I was really hoping, quite honestly, that someone else would write to clarify about the concerns expressed by the gentleman who wrote about trash and recycling. I understand why he is bothered; my neighbors asked me the same question.

The answer is this: the truck that now picks up both trash and recycling is separated at the top. If you watch closely, you will see that one bin is emptied into one side of the top; it then closes, the next bin is raised and the other side opens. Yes, trash and recycling are collected by the same truck but in separate bins.

I would encourage the Sentry to consider making a quick phone call, before printing a letter like this, because anyone at city hall in South Portland could have clarified this question. A return call to this gentleman who wrote may have put him at ease, been a great public service and eliminated the potential for alarming other citizens who may now be wondering, “is this true?”

Rest assured—it is still worth recycling. Please don’t give up the practice. Each piece you recycle keeps it out of the landfill and helps to save our precious planet.

 Rosemarie De Angelis

South Portland