Let's Talk Trash, edited by Laura Dickerson

March 6, 2003, 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 have questions about bulky items. I have an area rug and a futon mattress I need to get rid of. Is there a number to call?

A: In the same envelope with the most recent tax bill there was an informative sheet from the DPW with just this kind of information, plus the schedule for spring yard waste pickup and other good stuff. (This question arrived before that mailing was sent). It's good to go keep the town's mailings handy. If you've recycled it already, you can also get good information at the town's Web site. See the bottom of the column for the URL.

To answer the question - they're both collectable by the regular garbage truck. Rugs need to be rolled and tied and cut into 4-foot lengths. A 15-foor rug would be equal to one bulky item and be cut into three to four pieces. A futon can be placed out at the curb next to your trash as a bulky item.

Items classified as "white goods" are the ones that require a call to schedule a pick up. This includes large appliances plus dehumidifiers and a few other things. They are collected by a different sort of truck. Metal appliances are sent out for scrap, and fridges, air conditioners and such have to have the gas reclaimed rather than released into the environment.

In other news:

In Massachusetts, as in many other states, a deposit is collected on soda bottles and cans. The customer can redeem the empty container for the deposit, but in many cases people don't bother, and either put the containers into recycle bins or (unfortunately) in the trash or on the ground. The nickels from the unredeemed containers add up to millions of dollars. When the bottle bill was first passed, the idea was to dedicate this money to improve recycling and composting in Massachusetts through the Clean Environment Fund. Over the years the fund (watched over by the Legislature) has given grant money to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and recycling businesses.

The money has been used to improve collection and processing, to help with infrastructure, and for education and outreach. Lexington has benefited from such grants. During the short time Gov. Mitt Romney has been in office, the amount granted has been cut hugely. In the current budget crisis, he has proposed that the state stop using the CEF for its designated purpose and roll it into the Stabilization fund. The proposed budget includes only $4.5 million for recycling, down from $16 million dollars a few years ago.

Massrecycle, the Massachusetts recycling coalition, and other environmental groups are organizing to oppose the governor's proposal. For more information see: massrecycle.org.

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 lexingtonma.org/swat/HomePage.htm, the town's web site: ci.lecington.ma.us (Click on the Solid Waste quicklink.), or call 781-274-7298.