Let's Talk Trash column, edited by Laura Dickerson
August 2, 2001

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

As part of the expanded list of items that can be added to the recycle bin, egg cartons (the paper kind, plus the plastic and polystyrene if they have the number on them) can now be included. They need to be clean - if an egg broke in the paper carton, it is soiled paper and should be put into the trash.

Q: Can you clear up the confusion about styrofoam? I put a styrofoam take-out coffee cup into the recycle bin and they took that, but they did not take the packaging from the computer box - both were number 6. What about the styrofoam peanuts used for packing boxes?

A: The easiest way to remember the rule for Lexington recycle bins might be to think of the #1-7 plastics as referring to food containers. The # 6 polystyrene (Styrofoam is a brand name) containers allowed in our bins also includes the trays that some supermarkets use under meat or fruit. Big chunky pieces like those in appliance boxes should be broken down and put into the trash. Clean foam peanuts can be dropped off for re-use at Mailbox, etc. Their Lexington store is on Waltham Street.

Q: Why are cups made of polystyrene foam ("Styrofoam") recyclable, but paper cups not recyclable? This does not make sense to me, given that both polystyrene and paper are recyclable.

A: Soiled paper of any sort is not recyclable. Most of the time, the paper cup absorbs some of the coffee so it is soiled. The Styrofoam does not absorb liquids and therefore remains cleanable and recyclable. Similarly, pizza boxes are not recyclable because most of the time, the pizza box is contaminated with grease. Because of this, all pizza boxes are banned from recycling.

Q: I sorted through my bookshelves and have boxes of left-over books. What should I do with them?

A: Drop them off at a Goodwill collection truck (there is one behind the Walgreen's, open daily approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for resale. If you have some that are literally falling apart, put the pages in with your other paper recycling.

Q: What should we do with summertime items like ice cream containers and iced drink containers?

A: The paperboard ice cream containers would be soiled paper and should be put into the trash. Plastic containers (ice cream, yogurt, take-out drinking cups, water and juice bottles) with a recycle number on the bottom should be rinsed and placed in the recycling bin.

Q: I have two recycle bins now. Can I put the paper into one and all the other items in the other?

This is how many people choose to organize their recycling, but it isn't the only correct way. The important thing to remember is that paper products need to be separated from the containers. This is because it needs to be obvious to the recycling collectors what they are picking up, so they can quickly dump the batch into the right compartment on the truck. Containers are best left loose on the bottom of the bin (not in plastic bags, please!).