This biweekly column tries to answer some o f the most commonly asked questions about recycling, composting and the town's solid waste program.

Reader suggestions this time:

Q. Could you ask people not to let trash go into the storm drains? All it would take is a little effort on everyone's part.

A: Probably most people know not to dump oil or other chemicals down the storm drain. You are correct that only water should go into the drains, nothing else - not those liquids or pieces of trash or dog droppings. Anything that goes into a storm drain ends up in streams and wetlands. It does not get piped to a treatment plant. Lawn pesticides, if used, must be applied exactly as specified, to prevent poisonous run-off from going down the drain. Keeping the street clean around the drains should help keep out some junk.

A: To summarize for people without Internet access, it's a fairly simple process. Get a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid. For air circulation, drill holes in three rows, about half a foot apart, all the way around plus a few in the bottom. Put a small layer of sawdust or wood chips or straw in the bottom to absorb some of the liquids. Remember the usual compost formula - two parts dry and brown (dry leaves, straw, fine sawdust) + one part green (grass clippings, fruit, vegetable peels).