Solid Waste & Recycling E-Newsletter |
- Data Report
- Did You Know?
- Juneteenth Holiday Schedule
- Independence Day Holiday Schedule
- Farmer's Market Highlight
- Solid Waste Master Plan Update
- What’s in the Cart?
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A quarterly update of some key Solid Waste programs.
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Recycling Stars Program - May 2022-May 2025
- Inspections done: 12,674
- Stars given: 6,657
- Improvement rate: 60%
- Orange County NC Recycles App - August 2022-May 2025
- App downloads: 3,656
- A-Z Guide searches: 107,084
- Collection reminders: 5,529
- Food Waste Diversion Program - January 2022-May 2025
- Pounds of food waste collected: 3,721,215
- Pounds of methane avoided: 387,007
- Pounds of CO2 avoided: 9,675,163
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Did you know 10% of the trash produced in Orange County is recyclable paper? Clean and dry paper, cartons and cardboard are all recyclable in curbside recycling and mixed recycling drop-off.
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Thursday, June 19, 2025: No recycling collection. Recycling collection will be delayed by one day this week. The Landfill/Disposal Centers, Waste and Recycling Centers, and Administrative Office will be closed.
*If your collection day falls on a County recognized holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day. For example, if a holiday falls on a Monday and your recycling is typically collected on Monday, it will instead be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday collection will move to Wednesday. Wednesday collection will move to Thursday. Thursday collection will move to Friday. Friday collection will move to Saturday.
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Friday, July 4, 2025: No recycling collection. Friday recycling will be collected on Saturday, July 5. The Landfill/Disposal Centers, Waste and Recycling Centers, and Administrative Office will be closed.
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Farmer's Market Highlight |
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One of the best ways to support your local community and shop sustainably is by visiting the local Farmer's Market. The three markets in Orange County, located in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, offer a wide variety of items from farmers and artisans around the area. Locally grown, in-season produce is fresh, nutrient-packed and has a lower carbon footprint.
Many of these fruits and vegetables are sold loose or in paper containers, cutting down on plastic waste. Artisans and craftsmen often use local ingredients and materials to make their products nearby.
In addition, Orange County offers free Food Waste Drop-Off at each of the markets on Saturdays. Composting your food scraps reduces landfill space, prevents greenhouse gas emissions, and improves soil quality and water retention. For information about locations, hours, and accepted materials, visit the Solid Waste website.
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Solid Waste Master Plan Update |
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The “Road to Zero Waste” Solid Waste Master Plan was reviewed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners at their June 4, 2025 meeting. The recording of the meeting is available to view on the Orange County website. Updates on the plan and next steps will be posted on the Solid Waste website.
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A monthly review of the most common and obscure findings in recycling carts.
As part of the Recycling Stars Program, Solid Waste staff evaluate curbside recycling carts to educate residents on proper recycling. The program’s goal is to improve the overall quality and quantity of recyclables collected from households around the County. Residents that recycle properly are awarded a star sticker. Residents also receive feedback on unaccepted items found in their recycling cart via a letter or ‘Oops’ tag attached to their cart. For more information on the Recycling Stars Program, please visit our website.
Some contaminants that inspectors have found recently:
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- Molded plastic packaging, like plastic packaging on toothbrushes, batteries, office supplies, and tools, is not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash.
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Gel ice packs are not accepted in curbside recycling and mixed recycling drop-off. Empty and dry plastic wrap and film can be taken to the Plastic Drop-Off at select Waste and Recycling Centers and local grocery stores.
- Waste reduction tip: Reuse ice packs for coolers and cold food storage.
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Ice cream cartons are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash.
- Waste reduction tip: Choose ice cream in plastic tubs that are recyclable.
- Coffee pods are not accepted in curbside recycling and mixed recycling drop-off.
- Waste reduction tip: Metal coffee pods can be emptied and recycled in the metal bins at the Waste and Recycling Centers. The coffee grounds can be composted or taken to the Food Waste Drop-Offs at the select Waste and Recycling Centers and county Farmer's Markets.
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Household glass, like wine glasses and drinking glasses, is not recyclable in Orange County.
- Waste reduction tip: Bring usable household glass products to local nonprofit thrift stores and donation centers.
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| Become a Better Recycler! |
Download our free app called Orange County NC Recycles in the Apple or Google Play Store where you can:
• Use the A-Z guide to find out the right way to dispose of your materials
• View the recycling collection calendar and receive reminders
• Learn about the Waste & Recycling Centers
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Follow Us on Social Media |
At Orange County NC Solid Waste on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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Can't Get Enough Trash Talk? |
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Listen to OC Solid Waste Representatives the second Tuesday of each month from 8:15 am to 8:45 am on the ‘3-D News’ on local radio WHUP 104.7 FM, over the air and streaming online. Visit this link to listen online. If you missed the show, you can listen online since shows are archived for a month after airing.
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1207 Eubanks Rd | Chapel Hill, NC 27516 US
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