Televisions, computers, cell phones and digital music players have a short life span, which usually means consumers are stuck trying to figure out how to get rid of their outdated toys.

Instead of tossing them in the trash, a no-no among the environmental crowd, manufactures are offering environmentally friendly ways to unload the unwanted gear and in some cases let you save a buck or two along the way.

So before you go out and buy your next electronic gadget, check out what some of the nation’s biggest technology companies are offering.

APPLE: The Cupertino, California computer and entertainment company’s wildly popular iPod digital music player is a must have for many, but the models are frequently updated. Instead of bitterly running out to get the latest iteration of the iPod, knowing only a short time ago you spent some hard earned cash on your older iPod, Apple gives you’re a reason to upgrade.

Apple offers a free iPod recycling program at its close to 200 stores for in store and online purchases where you can turn in your used iPod and get a 10% discount on a new one. Apple will also accept cell phones and digital music players that aren’t made by Apple. Sorry you don’t get a 10% discount for those.

But that’s not all Apple does. Customers that buy a new Macintosh computer can also recycle their old gear for free and it doesn’t matter what manufacturer it comes from. Consumers have to opt in to the program when making a purchase online. For those actually in an Apple store, it’s offered when completing the sale. After the purchase, customers are sent an email and instructions on how to package the old products. Once they’re ready to go, all a consumer has to do is bring the package and the e-mail to any Federal Express store.

SONY: One of the world’s largest consumer electronics company, Sony recently jumped on the recycling band wagon in North America. Sony established a national recycling program, which kicked off in September. Sony customers can bring any Sony branded product to 75 Waste Management Recycle America “eCycling” drop-off centers around the country for free. Consumers can also unload non-Sony electronic products, but will have to pay a fee. Within a year Sony plans to have 150 “eCycling” locations in every state. The goal is to have a drop off location within 20 miles of 95% of the U.S. population. Lazy consumers can opt to ship the products to some of the recycling locations.

DELL:  Dell, the Round Rock, Texas computer maker makes it nearly impossible for you not to recycle. After all, if you live in the U.S., Dell will make a house call to pick up your Dell gear for free. All you have to do is visit Dell’s Web site, download a shipping label and set up an appointment. If you buy new Dell equipment, the computer maker will recycle any other manufacturers’ products at no extra charge. The program is global, but international customers don’t get an in home visit from Dell. For altruistic customers, Dell offers the ability to donate working, used equipment to charity. Dell is working with the National Cristina Foundation, which will give the equipment to a non-profit in the donor’s community.

Motorola: The Schaumburg, Illinois-based cell phone maker that brought us the RAZR, has a global recycling initiative and in the U.S. has its “Race to Recycle” program geared toward school children. The program, which is open to all accredited K-12 schools in the U.S., pays the schools for any manufacturers’ old cell phones.

Motorola provides the schools with postage and boxes to ship the phones. Each box holds 100. The schools get paid per phone based on a price list that varies monthly. Any one can join the program, with a portion of the non-school participant’s proceeds going to the schools in the program. Motorola does take $15 from each box to cover material and shipping costs.

Motorola pays the schools up to $21,000 per year. The handset maker also lets anyone go to its Web site to download free postage to send any cell phone back to Motorola. According to Motorola, from 2004 to 2006 the company has recovered 5,000 metric tons of electronic and electric equipment waste for recycling.