Let's Talk Trash column, edited by Laura Dickerson

July 19, 2001

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

Q: What kind of milk and juice containers can we put in the recycle bin?
A: The plastic jugs (with a handle), regular cartons and aseptic packages (like juice boxes) can all go into the recycle bin. They should be rinsed first, and lids and straws removed.

Q: What kinds of paper can be recycled?
A: The joke answer is "if it looks like paper, it is paper." Newspapers, office paper, advertising flyers, magazines, cereal and cracker boxes (remove the plastic liners), etc. are fine. Exceptions are soiled paper (if you use newspaper as a drop cloth and get paint on it, it's trash. Pizza boxes are trash. Used tissues are trash.) and items like carbon paper or plastic-coated freezer boxes, which all should be put into the trash. Staples are OK, but you should remove paper clips. Plastic window envelopes are OK. If you are worried that shredded office paper will blow down your street, put the shredded paper at the bottom of the brown paper bag and put newspapers or magazines on top.

Q: I have an old printer I'd like to get rid of. Can I put it out in its original packaging?
A: Cardboard boxes should be recycled. You can cut it down and put it into your bin, or take it to the composting facility at Hartwell Avenue and put it in the cardboard collection dumpster there. If the printer still works, donate it to Goodwill. If it no longer works, probably the best thing would be to take it to the town's next CRT collection on July 28. This is mostly for TVs and computer monitors (which by state law cannot be put into the trash) but they also accept other electronic items. The collection will take place at 201 Bedford St. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.