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

Q: Most of my garbage is disposable diapers.  Are there any diaper services around if I change over to cloth?

A:  There are three in Massachusetts, but only one delivers to Lexington. It is Kimberley's, in Hyannis. Their number is  (508) 771-7118.  It is a small family-run company and they serve a large area,including Lexington, Cambridge & Somerville. The cost for one child's diapers is probably about the same as disposables, but if you have more than one child in diapers the savings can be substantial using the service.  If you've never dealt with cloth diapers, you may not know that it's fairly easy, especially if you use the covers that are available, which use velcro rather than pins. For the health and environmental advantages, see: http://www.diaperingdecisions.com/virtues.htm

Q: I heard that the Massachusetts is running out of landfill space and the DEP has lifted its moratorium on new landfills.  Why is this necessary if we are recycling more?

A:  Landfills across the state are being closed or are filling up.  The DEP plan  projects only modest growth in recycling and large growth in trash, leading them to conclude that landfill expansions are needed.  But they kept the moratorium on new incinerators, apparently acknowledging the environmental problems that trash burning has caused. The lobbying pressures on Governor Cellucci have been intense with trash haulers pushing for more landfills and environmentalists pushing for more recycling.  According to a study by Clean Water Action,  the state could easily increase its recycling rate to make the new landfills unnecessary.  The final result of all this may depend on who wins the local battles against landfill expansion. In any event,  increasing our recycling rate and reducing waste output are the preferred solutions to the trash problem, and every effort we make in this regard eases the pressure on the landfills.

Q: What should I do with my Christmas tree?  Are they picked up like yard waste?

A:  Because of the additional expense it would entail to send a truck around after the normal yard waste collection is over, there is no special curbside collection for trees.  If you leave it at the curb with your other trash, it will be picked up by the garbage truck and taken to the incinerator.  If  you want it to be composted by the town, drop it off at the DPW barn at 201 Bedford Street.   Follow the signs to the exact spot.  Please remove all decorations, including tinsel and any little fasteners that might cause a problem in the chipper.
 

Mercury pollution has been in the news a lot lately, often mentioned in connection with drives to collect thermometers and medical instruments.  One thing to keep in mind is that fluorescent bulbs are a source of mercury and absolutely should not be placed in the trash, because incineration releases the mercury into the air.

Got a question or a suggestion? You can reach us by calling the League of Women Voters line at 861-0123 or by email at lexrecycles@hotmail.com.  For more information, check out the SWAT web page at http://www.lexingtonma.org/swat/HomePage.htm