Old monitors and screens are among the trickiest items in the e-waste stream. They are bulky, fragile, and depending on the type, can contain hazardous materials that require careful handling. Whether you are dealing with a vintage CRT monitor from a back cupboard or a stack of outdated LCD screens from an office refresh, proper recycling matters more than you might expect.
Types of Monitors and Why They Matter
Not all monitors are created equal when it comes to recycling, and the type of display technology determines what hazards are present and how the unit needs to be processed.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors are the old, heavy, box-shaped screens that were standard until the mid-2000s. These contain up to 2 kilograms of lead in the glass funnel and neck, along with phosphor coatings on the screen face that may contain cadmium and other toxic compounds. CRTs also operate under vacuum, which means the glass can implode if cracked or broken improperly. They are classified as hazardous waste and absolutely cannot go in general waste.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors replaced CRTs and remain the most common type being recycled today. Older LCDs use CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlights that contain small amounts of mercury. Newer LCDs use LED backlighting, which is mercury-free. Both types contain liquid crystal fluid between the glass panels, which needs proper handling during dismantling.
LED monitors are essentially LCD panels with LED backlighting. They contain fewer hazardous materials than CCFL-backlit LCDs but still need professional recycling due to the circuit boards, plastics, and metals involved.
OLED and newer display technologies are becoming more common in high-end monitors. These contain organic compounds and sometimes indium tin oxide. While generally less hazardous than CRTs, they still should not go to landfill.
Victoria’s E-Waste Ban and Monitors
Since 1 July 2019, all e-waste including monitors and screens has been banned from landfill in Victoria. This applies to every type of display, from ancient CRTs to the latest flat panels. Disposing of a monitor in your general waste bin is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Other states are following Victoria’s lead. Check your local regulations, but regardless of where you are in Australia, landfilling monitors is environmentally irresponsible and should be avoided.
For a complete overview of regulations across the country, see our guide to e-waste laws in Australia.
How to Prepare Monitors for Recycling
Preparing a monitor for recycling is simpler than preparing a computer, since monitors do not store personal data. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Keep the monitor intact. Do not break or dismantle the screen yourself. This is especially important for CRTs (risk of implosion and lead exposure) and CCFL-backlit LCDs (risk of mercury exposure). Professional recyclers have the equipment and training to dismantle screens safely.
Detach cables and stands if they are removable. Power cables and video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI) can be recycled separately or bundled with the monitor. Adjustable stands are often reusable.
Do not wrap CRT monitors in plastic bags for transport. If you need to protect them during transport, use the original box if available, or wrap them in old blankets or towels. The key is preventing the glass from cracking during transit.
Where to Recycle Monitors
Council E-Waste Drop-Off
Most Victorian councils accept monitors at their transfer stations and recycling centres free of charge for residents. Some councils have quantity limits, particularly for CRT monitors, which are expensive to process. Call ahead if you have more than a few units to drop off.
Professional E-Waste Recyclers
For businesses disposing of multiple monitors, or anyone with CRT monitors, a professional recycler is often the best option. These companies have the infrastructure to handle large volumes and the downstream partnerships to ensure materials are processed properly. Many offer collection services that will pick up equipment from your premises.
Retailer Take-Back
Some electronics retailers accept old monitors when you purchase a new one. This is typically offered as a convenience service rather than a dedicated recycling program, so the scope varies by retailer and location.
What Happens During Monitor Recycling?
The recycling process varies significantly depending on the monitor type.
CRT recycling is a multi-step process. The monitor is first carefully separated from its plastic housing. The electron gun assembly at the back of the tube is removed. The leaded glass funnel is separated from the barium-coated face plate glass. The leaded glass can be recycled into new CRT glass (though demand is declining) or processed for lead recovery. The face plate glass is recycled separately. Copper from the deflection yoke and other components is recovered.
LCD/LED recycling involves removing the plastic housing, separating the backlight assembly (and safely containing any mercury lamps), extracting the liquid crystal layer between the glass panels, and recovering metals from the circuit boards. The glass panels, plastics, and metals are all sorted for appropriate recycling streams.
For a broader look at what happens in a recycling facility, see our article on the full journey of recycled electronics.
The CRT Problem
CRT monitors deserve special mention because they present one of the most challenging recycling problems in the e-waste industry. The leaded glass that makes up the bulk of a CRT has limited recycling markets, and the cost of processing CRTs often exceeds the value of recovered materials.
This has led to stockpiling of CRT glass in some regions, where recyclers accept the monitors but struggle to find downstream processors for the leaded glass. When choosing a recycler for CRT monitors, ask specifically about their CRT processing and where the leaded glass ends up. A reputable recycler will be transparent about their downstream partners.
Business Monitor Disposal
Businesses replacing monitor fleets should treat the disposal as part of their broader IT asset management strategy. While monitors do not contain data (unless they are all-in-one units with integrated computers), they still need to be tracked, documented, and disposed of through proper channels.
Keep records of monitor serial numbers and disposal dates. If your organisation has environmental reporting obligations or sustainability targets, tracking monitor recycling contributes to your diversion-from-landfill metrics and can be included in ESG reporting.
Learn more about integrating e-waste disposal into your sustainability reporting in our guide to measuring the environmental impact of IT disposal.
EWV helps Victorian businesses manage e-waste and IT asset disposal compliantly and sustainably — including collection, certified data destruction, and recycling. Contact us for a free quote.