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

Good news from the DPW! The cardboard collection container located at the Hartwell Avenue site will remain open throughout the winter months. Currently the container for corrugated cardboard is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Weekend hours will resume starting in the spring. Residents can also bring leaf and yard waste to the compost facility during these hours.

Q: I put out an old metal snow shovel, and it was not picked up. Do I need to cut it into smaller pieces and put it in a trash bag?
A: This should have been collected by the garbage truck as a bulky item, no tag required. Try again. If they still leave it behind, call Waste Management at 781-933-2113 to report it.

Q: Is there an organization that accepts working cell phones? I changed service providers 'and am left with an extra phone. Last year there was a way to donate phones to women's shelters.
A: Maybe you mean the Call to Protect project. There's a national organization that has collection boxes in various spots. For the local list, (which unfortunately doesn't include Lexington) see http://www.donateaphone.com/states.cfm?st=Massachusetts If you'd rather mail it to them directly, see http://www.donateaphone.com/where.cfm After you have deactivated the phone service, you should send the phone, battery, and recharger together.

Information for people without Web access: There are drop-off boxes at various Wireless Zone locations (the closest probably being Framingham or Stoneham) and the address for mailing it in directly is Call to Protect c/o Motorola, 1580 E. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

Got a question or a suggestion? You can reach us by calling the League o f Women Voters line at 781-861-0123 or by e-mail at lexrecycles@hotmail.com For more information, check out the SWAT Web page at http://www.lexingtonma.org/swat/HomePage.htm , the PAYT home page at http://ci.lexington.ma.us (click on the PAYT quicklink) or call the PAYT number. 781-274-7298.