Let's Talk Trash column, edited by Laura Dickerson
February
14, 2001
This biweekly column tries to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about recycling, composting and the town's solid waste pro-gram.
Q: I have an old bicycle to donate. The Handyman column of the Boston Globe recommended a charity called Pedals for Progress, but there doesn't seem to be a donation center in our area.
A: Pedals for Progress ships bikes to developing countries around the world. Their plan is that they try to get community organizations to do a one time (or once yearly) collection rather than have a donor site. If you belong to a church or Scout group or similar that wants to .do this, there is contact info at their Web site to help you set it up.
http://www.p4p.org. Or call 908-638-4811. Bikes not Bombs at 59 Amory St. in Roxbury 617-442-0004 does similar work and has a collection site, but their storage space is currently full and they aren't taking any more bikes until (probably) the end of the month.Q: I have a really large piece of styrofoam packaging. Can I put it out as a bulky item?
A: After checking with Waste Management, the answer is no. It is possible to break it into small enough pieces to fit into a barrel or bag, so you should do that. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs is sponsoring a free thermometer exchange program. Trade in your mercury thermometer for a safe new digital one at your local Stop & Shop Pharmacy, Walgreens, Brooks and other participating pharmacies through Feb. 23rd. The closest locations are the Lexington Walgreens, Bedford Stop & Shop Pharmacy, and Waltham Brooks (former Osco, near the Star Market). For more information call 1-866-9Mercury or see the web site
http://www.stopmercuryorgOther common items containing mercury are fluorescent bulbs. These should be dropped off at the Household Hazardous waste collection days, not put into the trash.
Recommendation: If you're con-fused about labels claiming that a product is "Organic" or wonder how to find wood from a sustain-able forest, try the Web site http://www.eco-labels.org/. This is run by the Consumer's Union, the people who publish Consumer Reports.
Got a question or a suggestion? You can reach us by calling the League of 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/Hom ePage.htm, the PAYT home page at, http://lci.lexington.ma.us (click on the PAYT quicklink) or call the PAYT number: 781-2747298.