Let's Talk Trash, edited by Laura Dickerson

July 4, 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: We have a 10-foot metal pole that used to hold up our basketball hoop. How can we get rid of it?

A: It's too big to count as a bulky item for the truck. If you have a way of cutting it down to yard-long pieces, one piece per week can go out next to your trash (this would be true of a wooden pole as well). An option would be to take it to Carroll's on Waltham Street, where they take scrap metal for recycling. Call 781-861-6060 to check with them.

Q. I am confused about the yard waste schedule. When is the next pick up?

A: It will be sometime (as yet unscheduled) in the fall. The July and August pickups tentatively scheduled under the PAYT program won't happen. You can drop off your yard waste at the composting facility on Hartwell Avenue Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, if you don't already compost at home, it's a good time to start. The town sells bins very cheaply. Call the DPW at 781-8612757 for more information. Remember that yard waste should not be put out as trash.

Q: I was under the impression that nothing is supposed to go into the storm drains but rainwater. I saw a painter dump paint down one, and when people don't pick up after their dogs, sometimes the waste goes down as well. What is the answer?

A: You are correct that nothing other than water should go into the drains. This water ends up in streams and wetlands. It does not get piped to a treatment plant. No paint, oil, or other hazardous substance should ever be poured in. Lawn pesticides, if used, must be applied exactly as specified, to prevent poisonous run-off from going down the drain.

Lexington, like most municipalities, requires that people who walk their dogs collect the waste and put it in the trash. There is a system of fines for people who ignore this, if they are discovered. When it does go down the storm drain, it raises the bacterial count in the stream water. Also as a reminder, no pet feces should go into your compost.

The next collection day for CRTs (televisions and computer monitors) plus other electronics is July 27.

It is worrisome that the recycling rates dipped and the trash rates rose when the PAYT tags were no longer required. There is no reason for this to happen if people are being responsible when putting out their solid waste. There will still be weekly pickup of both trash and recycling. The items accepted for recycling won't change. It will still save the town money to cut back on how much trash you throw out. The weekly limit per household is six bags barrels of trash and one bulky item. There is no limit on the number of recycling bins.