E-waste update: Electronics TakeBack Coalition rates TV manufacturers

Because I know you are just DYING to go out this weekend and make sure that you have a television that is compliant with the digital conversion (if you don't already), just want to remind you to dispose of your old one responsibly. Do not stick it out by the curb! Because even if the sanitation experts do pick it up, they probably aren't supposed to do so.

If you must make room for the new boob tube, the Environmental Protection Agency has created a web site about where you can recycle your old one. Although some organizations, like the Basel Action Network, think the EPA's guidelines are sort of weak.

If you're thinking about using a vendor-sponsored or managed electronics takeback program to make room in your living room, the Electronics TakeBack Coalition has published an updated version of its TV Company Recycling Report Card. There are six companies that actually offer recycling options: Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba. Most of these vendors, the coalition reports, have improved their scores. But a bunch of other organizations completely flunk: Vizio, Funai, Mitsubishi, Philips, JVC, Sanyo and Target (which obviously sells a lot of these things). Here's the new report card before you go out and buy anything.

Incidentally, if you want to see how your state is doing in terms of e-waste collection, the coalition also publishes volumes being collected. The state of Washington, for example, is taking in 3 million pounds per month -- more than half of that volume is from televisions.