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Thousands of televisions, computers, cellphones and other electronic gadgets will be relegated to obsolete status during the holiday season as gift-giving brings new technology to homes across the country. Some of those "old" electronics will find a second life through donations or recycling programs, but most will sit in basements or drawers before being sent to landfill or exported overseas. "It's a growing problem," said Shirley Thompson, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba Natural Resources Institute. "These items contain toxic metals and other chemicals and often they are ending up in landfills."

How Green?: Nine Green Gift Ideas for Christmas, Some environmentally-friendly stocking stuffers for last-minute shoppers.

Everything has its season, and recycling interest is no different. Maybe it's because everyone is trying to make room in their houses after the holiday gifts pour in. Or maybe it's some sort of New Year's resolution. Or just because everyone is issuing press releases tied to the Consumer Electronics Show in that famous town of excess, Las Vegas.

The typical American home contains 24 consumer electronic products, the latest statistics show: Televisions, computers, cell phones, digital cameras, game consoles, plus all their beeping cousins. Holiday gift-giving doesn't just widen the stream of gadgets and gizmos. It makes orphans of the old stuff. Got a great deal on an LCD television for Christmas? Upgraded to a faster PC? Unwrapped a Blu-ray to replace that standard DVD player? Each item likely displaces another, leaving behind a heap of electro-rubble. Last year, Americans shoved aside an estimated 27 million outdated or unwanted televisions, and 205 million computers and chunks of related hardware (printers, mice, etc.), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. We crammed most of this e-waste inside a million basements, or stuffed it in the trash.

It's in with the new and out with the old. For many, the holidays brought new possessions. But now it's time to figure out what to do with what you replaced. Several local options for getting rid of old clothing, furniture and household goods exist. A new state law will also provide places to drop off old electronics anytime of the year. The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept used clothing, furniture and household items. However, items must be only slightly used. "If you would give it to a friend, then you can give it to us," said Matthew Erlich, spokesman for Goodwill Tacoma, which operates in 15 Washington counties. Clothing items may also be donated to the Multi-Service Center's clothing bank in Federal Way. Donations go to local residents. Payment for the items will not be issued, but the gift is tax deductible.

While electronics waste or e-waste recycling partnerships are providing significant environmental benefits by keeping waste out of landfills, they are also giving manufacturers and retailers an environmental marketing edge by providing their customers with a needed service, together with financial incentives, whether its through gift cards or charitable donations. Here are a few of the most recent partnerships aimed at providing responsible recycling programs for consumers and businesses. Environmental Leader, 7/23/09.

Even though holiday sales were down at least 2% from 2007, millions of Americans awoke Christmas morning to new computers, TVs and iPhones. (I didn't, but thanks for the pens, Mom.) Many of those gifts were replacements or upgrades, which prompts the question, What should you do with your old cell phone and other electronic equipment?

How--and why--we should make sure our old cell phones, TVs and PCs get dismantled properly; Time magazine article by Bryan Walsh, 1/8/09. Includes a good series of photos of China's "e-waste village."