The Wareham Recycling Center has expanded its services to include proper disposal of flags, the sale of compost bins, and the exchange of old mercury thermostats for new digital units.

Located in East Wareham, off Maple Springs Road, across from the Route 25 exit ramp, the center has long been a drop-off point for cans, bottles, plastics (Numbers 1-5), newspapers, magazines, and mixed office paper. Over the years, it has expanded to take in a range of other materials, some for a small fee.

The center's latest programs include:

-- Acceptance of old American flags for proper, respectful disposal.

-- Compost bins for sale at half of retail price. Two sizes are available: 11 cubic feet, holds about three large bags of leaves or other material, for $46; 30 cubic feet, holds about 10 large bags of leaves or other material, for $53.

-- Exchange of old thermostats containing mercury for new digital units. Subsidized by SEMASS, the program works by letting anyone buy a new digital unit (a $30 retail value) for $10. Return of an old mercury-bearing thermostat earns a $5 credit. For anyone unsure about whether an old unit contains mercury, recycling coordinator Marilyn Field describes the mercury-bearing units as "the round ones."

The program is similar to the center's medical thermometer program. Also subsidized by SEMASS, that program allows anyone to swap an old, glass, mercury thermometer for a new digital one as an even exchange.

Field notes that the center is also looking for volunteers to help recyclers unload their cars and properly sort recyclables. She and current volunteers describe it is a social opportunity as much as work.

"You meet the nicest people at the recycling center!" says long-time volunteer and Recycling Committee treasurer Jack Dixon.

Overseen by the town Recycling Committee and partially funded by the town, the Recycling Center is almost 50% funded by the proceeds from returnable bottles and cans dropped off by recyclers.

How about the cash generated by the sale of recyclable materials? It's pretty much a wash, according to Dixon. At today's materials prices, he says there is a little money to be made on newsprint and tin, and a little money to be lost on plastics and glass.

Staffed by volunteers, the center is open Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. It is open to all recyclers, with no town sticker required.

For more information, call 508-291-6520, e-mail Field at maefield@comcast.net, or go to the town's recycling website.