Charge for electronics recycling

Organizers behind the twice-a-year collection of electronics and household hazardous waste would like the public to be aware of an important change coming next month.
Due to circumstances impacting recyclers of electronics, there will be a $10-per item charge for all televisions and computer monitors when the annual spring collection takes place April 18 at the county fairgrounds. There will be a $20 fee for each console or projection television.
Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said there is no charge associated with any other type of electronics. The need to start charging for televisions and monitors comes as the result of rebates no longer available to recyclers from companies that produce the items.
The $10-per-unit cost St. Joseph County is imposing is a relative bargain compared to what some other counties are charging. Kulikowski said she is aware of a drop-off event in another county where it can cost as much as $50 to get rid of a big-screen television.