Why monitor disposal is more complex than it looks
A monitor appears straightforward: a screen, a cable, a plastic casing. But depending on the technology and the age of the unit, a monitor may contain materials that require specialist handling and cannot enter standard recycling streams.
Understanding the distinctions between monitor types helps IT managers and facilities teams make compliant disposal decisions — and choose a provider equipped to handle what they actually have.
What types of monitors require special handling?
CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors
CRT monitors are now rare in office environments but occasionally surface during estate clearances or storage audits. They require particular care. The glass cone of a CRT contains significant quantities of lead oxide — in some units 2 kg or more. This lead must be separated and processed by a licensed facility under hazardous waste regulations.
If CRT monitors are in your estate, flag them explicitly when contacting an ITAD provider. Not all facilities are equipped to handle them, and they cannot be mixed with general WEEE streams.
LCD monitors with CCFL backlights
LCD flat-panel monitors manufactured before approximately 2010 commonly used cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) for backlighting. These lamps contain mercury — a hazardous substance that requires specialist extraction during recycling. Later LCD monitors and all current LED-backlit displays do not use CCFL and do not contain mercury in their backlights.
If you are disposing of monitors purchased before 2010, assume CCFL backlighting unless you have documentation to the contrary. Again, flag these separately.
Modern LED-backlit LCD and OLED monitors
Current office monitors — LED-backlit LCD panels and OLED displays — do not contain mercury backlights or leaded glass. However, they still contain electronic components, circuit boards with trace precious metals, and plastic casings that require WEEE-compliant processing. They cannot be sent to general waste.
What happens to a monitor during recycling?
A monitor sent to an authorised treatment facility is processed as follows:
- Visual assessment — condition is checked. Monitors in good working order may be suitable for reuse or donation before disassembly begins.
- Hazardous component removal — CCFL backlights are extracted by hand before any mechanical processing. CRT glass is separated. These materials go to specialist downstream processors.
- Disassembly — casing plastics are separated from metal components. Circuit boards containing trace precious metals are sorted for smelting.
- Materials recovery — steel, aluminium, copper, and plastics are directed to appropriate recovery streams. Precious metals on circuit boards are recovered by licensed smelters.
Do monitors hold any data that needs to be destroyed?
Standard monitors — those connected via DisplayPort, HDMI, or DVI without embedded computing — do not store personal data and do not require data destruction processing.
However, some all-in-one computers present as monitors but contain integrated storage. If you are disposing of all-in-one units (where the computer is built into the screen housing), treat these as computers, not monitors. They require certified data destruction before disposal.
Smart displays and video conferencing screens may also hold configuration data, network credentials, or cached content. Check with your ITAD provider whether any screen in your disposal batch has integrated storage before collection.
How should monitors be prepared for collection?
- Remove all cables and bag them separately (cables are typically collected alongside monitors but should be identifiable)
- Flag any CRT units or pre-2010 LCD monitors separately — these require specific handling
- Label all-in-one units clearly so they are not processed as standard monitors
- Record serial numbers or asset tags where your internal systems require it
You do not need to disassemble or dismantle anything. Collection teams handle monitors in any condition, including cracked screens and non-functioning units.
Is monitor disposal covered by WEEE regulations?
Yes. Monitors and screens are explicitly covered by the WEEE Regulations 2013. Your business has a legal obligation to dispose of them through an authorised treatment facility. Sending monitors to general waste, or leaving them on the pavement for collection, is not compliant.
The WEEE Regulations also require producers to fund the collection and recycling of equipment — meaning that certified disposal through a registered ITAD provider is the correct route for business disposal.
Our monitor recycling service for London businesses covers all screen types. We provide WEEE transfer documentation and handle hazardous component streams. For context on how monitor disposal fits into a wider IT refresh, see our IT refresh cycle guide.