Let's Talk Trash, edited by Laura Dickerson 
May 23, 2002, Column from the Lexington Minuteman

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

Q: What can we do with the plastic bags that are used to deliver newspapers?
A: Some of the supermarkets that take back plastic shopping bags will also take the clear newspaper bags, as they are also #4 plastic. if you want to avoid the bags entirely you can request that the Globe/New York Times delivery service have your paper carrier deliver them unbagged. Call 781-466-1818 to have this request added to your account information. Don't put plastic bags of any sort into your recycle bin. 

Q. Will there be another thermometer exchange at Discovery Day this year?
A: No, but if you have a mercury thermometer that you'd like to trade in for a digital one, you can go to the Health Department (in the basement of Town Hall) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays. The DPW will have some recycling information available as part of their Discovery Day display.

REMINDER: If you pull up garlic mustard plants in order to help eradicate this invader from our area, do not put them into your compost. Add them to your trash so that they will be incinerated.

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/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.