Electronics recycling in Calgary is free for residents. City Eco Centres accept electronics at no charge, as long as they are not mixed with other garbage. So why would anyone pay for e-waste removal? Usually because of a heavy old tube TV, a basement full of dead devices, an office clear-out, or no vehicle. This page covers both routes.
Free electronics recycling at City Eco Centres
The City of Calgary accepts residential electronics at its Landfill and Eco Centres:
- East Calgary Landfill and Eco Centre (southeast)
- Shepard Landfill and Eco Centre (southeast, closed Sundays)
- Spyhill Landfill and Eco Centre (northwest, closed Sundays)
The rule that matters: electronics are free when brought on their own. If your load also contains garbage, charges apply. Keep electronics in a separate trip, or ask the attendant how to handle a mixed load.
The City also lists other electronics recycling depots around Calgary. Some are part of the provincial electronics recycling program and some are not, and each accepts different items, so check with the depot before you go.
What counts as e-waste
- TVs of all sizes, including old CRT (tube) and rear-projection sets
- Computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards and mice
- Printers, scanners and fax machines
- Phones, tablets, e-readers and chargers
- Audio and video equipment, game consoles, cables and remotes
- Small appliances with a cord, depending on the depot
Large appliances such as fridges and washers are not e-waste; see appliance removal. Batteries need special handling and should never go in the garbage.
What to do with old TVs
Old TVs cannot go in your black cart. Take them to a City Eco Centre (free on their own) or an electronics recycling depot. Old CRT televisions are the problem item: a 32-inch tube TV can weigh well over 50 kg and contains leaded glass, so it should be carried carefully and never smashed. Large rear-projection TVs are bulky as well as heavy. These are the situations where junk TV removal earns its fee.
Junk TV removal and e-waste pickup: cost
A single TV collected on its own usually costs the hauler’s minimum. Published Calgary minimums we reviewed in October 2026 run about $75–$110. Several TVs or a room of electronics may be priced as a quarter load (about $149–$199). Because recycling electronics is free for residents, the price mainly covers labour and transport. Adding electronics to a bigger job such as a basement cleanout is the cheapest way to have them collected. These are market ranges; your hauler confirms your price.
Protect your data before recycling
- Back up anything you want to keep.
- Sign out of accounts (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft) and remove device locks.
- Factory-reset phones, tablets and computers.
- For computers with sensitive data, remove the hard drive or SSD and keep it, or have it securely wiped or destroyed.
- Remove SIM and memory cards.
Recyclers and haulers are not responsible for data left on your devices.
Businesses and offices
Office clear-outs often mean dozens of monitors, PCs and printers. Ask the hauler whether it uses a certified e-waste recycler and can provide documentation of disposal, which some businesses need for their records. See commercial junk removal.
Electronics recycling across Calgary and area
Requests are accepted from Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere. Towns outside Calgary run their own recycling depots and rules, so residents there should check their municipality’s website for free drop-off options. Not sure what else can go? See what we take.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do with an old TV in Calgary?
Take it to a City Eco Centre or an electronics recycling depot. City Eco Centres accept TVs of all sizes free of charge when brought alone; charges apply if they are mixed with other garbage. Do not put TVs in your black cart.
Is electronics recycling free in Calgary?
Yes, for residents at City Eco Centres when the load contains only electronics. Other depots may accept different items and set their own rules, so check before you go.
How much does junk TV removal cost?
A TV collected on its own usually costs the hauler’s minimum (about $75–$110 on Calgary price lists we reviewed). It is cheaper per item when added to a larger load.
Should I wipe my devices before recycling?
Yes. Back up and factory-reset phones, tablets and computers, and remove or destroy hard drives if they held sensitive data. Recyclers are not responsible for your data.