Let's Talk Trash, edited by Laura Dickerson

July 18, 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: I thought I had been doing the right thing with my corrugated cardboard, but I got a rejection sticker, saying that it had to be tied. What's up?

A: Although corrugated cardboard does not have to be tied, the drivers prefer it that way because it's easier for them to load in the truck. The town encourages residents to tie bundles, especially if there are more than four pieces. Folded cardboard can be a problem. Such cardboard can become unfolded in the truck, creating problems when Waste Management people try to empty the paper and cardboard compartment. It's better to cut it down into pieces that are no bigger than 30 inches on a side. Also remember that there is a designated dumpster for recycling corrugated cardboard at the Hartwell Avenue composting facility.

Q: I get Tyvek envelopes sometimes in the mail. Are they plastic? If they are considered a plastic bag then there's probably no way to recycle them, but I wanted to be sure.

A: You can't put them into the bin, but Dupont, the manufacturer, has a recycling program for them. They are made of HDPE, 25% of that from recycled milk and water jugs. This is one of the most recyclable plastics made. If you have 25 or fewer, turn one of the envelopes inside out and stuff the others into it, and address it as follows:

Terry Fife - Tyvek® Recycling Specialist

5401 Jefferson Davis Highway

Spot 197 - Room 231

Richmond, VA 23234

You still have to pay the postage, but they will recycle the envelopes. If you have more than that, call 1 (800) 44-TYVEK for details about sending them to a recycler. For a business that gets very large numbers, they will set up a custom recycling program.

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Reminders: The next Household Hazardous Waste collection is July 20th at Hartwell Avenue.

The CRT (computer monitors, TVs) and other electronics collection is July 27th, at the DPW barn from 8 AM until 1 PM.

There are now collection boxes for button batteries (the kind found in watches, hearing aids, some cameras) at Theatre Camera, The Board of Health office, The Council on Aging, the DPW, and Cary Library. This is an ongoing project, and the button batteries can be dropped off whenever those locations are open.

Got a question or a suggestion? You can reach us by calling the League of Women Voters line at (781) 861-0123 or by email at lexrecycles@hotmail.com.

For more information, check out the SWAT web page at