LIVERMORE FALLS — The town converted its recycling system to a single-stream operation on Thursday. 

Single-stream recycling means that instead of separating recyclables into their own individual containers, glass, metal, paper, cardboard and plastic can be combined into one container, according to ecomaine. The town has a three-year agreement with the nonprofit regional waste disposal and recycling operation.

Despite months of preparations, not all of the equipment needed is online and functioning at the transfer station.

The town’s two new compactors for trash and recyclables are in the state but won’t be installed until Central Maine Power Co. installs two poles and extends the three-phase power from the gate into the site that is needed to operate them, Public Works Foreman Bill Nichols said Thursday.

“I started working on this in January to make sure it gets done by July 1,” Nichols said. He has no control of other factors, he said.

The containers that will be connected to the compactors have been at the station since May. The compactors were ordered in April, he said. CMP was expected to install the poles and extend the line last week, Nichols said.

Jay has extended the agreement with the town to allow the trash containers to be hauled there until the compactors are installed, he said.

Residents, however, will be able to bring recyclables in the same bag or container and dump them into a set bay at the Livermore Falls Transfer Station, Nichols said.

They also may still sort the recyclables into the other bays as usual until the compactors are installed, he said.

The recyclable items include all plastic containers labeled Nos. 1-7, foil, cans, pots and pans, empty aerosol cans, any color empty glass bottles, jars, all cardboard boxes, newspapers, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, window envelopes.

Also, phone books, file folders, gift boxes, gift wrap, shopping bags, all books and aseptic milk and juice cartons.

Items not allowed to be recycled in the same container are light bulbs, hypodermic needles or sharp objects, vinyl siding, bubble wrap, food, toys, food bags, potato chip bags, diapers, foam/polystyrene packaging and peanuts or trash.

Other items not allowed because of the need for special handling are hazardous waste that includes fuel, antifreeze, oil-based paints, paint thinners, stain, fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals.

Also universal waste products not allowed to be recycled in the same container include mercury in thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights, televisions, computers and button-cell batteries.

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