Regulations · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
WEEE rules in 2026: what has changed for getting rid of old TVs
The rules that apply to every old TV
A television is waste electrical and electronic equipment, usually called WEEE. Under the WEEE Regulations 2013, it must be collected separately from general waste and treated at a facility approved to handle electricals. That is why a TV should never go in a household bin, a skip of mixed rubbish or a communal bin store.
- TVs must go to a WEEE recycling route, not general waste
- Householders have a duty of care to pass waste only to someone authorised to take it
- Businesses must use a registered waste carrier and keep waste transfer records
- Old CRT TVs contain leaded glass and are treated as hazardous waste
- Some older flat screens have mercury-containing backlights that need careful treatment
What retailers have to do now
Retailers that sell electrical goods, which the regulations call distributors, have take-back obligations. These are the rules that matter most when you buy a new TV.
| Retailer type | Main obligation | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Shops selling a new TV | Free like-for-like take-back in store, or membership of the Distributor Take-back Scheme | Ask at the point of sale, as many smaller shops fund recycling centres instead |
| Large stores with over 400 square metres of electrical sales space | Free take-back of very small electricals, under 25cm, with no purchase needed | Most TVs are too big for this rule |
| Online retailers | Must offer a take-back route when selling a new item, often through collection points or scheme membership | Check the retailer's WEEE page before ordering |
| Retailers offering delivery and collection | Collection of the old TV is often available but may be charged | Ask what the collection fee is when you order |
Like-for-like means a similar item doing the same job, so a new TV can be swapped for an old TV. You usually need to return the old one within a set period, often 28 days, so check the retailer's terms.
What changed recently
Two changes from the latest round of reforms have now been made. Online marketplaces became responsible as producers for electrical goods sold to UK households by overseas sellers through their platforms, closing a gap where those sellers paid nothing towards recycling. Vapes and e-cigarettes were also given their own WEEE category with separate reporting.
Neither change alters how a householder gets rid of a TV. Their aim is to make sure more of the people selling electricals pay towards collecting and recycling them, which funds the recycling centres and schemes you use.
They may affect what you see when shopping, though. Marketplaces and retailers have been adding clearer information about take-back and recycling to product pages, so it is worth looking for a WEEE or recycling link before you order a new TV online.
Reforms that are still proposals
The government consulted on wider reforms to the WEEE system. Several proposals that would directly affect households had not been brought into force at the time of writing in late 2026.
- Free collection of large electricals, potentially including TVs, from homes by retailers when delivering a replacement
- Producer-funded kerbside collections of small electricals by councils
- Stronger take-back duties for large retailers, possibly without needing to buy anything
- Changes to the Distributor Take-back Scheme for larger retailers
If these are introduced, getting rid of an old TV when buying a new one could become simpler and cheaper. Until then, check GOV.UK for the current position rather than relying on news reports, as timelines have moved more than once.
Fines and duty of care
The rules that most often catch householders out are the waste duty of care and fly-tipping laws. In England, councils can issue a fixed penalty of up to £600 to a householder who passes waste to an unauthorised collector, and up to £1,000 for small-scale fly-tipping. Prosecution can lead to larger fines. Councils regularly trace fly-tipped items back to the household they came from.
Checking a collector takes a couple of minutes. In England you can search the Environment Agency's public register of waste carriers by name or registration number. Natural Resources Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency keep equivalent registers. A legitimate collector will be happy to give you their number before the job, and should be able to tell you which recycling site or treatment facility the TV will go to.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own enforcement rules and penalty levels, but the principle is the same: check that anyone taking your TV is a registered waste carrier and ask where it is going.
Your options in 2026
| Option | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Household waste recycling centre | Free for residents | People with a suitable car |
| Retailer take-back | Free to about £30 | Buying a new TV |
| Council bulky waste collection | Around £15 to £60 | Heavy sets with ground floor access |
| Private registered collection | Around £25 to £70 | Wall-mounted TVs, upstairs rooms, quick removal |
These are typical guide prices and vary by area, size and access. Working TVs may also be suitable for reuse through charities or resale.
Frequently asked questions
Do shops have to take my old TV for free in 2026?
Only in certain cases. A retailer selling you a new TV must either take your old one back free on a like-for-like basis or belong to the Distributor Take-back Scheme, which funds local recycling centres instead. Many smaller shops use the scheme. Collection from your home is often available but is not always free, so ask before you buy.
Are retailers going to collect old TVs free on delivery?
This was proposed as part of the government's WEEE reforms, but at the time of writing in late 2026 it had not been brought into force. Some retailers already offer collection when delivering a new TV, sometimes for a fee. Check GOV.UK for the latest position, as the proposals may still change.
Do the WEEE rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. The WEEE Regulations 2013 apply across the UK, so TVs must be recycled separately everywhere. Waste duty of care rules also apply in all four nations, although the specific fixed penalty amounts and enforcement arrangements differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Your local council website explains the options in your area.
WEEE 2026 retailer take-back regulations
