Solid Waste & Recycling E-Newsletter |
- Did You Know?
- Delayed Opening – Sept. 19th
- Fall Shred-A-Thon (Hillsborough Changes)
- How to Recycle Plastic Bags & Film
- What’s in the Cart?
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Chip bags and other bags/wrappers made of or lined with foil are not recyclable. These items are not accepted in the plastic bag/film drop-offs either. Please dispose of chip bags and similar items in the trash.
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Delayed Opening - Sept. 19th |
Fall Shred-A-Thon (Hillsborough Changes) |
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The Hillsborough Shred-A-Thon has a new location. The Hillsborough Shred-A-Thon will be at the Walnut Grove Church Road Waste & Recycling Center located at 3605 Walnut Grove Church Rd., Hillsborough, NC 27278 on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, from 10am – 2pm. Gates will open at 9:45am. Please do not block the roadways.
The Walnut Grove Church Road Waste & Recycling Center will only be open for the Shred-A-Thon. No others materials may be dropped off and no additional services will be available at the Center on the day of the event.
The location and timing of the Hillsborough Shred-A-Thon is changing due to safety concerns and other challenges related to the previous location behind the Home Depot.
The Chapel Hill Shred-A-Thon is on Saturday October 5th, 2024, from 10am – 2 pm at the Eubanks Park and Ride lot, located at 1768 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
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- Orange County residents, small businesses, and local government employees only (including Chapel Hill in Durham County). One trip per household or organization.
- Confidential paper only.
- Drive-Thru service only. You must handle your own paper.
- Paper must be in clear plastic bags, paper bags, reusable bags, (up to 13 gal) or boxes (no larger than banker box). No black trash bags.
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Limit 4 bags/boxes.
- Pre-shredded paper is no longer accepted even if it is enclosed in a bag.
- No newspaper, receipts, junk mail, magazines, or catalogs. No plastic or metal binders, plastic folders, plastic notebook covers, large metal clips, notebook rings, credit cards, or electronic media. Staples and paper clips are accepted.
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As a reminder, shredded paper is not accepted in curbside recycling or at single-stream recycling drop-offs. If you shred paper at home, throw away or compost the material.
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How to Recycle Plastic Bags & Film |
Residents cannot recycle plastics bags and film in their curbside recycling cart or in the single-stream recycling containers at drop-off centers. Plastic bags and film get caught in machinery and can damage equipment, pose safety risks to employees at material sorting facilities, and reduce facility efficiency. Orange County recommends residents reduce their use of plastic bags and film by bringing reusable bags to the store, buying loose produce, and storing food in reusable containers.
If residents have plastic bags/film, they are encouraged to bring these materials to one of the County’s drop-off locations to reduce landfill waste. Collect and bring acceptable plastic bags and film to the Eubanks Road or Walnut Grove Church Road Waste & Recycling Centers. Orange County contracts with a company that recycles these materials into composite decking.
See the list below to learn about what can and cannot be brought Orange County’s plastic bag/film drop-off locations.
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- Produce bags
- Store bags
- Ice bags
- Ziploc/resealable bags
- Cereal box liners
- Case overwrap (i.e., wrapping over water bottles, toilet paper, and paper towels)
- Bread bags
- Newspaper sleeves
- Dry cleaning bags
- Bubble wrap
- Plastic e-commerce mailers
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- Frozen food bags
- Candy bar wrappers
- Chip bags
- Net or mesh produce bags
- Mulch or soil bags
- Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
- Pre-washed salad or salad mix bags
- Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
- Pre-washed salad mix bags
- Pet food bags
- Hot dog or meat wrap packaging
- Six-pack rings
- PPE- Gloves, masks, or protective wear
- Pool covers
- Lamination film
- Silage and hay bags
- Backyard ice rinks
- Vinyl shower curtains or tablecloths
- Bedding or linen packaging
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Shiny, crinkly films like floral wrap
- Other bags/film that are not stretchy
- Other crinkly or crunchy bags/film
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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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Pet food bowls are not recyclable. Pet food bowls can be donated to a local thrift store. Plastic and metal dog food bowls that are clean and in working condition can also be brought to the Orange County Salvage Sheds.
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Coffee creamer pods are not accepted in your curbside cart because they are too small. Please throw them away.
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Waste Reduction Tip: Buy coffee creamer jugs or cartons, which are recyclable. Empty and rinse containers before recycling.
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Coffee filters are not recyclable, but they are compostable. Compost them in a backyard compost pile or dispose of them at one of the County’s food waste drop-off sites.
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Waste Reduction Tip: Switch to a reusable coffee filter.
- Zip ties are not recyclable. These items must be thrown away.
- Waste Reduction Tip: Use bungee cords, reusable zip ties, or Velcro cable cords.
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Straws and straw wrappers are not recyclable. Paper products must be larger than a business card to be recycled in your curbside cart or at single-stream recycling drop-offs.
- Waste Reduction Tip: Skip the straw! Ask restaurants not to give you straws. If you want to use a straw, try reusable metal or glass straws.
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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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