Now that mandatory recycling is underway, and looks encouraging, many residents want to do their best to adhere to the town's new guidelines, while also helping the environment and saving the town money.

We received a question from a Danvers resident wondering exactly what can and can't be placed in your recycling bin, and we went to the Department of Public Works for some specific answers.

• Plastic laundry detergent bottles/chemical cleaners: As long as they’re rinsed out and are marked as a #1-#7 plastic, they can be recycled.
• Canned goods : No need to take labels off – just give them a quick rinse.
• Plastic fruit dishes:  Just give them a quick rinse.
• Strawberry/blueberry containers – If you can rip it, you can recycle it!  This category also includes the 4 cup holders from take-out places, egg cartons, etc.
• Grocery bags – NOT curbside, but bring them back to your local supermarket.

Danvers has dual stream recycling, meaning glass, cans, plastics #1-7 may be comingled in your recycling bin.

Paper including newspaper, magazines, paperboard may be bagged in paper, tied or put in a separate bin. Cardboard must be cut, flattened to 4’x 4’ and bundled to no thicker than 1’.

For a list of papers that can and cannot be recycled, check out Mass Recycles Paper.

To learn more about Danvers specific recycling, check out the video made in collaboration with Danvers Community Access Television.

To access it:

• Go to http://www.danverstv.org/home.htm
• At the top of the page, click the Video on Demand Button.
• In the new window, you will see a menu on the right. Click the heading that says “Town Hall Television”
• The Mandatory Recycling video should be in the list.
• Click the video and it will start to play automatically, and it could take a couple of seconds to load.

Have a question about something in Danvers? Email molly.buccini@patch.com to be featured in our next You Ask, Patch Answers.