What the County Takes Free, and What It Doesn’t
Harford County’s electronics program separates items into two groups, and the difference catches many people out:
| Item | At the Harford Waste Disposal Center |
|---|---|
| Desktop computer towers | Free |
| Laptops | Free |
| Printers, copiers and scanners | Free |
| VCRs | Free (see the county’s electronics page for the complete accepted list) |
| Televisions: CRT (tube, console, projection), plasma, LED and LCD | Not accepted for recycling. Can be disposed of at the Center and are subject to the regular flat fee ($8 car/SUV, $11 pickup or trailer) |
| Computer monitors, including CRT monitors | Not accepted for recycling. Same disposal fee as televisions |
The county also notes that a charge applies if you bring household trash in the same trip as your free recyclables. The Center is open Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., for county residents only, with a Maryland license showing a Harford County address; arrive before 2:45 p.m. and pay by cash or credit. Details are in our Scarboro Landfill fees and hours guide. Phone: 410-638-3638.
Heads-up: televisions and monitors are the exception to the county’s free electronics rule. The county’s own electronics page says they are not accepted for recycling and are subject to the disposal fee, so budget for that if you drop one off.
Other Options for a Working TV
If a flat-screen TV or monitor still works, consider donating it. The Aberdeen Habitat for Humanity ReStore says it accepts flat-screen TVs, speakers and monitors that are under 10 years old, work, and have an HDMI connection (donation hours Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; call (443) 567-7698 to confirm before you go). Our donation guide has the full list.
Why You Should Not Put TVs or Monitors in Regular Curbside Trash
- They contain materials that should be handled separately. CRT tubes in particular contain lead, and all electronics contain metals and plastics worth recovering.
- Haulers commonly reject them. Many trash haulers will not collect TVs and electronics with household trash, and an item left behind with a tag is an item you still have to deal with. Check your hauler’s rules.
- Town bulk programs have limits. See our bulk trash comparison for what each town takes by appointment.
When a Crew Makes Sense: Heavy TVs and Bulk Electronics
Old rear-projection TVs and CRT console sets can weigh well over 100 pounds and are awkward to carry. Offices and estates may have dozens of monitors, computers and printers. In those cases we remove the items from inside your home or office, including basements and upstairs rooms, and route electronics to responsible recycling rather than the landfill. Pricing follows truck space; see our Harford County junk removal pricing tiers, or call 443-655-5106.
Data Security Checklist Before Recycling Old Computers, Phones & Hard Drives
- Back up anything you want to keep before you do anything else.
- Sign out and deauthorize accounts, cloud services and licensed software, and turn off device-locking features such as Find My or Activation Lock.
- Erase the device. Use the built-in factory reset or secure-erase tool for phones, tablets and computers. For a computer, encrypting the drive before the reset adds a layer of protection.
- Handle old hard drives separately. If you cannot confirm a drive is wiped, remove it and have it securely erased or physically destroyed before you recycle the rest of the machine.
- Remove SIM and memory cards from phones, cameras and tablets.
- Remove stickers and paperwork with account numbers or passwords from the device and its box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harford County recycle TVs for free?
No. Harford County's electronics recycling program does not accept televisions or computer monitors for recycling. They can be disposed of at the Harford Waste Disposal Center but are subject to the regular flat fee, $8 for a car or SUV and $11 for a pickup truck or trailer.
What electronics can I recycle for free in Harford County?
The Harford Waste Disposal Center accepts desktop computer towers, laptops, printers, copiers and scanners at no charge for county residents. A fee applies if you bring household trash in the same trip. The Center is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where can I donate a working flat-screen TV in Harford County?
The Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna ReStore in Aberdeen accepts flat-screen TVs, speakers and monitors that are under 10 years old, work and have an HDMI connection. Call (443) 567-7698 to confirm before you drop one off.
Who can remove an old CRT or rear-projection TV in Harford County?
Harford Junk Removal – Wee Haul Junk removes heavy CRT and rear-projection televisions, computers, monitors and bulk office electronics from homes and offices throughout Harford County and recycles them responsibly. Call 443-655-5106 for a free estimate.