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"It seems like every time you turn around a new and better smartphone or HDTV set goes on sale. That's great for consumers who are eager to upgrade to the latest gadgets but it's maybe not so good for the environment. The bad news is 60% of Americans are not recycling their old gadgets. The good news is that resellers and manufacturers are rising to the occasion and implementing their own recycling services. In this Gadget Census report we look at how consumers across the country are being green with gadgets and what is being done to help manage the growing number of devices that are turning into e-waste every day. "

National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the nation's largest organized environmental education event. Held each April, EE Week promotes understanding and protection of the natural world by actively engaging K-12th grade students and educators of all subjects in an inspired week of environmental learning and service before Earth Day. Join the thousands of schools, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums nationwide who have made a commitment to engage students in environmental learning through participation in EE Week! This year's EE Week theme is Be Water Wise! Registered partners will have access to a wide variety of FREE environmental education resources, including:

OLYMPIA - If you're wondering what to do with those unwanted TVs, computers and monitors stored in a garage or back-room, relief is here. E-Cycle Washington is a new program that started on Jan. 1. It allows free and convenient recycling of these electronic products. The makers of these products are providing about 200 collection sites around the state. State residents, small businesses, school districts, small government agencies and charities can bring television sets, computers (desktop and laptop) and monitors to these sites to be recycled. They will pay no fee for this service. There is no need to rush out this weekend - or even this month. E-Cycle Washington is a permanent and ongoing addition to current recycling opportunities available to Washington residents. Many collection sites will be open several days a week and some will be open every day. And the collection network will be continuously improved to meet the needs of the public.

January 8, 2009 (IDG News Service) New consumer-electronics products are a little greener than those on sale a year ago -- but manufacturers could do much better, according to a study by environmental campaign group Greenpeace International . The report, "Green Electronics: The Search Continues" (download PDF) , evaluated 50 products that 15 companies identified as their most environmentally friendly models, but it found that none of them performed well against all criteria. Greenpeace will hold a news conference at the International CES in Las Vegas on Friday to discuss the report's details

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is making an effort to be greener in 2009 , officially kicks off this morning - and already the eco-announcements are piling up. Electronics makers are claiming their hardware is more energy efficient than the next, manufacturers are launching recycling programs, and devices that just make your life easier (such as navigation services) are being painted as green.

Do you have an old TV, laptop or monitor? Now you can easily recycle it for free, thanks to a new state law. The E-Cycle Washington program requires manufacturers to provide recycling services for TVs, desktop computers, laptop computers and monitors at no cost to residents, nonprofits, small businesses, schools and local governments. "The law puts the responsibility of end-of-life disposal costs on the manufacturer, rather than the resident or local government. This is important because recycling is a very expensive process," said Terri Thomas, education and outreach specialist for Thurston County Solid Waste. Before, residents either had to rely on Thurston County's twice-a-year Community Recycle Days or seek out other options, usually at their own expense, Thomas said. Perhaps that's why electronics are the fastest-growing waste stream, she said.

Great Green Gadget's main purpose is to find interesting articles on the web about gadgets, big and small, that promote environmental concerns. Our value is that we provide the best links and information- by doing this service we help to weed out less useful search engine results and provide useful research that help to better understand an issue. Or perhaps you will just marvel at some new eco-friendly device.

Which Electronics Companies Will Take Back Your Old Computer, TV, or Other Electronics? Before you buy that new computer or TV, think about what you plan to do with your old one. If it still works and you think someone else can use it, then you might want to donate it to a reputable reuse organization. (Make sure the organization is accepting donations for local reuse - and not sending them overseas.) But if that's not an option for you, some of the electronics manufacturers offer recycling programs that you can use, often for free. Some will give you some trade-in credit towards new purchases. This report tells you who offers what services, how to use them, and how to get free recycling.

Oregon health officials are advising people to wait until a new law takes effect Jan. 1 to recycle electronic gear for free, but several local refuse collection services are accepting old TVs, computers and monitors now without charge.

The IAER invested several years of effort to research, verify, and format a database on the electronics recycling industry. As a result, we have the most comprehensive, quality controlled database on electronics recycling organizations available. As a service to IAER Members as well as industry in general, the IAER developed a searchable directory that uses that database.

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.

United Datatech Distributors (UDT) is a full service reclamation company and independent distributor of new and refurbished electronics, peripherals and components. UDT's extensive recycling and processing facilities provide the electronics industry with an all-encompassing solution to a wide variety of asset recovery and disposal needs.

RCN & Associates founded in 1992, originally started off as an IBM large system broker before expanding into the remarketing of IBM NZ's end of lease IT assets. Over the years RCN has also developed a large dealer network in New Zealand & overseas for buying & selling ex lease IT equipment. With RCN's high standards and efficient service we maintain a high quality of refurbished IT products throughout the industry. A few years ago RCN realised a need for an environmental e-waste disposal solution as the number of old and unwanted electronic equipment continued to increase. We developed a total solution for all electronic waste that sees 99% of all waste diverted from landfill.

Free Electronics Recycling Begins January 1, 2009 There are many electronics recyclers in Washington that provide environmentally sound recycling services. However, these recyclers may charge a fee at this time to accept items for recycling.

Since May 2007, Yahoo! Green has been the hub of their eco-friendly services . As a computer-based Internet business, issues of energy efficiency and e-waste are their central environmental concerns.

TechSoup.org offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support. In addition to online information and resources, we offer a product philanthropy service called TechSoup Stock. Here, nonprofits can access donated and discounted technology products, generously provided by corporate and nonprofit technology partners.

A furniture refinishing company has launched a new electronics recycling program to deal with waste electronics generated by furniture remodeling projects. The Refinishing Touch is an Alpharetta, Ga., company that offers on-site furniture refinishing, re-upholstery and armoire modification services to hotel chains and the federal government. Recently the company has conducted armoire modifications for several hotel chains upgrading television sets in guest rooms from CRTs to HD flat panel displays. The company is launching the new program to deal with those discarded displays. The company will guarantee TVs accepted through the program are recycled in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration and EPA industry standards as well as all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. The company also is in the process of gaining no-landfill certification for the program. Waste & Recycling News, 1/13/10.