Thursday, July 31, 2003 • LEXINGTON MINUTEMAN

Lexington Solid Waste Action Team

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

Q: I work at Custance Place. Can we recycle in our building?

A: The town can't provide recycling services (or trash pick-up) to private businesses due to the cost. There are several other options for you, though. Your building is owned by a management company. Your first step should be to have the management company arrange with their trash hauler to pick up recycling as well. Almost all trash companies also handle recycling upon request. Different companies charge different amounts for this service, but as every pound you recycle is one less pound in your trash, the costs might even out or work in your favor. When negotiating with " a management company (or any sort of landlord), it is more convincing to have a number of tenants make the same request together.

Q: After the end of curbside yard waste pickup, I tried to put out a regular garbage bag full of yard waste, but the garbage truck didn't take it. What am I supposed to do with my yard waste?

A: There should have been a sticker on the rejected bag explaining that it is a violation of state regulations for yard waste to be put in the trash. In 1990 Massachusetts instituted a ban on yard waste (and recyclables, and other items) which is meant to keep

solid waste haulers from taking such goods to an incinerator or landfill. Correspondingly, Lexington (and other municipalities) prohibit yard waste from the trash. You have three options:

1) You can compost as much as possible of your yard waste. The town has useful pamphlets explaining the technique, the library has books, and there are many Web sites with information, including the SWAT site mentioned at the bottom of the column. The town also sells composters quite cheaply. Call 781-861-2757 for purchasing details.

2) You can drive your yard waste to the facility at 60 Hartwell Ave. Their hours are weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours may change in the fall. The DPW is reviewing the guidelines about what can be dropped off, and is working to make the drop-off smoother now that the traffic is heavier.

3) You can hire a private lawn/landscaping service to take away your yard waste. They are also bound by the waste bans, and have contracts with composting facilities to drop off their yard waste. If you have branches or limbs that are larger than 1 inch in diameter, they can be put out with the trash. They must be cut to lengths no longer than 3 feet and tied in bundles not weighing more than 75 pounds per bundle. A maximum of five bundles will be collected at a time.

Businesses or interested individuals might want to attend the open house/workshop about recycling hosted by the property manager C.B. Richard Ellis. They have offered to give a tour of their One Beacon Street property and a presentation about their operations. Come see how their teamwork and organization has led to a successful cost reducing recycling program. All are welcome. The workshop is FREE for Race-to-Recycle Participants and WasteCap Donors. There is a $20 fee for all other attendees.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at One Beacon Street, Boston. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by Aug. 6 to WasteCap at 617-236-7715 or wastecap@wastecap.org.