LINCOLN – With the addition of five new recycling hoppers at the town’s transfer station, residents can do their part for the environment and help save the town money.

Set up last week adjacent to the trash compactor at the transfer station, the metal containers are available for residents to sort out newspapers, magazines, cardboard, translucent plastic and tin cans, according to Nancy Page, the station’s director.

Sorting out the recyclable materials from the trash cuts down on the amount of waste and cost for having it hauled away. Meanwhile, it helps generate revenues for the town when it is sold to companies that buy the recycled materials, she said.

“We’re making money while cutting down on waste,” Page said.

The extra revenues and lower cost are beneficial considering the transfer station’s high budget, Page said. In addition to rising fuel prices and state licensing fees, the station has seen annual increases in the cost for disposing of demolition debris and wood ash, she said.

Before the arrival of the recycling bins, the town had no recycling program, although transfer station officials routinely pulled recyclable materials out of the waste stream, Page said. By placing the hoppers next to the trash compactor, the hope is that recycling would be convenient for residents who use the station, she said.

“I think we got a pretty good town here, most of the residents do recycle,” Page said. “In the past week, we’ve emptied all of the hoppers at least once or twice already.”

The recycling bins were half-funded through a $13,710 recycling infrastructure grant from the State Planning Office, Page said. The grant also helped pay for a skid steer – similar to a small forklift – which can be used to move the bins, she said.

A second household hazardous waste grant for $7,000 paid for a small building to house mercury-containing objects, such as televisions, computers and some light bulbs, she said.

The transfer station is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. seven days a week. For information, contact Page at 794-2621.