Seasonal · 3 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
New TV for Black Friday or Christmas? What to do with the old one
Why timing matters in November and December
November and December are peak months for TV sales in the UK. Big screen deals, Christmas gifts and new year upgrades mean a lot of old TVs need to go at the same time. Recycling centres often have shorter winter opening hours and close on some bank holidays, and many are especially busy in the days after Christmas.
Planning the old TV's exit at the same time as buying the new one avoids an old set sitting in the hallway for weeks, where it can get knocked and cracked.
Before you order: a checklist
- Ask whether the retailer offers like-for-like take-back in store
- Ask if delivery can include collection of the old TV, and what it costs
- Check the retailer's time limit for returning the old TV, often 28 days
- Measure the new TV and the space, including the stand footprint
- Check whether your wall bracket fits the new TV's mounting pattern
- Decide whether the old TV is being reused, sold, gifted or recycled
If the retailer uses the Distributor Take-back Scheme instead of in-store take-back, it will point you to your local recycling centre. That is legal, but it means you need to transport the old TV yourself.
Can the old TV have a second life?
A working TV that is only a few years old is often useful to someone else. Moving it to a bedroom, kitchen or games room, giving it to family, or selling it locally keeps it in use for longer, which is better than recycling.
| Old TV condition | Best option |
|---|---|
| Working, recent smart TV | Sell, gift or move to another room |
| Working but older non-smart TV | Pair with a streaming stick, gift or donate |
| Working CRT tube TV | Some retro gaming fans want them, otherwise recycle |
| Faulty but complete | Spares and repairs listing or recycle |
| Cracked screen | Recycle |
Charities and furniture reuse projects sometimes accept working TVs, but many have strict conditions, such as age limits and needing the remote, so check before taking it in.
Prepare the old TV before it goes
- Sign out of Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Amazon and other apps
- Remove the TV from your account in any manufacturer app
- Do a factory reset from the settings menu
- Take out the remote batteries
- Keep the remote with the TV if it is being reused
- Unscrew the bracket plate from the back if it is not staying on the wall
Signing out matters because smart TVs often stay logged in to paid accounts. A factory reset alone may not remove the device from your account, so also check the device list in your streaming accounts.
Recycling options over the festive period
| Option | Holiday season notes | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling centre | Check winter hours and Christmas closures, expect queues | Free for residents |
| Retailer take-back | Ask at purchase, may have a time limit | Free to about £30 |
| Council bulky waste | Slots can be booked up weeks ahead in December | Around £15 to £60 |
| Private registered collection | Book early for dates around Christmas | Around £25 to £70 for the first TV |
Wall-mounted upgrades
If the old TV is on the wall, the new one may not fit the existing bracket. TVs use a standard mounting pattern, often called VESA, measured in millimetres between the screw holes on the back. Check the new TV's pattern and weight against the bracket's specification. Large new TVs may need a stronger bracket and secure fixings into the wall structure.
Taking a heavy TV off the wall is a two-person job. Many people arrange removal of the old TV and its bracket at the same time as the new one is fitted, which avoids handling a large screen alone. Fixing a new bracket into plasterboard needs the right fixings or a stud, so check the wall type before the big day.
Do not leave it outside
Leaving an old TV on the pavement with a free sign, in a communal bin store or by the recycling bins is not a legal way to dispose of it. Councils can treat it as fly-tipping, and in England fixed penalties for small-scale fly-tipping can be up to £1,000. If someone offers to take it away, check they are a registered waste carrier.
Frequently asked questions
Will the shop collect my old TV when it delivers the new one?
Some retailers offer collection of the old TV on delivery, sometimes free and sometimes for a fee. It is not yet a universal legal requirement. Ask before you order, because it usually has to be booked with the delivery. If the retailer does not collect, ask how its take-back works, as it may direct you to a local recycling centre.
Can I keep the old TV and recycle it later?
Yes, but most retailer take-back offers have a time limit, often around 28 days from purchase, so check the terms if you want to use it. After that, you can still take it to a household waste recycling centre or book a collection. Store it upright and somewhere dry to avoid damaging the screen.
Is my old TV worth selling?
Recent smart TVs in good working order can sell locally, especially larger screens. Older and smaller TVs often sell for very little, and non-smart sets can be hard to sell at all. If it works, offering it free to a neighbour, family member or community group keeps it in use. If it is faulty or cracked, recycle it.
Black Friday Christmas upgrading checklist
