Getting rid of a broken TV usually means paying a disposal fee. However, one man in Oregon found a way to save some money after his 65-inch television broke, and while it may not be the most common method, it made a splash when he shared his story online.
In a TikTok video shared by @bigfatchuck, the man revealed that his TV had broken. Since he bought a new TV and had the box that the television came in, he came up with an idea to get rid of the broken TV and not have to pay the extra cost of having it hauled off in the trash.
“So our TV broke and it costs money to throw stuff away,” he explained in the video as he showed the TV back in the box and at the end of his driveway. The box leaned against his mailbox and had a note taped on the front claiming that it was an Amazon return.
He Didn’t Want To Pay For The Trash To Haul It Away
The plan was to see if someone would see the television, think that it was actually an Amazon return waiting to be picked up, and steal the TV. Sadly, that is exactly what happened. The TikToker revealed in the comment section of the video that by 1:25 a.m. that night, the TV had been “rehomed,” meaning that someone had stolen it. That someone was also likely angry when they realized that the television no longer worked.
In a second video, the Oregon man says that the best way to “get rid of the trash you don’t want to pay for” is to “leave it out for the thieves.” Of course, the comment section had a lot of opinions, mostly about how comical it was that someone went to the trouble to steal the TV only to get a broken item. Others joked that it would be funny if the thief brought the TV back.
What should you do with a broken TV?
While it may be quick and easy to dump an old broken television, there is another way to get rid of it. Some places, such as Best Buy, will take old TVs to recycle. There are some restrictions to this, but electronics that are no longer in use can be disposed of in a more environmentally friendly fashion.
“Best Buy also offers a Standalone Haul-Away service for larger items, mail-in recycling options, and an in-store trade-in program for devices with resale value. By choosing Best Buy’s recycling program, you’re not only clearing out clutter—you’re contributing to a greener future,” their website reads.
According to Happy Can Dumpsters, television sets should never be disposed of like common trash. There are multiple reasons for this. Parts inside and outside the TV can leak heavy metals into the ground. Pieces of the television could shatter and cut workers, and many garbage collectors may leave the set and fine the culprit for illegal dumping.
As for the mystery thief now stuck with a broken 65-inch TV, hopefully they saved the box.
