Let's Talk Trash column from the Lexington Minuteman
edited by Laura Dickerson
January 9, 2003

Q: I am about to throw away a pair of sneakers that have the little lights in the sole. Do I need to worry about recycling the batteries or anything?

A: First, remember that unless a pair of shoes is entirely worn out, it might be useful to someone else. Goodwill takes and re-sells shoes, for example. Sneakers (running shoes) of any sort that are worn beyond being wearable can be dropped off at locations of the City Sports stores or the Nike Town store on Newbury Street Boston, to be sent to Nike for their recycling program. In that case, they remove the lights and batteries before they grind the shoe components up to be made into athletic surfaces.

A little late, here are some possible New Year's resolutions that could help the environment

The lifestyle change that would benefit the environment most is for people in the US to use cars less. Walk, bike, use public transportation, try to carpool.

The Appalachian Mountain Club suggests that people drink tap water rather than buying jugs of water at the grocery store. While it is true that the gallon jugs are #2 HDPE, a very recyclable type, manufacturing plastic is still not a harmless process, and transporting any good to market uses resources and pollutes the air. In Lexington the water supply is tested weekly for hazardous bacteria. Home Environmental on Bedford Street sells home test kits to check for lead - lead needs to be tested house by house, because lead content depends partly each home's plumbing. If your water is safe but you don't like the taste, a simple filter could help. And remember that bottled water is not necessarily safer or cleaner than tap water - the government regulations are not as strict as those for tap water.

Try to shop more carefully, to buy fewer products and those with less wasteful packaging. An organization that provides educational material for teens about the environmental consequences of too much consumption suggest considering the following when shopping:


1. Do I need it?
2. How many do I already have?
3. How much will I use it?
4. How long will it last?
5. Could I borrow it from a friend or family member?
6. Can I do without it?
7. Am I able to clean, lubricate and/or maintain it myself?
8. Am I willing to?
9. Will I be able to repair it?
10. Have I researched it to get the best quality for the best price?
11. How will I dispose of it when I’m done using it?
12. Are the resources that went into it renewable or nonrenewable?
13. Is it made of recycled materials, and is it recyclable?
14. Is there anything that I already own that I could substitute for it?
15. Is it packaged with superfluous wrapping?

Other ideas can be found in the book "The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists" by Michael Brower and Warren Leon, available from UCS at their web site www.ucsusa.org/publication.cfm?publicationID=308

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 Iexrecycles@hotmail.com. For more information, check out the SWAT Web page at http://www.lexingtonma.org/swat /HomePage.htm, the town's Web site http://ci.lexington.ma.us (click on the Solid Waste quick-link) or call: 781-274-7298.