Q How many people reach age 100 in Minnesota?

A It depends on when you were born and how old you are now, according to Martha McMurry with the State Demographic Center.

If you were born in 1900, the probability of living to age 100 was very low. In the 2000 census, only about 0.02 percent of the Minnesota population was 100 or older. This reflects the high mortality rates of the early 1900s. But the odds of living to age 100 have risen over time.

State demographers estimate that a baby born in Minnesota in 2000 will have a 2 percent chance of surviving to age 100.

This estimate assumes that death rates by age remain the same as in 2000. History suggests, however, that they will not. Death rates could increase, for example, if there are major epidemics, wars or other disasters, effectively lowering the number of people who live to age 100.

Q How much was collected in the recent multisite collection of electronics for recycling? Why are these events free? Normally, we have to pay to recycle these goods. Who pays for these collections?

A Last month's two-day, multisite collection event collected 4 million pounds of electronics for recycling. About 42,000 people took part in the drive sponsored by Sony Electronics and Waste Management Recycle America.

These free collection events are happening because Minnesota decided that manufacturers who produce this trash have to help clean it up.

Under Minnesota's Electronics Recycling Act of 2007, manufacturers must register with the state and pay a fee if they want to sell merchandise with electronic screens (computers and TVs). They must pay for the recycling of 60 percent by weight of what they sell this year; 80 percent next year.

To meet their quotas and satisfy state law, manufacturers are contracting with recycling companies and paying them to pick up and recycle electronics. To do that, recycling companies hold free collection events for the public's convenience. Material Processing Corp. held one at the Mall of America last year. Some recycling companies continue to accept electronic items at their site for free after the event.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com.

Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies. Fixit appears daily in Source except on Friday.