SAN FRANCISCO -- The nonprofit Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) for the first time scored major TV manufacturers for their recycling efforts, including commitment, volume of goods taken and public policy stance. The group assigned Sony the top grade -- a B- -- followed by Samsung, LG and Wal-Mart, each of whom earned C marks.

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Two NGOs that have led the charge on responsible e-waste takeback have joined with 32 North American electronics recyclers today to set the greenest standards possible for handling toxic electronic waste.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Lenovo expanded its Asset Recovery Service to the European Union this week, while long-awaited recycling guidelines from the EPA were announced to immediate derision from NGOs working on e-waste and environmental issues.

AUSTIN, Texas -- National Instruments has a launched a free global service for customers that allows them to ship NI hardware back to the company for recycling.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- In its first industry-wide report, the Consumer Electronics Association gives an overview of how consumer electronics companies have been reevaluating their entire operations.

Columbus, Ohio -- The consultancy offers services and market education programs aimed at the three R's: reduce, reuse and recycle.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The Electronics TakeBack Coalition and the Basel Action Network are withdrawing from an EPA-led e-waste standards committee, noting that the proposed results will fail to meet their three basic criteria for responsible recycling.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- New European Union rules governing the design and disposal of batteries came into effect last week, heralding restrictions on the toxic contents of batteries sold in the region.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Already the nation's largest residential recycler, Waste Management yesterday announced that it was signing on to the Basel Action Network's E-Stewards Pledge to responsibly recycle electronic waste.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Starting this month, computer manufacturers that want to sell their products in Texas will have to offer free and convenient recycling of old electronics to end users.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal General Accounting Office released yesterday an extensive report detailing shortcomings in how the government manages U.S. e-waste, leading to widespread pollution in developing countries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The ninth edition of the survey of major electronics manufacturers finds that many companies are making at least some progress, but Nokia regains the lead with improved takeback programs.

A growing number of companies are taking on greater levels of responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products -- from point of manufacturing through to end of the life recycling. E-waste recycling is taking off, but obstacles remain to its widespread practice in North America.