rule for TVs and electronics: South Carolina law bans TVs, computers, monitors, and printers from any landfill stream, and Columbia does not collect them curbside. Public Works on Colonial Drive takes anything that plugs in, free, on weekdays.
What the city will not take: Electronics (South Carolina law bans TVs, computers, monitors, and printers from any landfill stream; Public Works takes them free on weekdays), construction and building materials, tires, and hazardous waste.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Columbia Public Works: Garbage Collection (bulk items collected separately), City of Columbia Public Works: Drop Off Locations (electronics). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Hazardous and regulated components in Columbia. Columbia residents have free hazardous waste disposal through periodic Richland County HHW collection events held at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Free for Richland County residents. Accepts paint, motor oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks, electronics, scrap metal, tires. Check current event dates with Richland County at (803) 929-6000. Plus year-round free electronics and fluorescent bulb drop-off at the Public Works facility at 2910 Colonial Drive (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:30 AM-3:30 PM, closed Wednesday). The Lower Richland Drop-Off Site at 10531 Garners Ferry Road, Eastover (Mon-Sun 12:30 PM-5:30 PM) accepts additional materials. Several retailers also offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, most pharmacies for unused medications.
Why TVs and electronics are different from ordinary bulk. Electronics fall into a unique disposal category: they’re NOT eligible for regular trash in 25+ states (NY, CA, IL, NJ, MA, OR, WA, MN, MI, CT, MD, NC, VA, OK, and others have e-waste laws), but free recycling is widely available through multiple channels.
Three mistakes that get TVs and electronics left at the curb:
When free options don’t fit (large CRT TVs, multiple items at once, can’t self-haul):
LoadUp paid TV or electronics pickup
$80+For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the 40-lb per-item weight limit, have construction debris (subject to City fees), can’t wait for the next Solid Waste appointment, or want full-service hauling without managing weight restrictions, LoadUp offers professional removal in Columbia with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal. LoadUp’s headquarters is in Atlanta, Columbia is part of our regional service area.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your TV or electronics. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book TV or electronics pickup in Columbia with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Columbia proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Columbia junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national tv and electronics disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Columbia: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, dresser, bed frame and box spring, dishwasher.
Does Columbia pick up TVs and electronics for free?
No. Free at Public Works, 2910 Colonial Dr, weekdays 8 to 5.
Where can I donate a TV or electronics in Columbia?
Columbia’s donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program-specific rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
How much does paid TV and electronics removal cost in Columbia?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single TV or electronics pickup in Columbia starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the 40-lb per-item weight limit, have construction debris (subject to City fees), can’t wait for the next Solid Waste appointment, or want full-service hauling without managing weight restrictions, LoadUp offers professional removal in Columbia with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal. LoadUp’s headquarters is in Atlanta, Columbia is part of our regional service area.
What’s the simplest way to recycle electronics?
Best Buy in-store recycling. 1,000+ U.S. locations, accepts most electronics free at the customer service desk (limit 3 items per household per day). Computers, laptops, monitors under 32 inches, printers, small electronics, batteries, ink cartridges, and cables are free. CRT TVs and TVs over 32 inches: $30 fee each. No appointment needed.
Can I throw a TV in regular trash?
In most U.S. states, no. 25+ states (NY, CA, IL, NJ, MA, OR, WA, MN, MI, CT, MD, NC, VA, OK, and others) have e-waste laws that ban TVs from regular trash. Even in states without e-waste laws, most cities ban TVs from regular bulk pickup. Free TV recycling is available through Best Buy ($30 for CRT or over 32 in), state e-waste programs, and city drop-off sites.
How do I wipe my hard drive before recycling a computer?
Three options: (1) Software wipe, download free DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke) or use built-in OS tools (Windows: Reset PC with “remove everything” + clean drive; Mac: Erase Assistant in System Settings). (2) Physical destruction, remove the hard drive and physically destroy it (drill holes, hammer). (3) Best Buy free data destruction service, included with electronics drop-off. Option 3 is easiest if you’re using Best Buy for disposal anyway.
Why are CRT TVs more expensive to recycle?
CRT (cathode ray tube) TVs contain 4 to 8 lbs of leaded glass per tube, plus phosphors and other heavy metals. Modern flat-screen TVs are dramatically less hazardous and cheaper to recycle. CRT recyclers must handle the leaded glass through specialized facilities, which costs $20 to $50 per TV. Retailer recycling fees ($30 at Best Buy) and city drop-off fees ($10 to $30) cover this cost. State e-waste programs (NY, CA, IL, others) absorb the cost through manufacturer fees on new electronics.
Is this Columbia page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Columbia guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.