Recycle unwanted electronics items June 21 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will collect unwanted, outdated or non-working household electronics items from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, June 21, at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (540 Depot St., a block south of eastbound US 41) in Hancock.

Among the items accepted for a small fee are computers and accessories, microwave ovens, stereos, TVs and monitors, DVD players, VCRs, cordless phones, and electronic ballasts (all $0.10/lb.); fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs ($0.50 each); alkaline batteries ($0.85/lb.). Rechargeable batteries and cell phones with batteries are free.

For more details, see www.wupdhd.org/rsvp/e-waste.html or call Barb Maronen at the health department (482-7382). If you miss this opportunity, don't panic! There will be a collection July 12 in Baraga County (location TBA) and another collection in Houghton County this fall.

There is concern that the transition to digital TV in February 2009 may result in people prematurely discarding analog televisions in the mistaken belief that they will no longer work. Only analog TVs that receive signals via rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will require converter boxes -- and a government-sponsored $40 coupon program is available to help pay for up to two boxes per household: Visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009. Cable and satellite TV subscribers can continue to use their existing TVs, even if they aren't digital-ready models.

For more information visit www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html.

Please note that this opportunity does not apply to Michigan Tech University-owned electronics, which are recycled through the University's e-waste program.