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

Q. I received a Tyvek envelope that has a recycling symbol on it. Can I put it into the bin?

A: No, Tyvek envelopes are essentially plastic bags, and can't be put into the bin. If you can stick another label on over the original one, though, it can be reused.

Remember that we can't put any plastic bags into the bin, no matter what recycling number might be printed on them.

Q. Why are cardboard ice cream containers or coffee cups not recyclable?

A: Because they have absorbed food and are soiled. Washing them does not remove the food absorbed into the cardboard.

Q: You said it's OK to recycle the metal ends of juice concentrate "cans." Can we rinse out the cans themselves and put them into the recycle bin?

A: It is OK to recycle metal lids that are all metal (no rubber or plastic parts), so you may disassemble the can to get both lids (top and bottom). The cardboard part of the can is not recyclable since it is soiled.

Q: I have old firewood that I'd like to get rid of. What do I do? A: If it is still good, try to give it to wood-burning friends. If it has begun to rot, you can tie it into bundles no more than 3-feet long and weighing less than 75 pounds, and put a bundle out as a bulky item (one per week).

A. If the wood is decomposed to the point of being crumbly, put the bits into a yard waste bag and take it to the composting facility or wait until October and put it out with yard waste.

Q. The rules say we can put plastic containers into bins. I have had some items rejected. What's up?

A. There are exceptions - containers that had hazardous materials (like motor oil or antifreeze or pesticides) are not allowed. Large polystyrene (Styrofoam) packaging is not allowed, although the trays that sometimes hold meat or vegetables are OK and so are clean egg cartons.

Also, the plastic containers need to have a recycling number from 1 to 7. Containers with no number should not be placed in the bin.

REMINDER - the next Household Hazardous Waste drop-off date is Sept. 15.

Remember that among many other items considered hazardous, fluorescent lights should be dropped off, not put into the trash.