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

The recycling truck workers have reported that many people are placing loose paper in with their plastic containers and cans. If you want to use the same bin for all your recycling, the paper must be in brown paper bags. If you find it more convenient to have paper loose in a bin, you need to use a separate bin for the other recyclables.

Q. Can't we recycle corrugated cardboard? I put out a box and the recycle truck left it behind.

A: There are two ways to recycle your corrugated. The first is to cut or fold the box down into pieces no larger than 30 inches on a side and put it in or near your bin.

The second is to flatten the box (no cutting needed) and drop it off at the town's composting site on Hartwell Avenue in a special dumpster designated for corrugated cardboard. The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Q: Can we recycle plastic items with no number?

A: No. The numbers represent types of plastic that are chemically distinct, and to be made into a new item each type must be by itself.

Q: How do I recycle the plastic bags used for newspaper delivery?

A: If you shop at a Market Basket or Star/Shaw's supermarket, you can add the clear newspaper bags to the receptacle for recycling plastic grocery bags. Please don't put newspaper bags, or any plastic bag, into your curbside recycle bin.

Q: Can we recycle greeting cards in the bag with the newspapers?

A: Yes, as long as they are paper or cardstock and contain no foil. It doesn't matter what is printed or written on the cards. If you are part of a group that would like to deal with large quantities of cards, you could send them to the Saint Jude's Card Recycling Project 100 St Jude St. or P.O. Box 60100 Boulder City, NV 89006. The children there cut the cards apart and use bits of them to make new cards for fundraising sales.

Q: My microwave oven no longer works. What should I do with it?

A: You could try to have it repaired. Speak to the fixit people at the Senior Center (they are there on Thursday mornings). If it cannot be repaired, call Waste Management at 781-933-2113 for pickup. A microwave oven (like a stove) is in the category of "white goods," which can be picked up without a tag, but should not go out with your other trash.

Q: I have a broken VCR and old CB radio. Can I bring them to the CRT collection?

A: Yes. The special CRT collection days are mostly for TVs and computer monitors, which have lead in them, but you can also bring stereo and similar electronic equipment to the drop-off that day so that the parts can be recycled.

The next collection is on Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Works Facility, 201 Bedford St. Follow the sign to the trailer at the back of the DPW building

REMINDER: Curbside yard waste collection is available starting Oct. 1 until Dec. 7 (10 straight weeks). Place yard waste containers or biodegradable bags at least 8-feet away from regular trash containers on your regular trash collection day. Brush or branches 1-inch or less in diameter should not protrude from the bags or barrels.