By now we all know that the government has mandated that analog television programming become digital. While the original date that was set for February 17, 2009, has been moved to June 12, 2009, about a third of the nation’s TV stations have already made the switch. But there’s still a little time to decide whether or not you want to buy a new HD TV, order a converter box, or subscribe to cable or satellite television.

For those of you hanging on to your existing TV, we salute you. For those of you who need to know what to do with the old analog buddy that saw you through many a late-night movie, we have some tips.
There are an estimated 24 million cathode ray tube televisions (CRT) that will need to be disposed of, and because they contain toxins such as chromium, lead (4 to 8 pounds per TV!), and mercury, it’s imperative that we recycle them. There really otta be a law, but until there is a national regulated recycling system in place, here are some end-of-life solutions for your old TV:

For TV recycling centers near you, check out:

eRecycle: for all things related to e-cycling your old TVs
Earth 911: find recycling centers near you, and get the skinny on how to make Earth Day every day
My Green Electronics: to find recycling centers closest to your zip code
National Recycling Coalition: for state by state recycling resources
Electronics Industry Alliance: to find reuse, recycling, and donation programs in your state
International Association of Electronic Recyclers Directory of the Electronics Recycling Industry: provides a comprehensive database on the electronics recycling industry
Directory of the North American Scrap Electronics Recycling Industry: for a list electronics scrap processors and buyers across North America
eStewards: because not all e-cycling centers are ethically managing toxic waste (really, how low can one go?), eStewards has created a gold star system for recyclers that have signed the Electronic Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship, what eStewards consider to be “the most rigorous criteria for sustainable and socially just electronics recycling.

To donate obsolete but still working TVs, consider:

Goodwill Industries (please note: not all thrift stores want old TVs or computers because they are too expensive to dispose of if they are not working, so check first)
Salvation Army
Local schools, community organizations (maybe donate a digital-to-analog converter box along with it!)
Recycle for Breast Cancer
Freecycle:  This site that will help you find an organization near you that wants your contraband.

Utilize TV manufacturer’s recycling options:

Sony and Waste Management
Samsung Recycling Direct:  Samsung recently partnered with Wal-Mart to take back Wal-Mart’s house branded TVs

This list should really be longer . . . come on, manufacturers!