Solid Waste & Recycling E-Newsletter |
- Did You Know?
- Easter Holiday Schedule
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Shred-A-Thon Reminder
- Compostable Plastics Update
- Waste Sort Results
- Mulch and Compost Sales
- What’s in the Cart?
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Compostable Plastics Update |
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Orange County Solid Waste is no longer accepting compostable plastics in the food waste drop-offs and commercial food waste diversion program. This includes all plastic bags and plastic products labeled “compostable”, even if they are BPI-certified. According to Brooks Contractor, the County’s current compost provider, “Compostable plastics pose a challenge to our unique composting process. We have chosen to phase them out in order to achieve a higher quality in the finished compost.”
The updated list of accepted items is available on the Solid Waste website.
Instead of using compostable plastic products, choose non-coated fiber, paper, or 100% bamboo products free of plastics and PFAS coatings, but the best option is to switch to reusables. Here are some examples of swaps that can be made:
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Use a reusable compost bucket instead of a compostable bag. Kitchen countertop bins are available for purchase from Solid Waste. Visit the website for more information.
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Use reusable serving ware instead of compostable or plastic silverware. The Fork-It-Over Program loans out sets of stainless steel silverware at no cost! Visit the Solid Waste website for more information.
- Use reusable cups and bottles instead of single-use cups.
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In November 2024, Orange County Solid Waste sponsored a waste sort of municipal solid waste from the Orange County Waste and Recycling Centers, County Government buildings and schools, and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. Items found in the waste collected were sorted based on their material stream, such as magazines, aluminum cans, food waste, batteries and textiles.
These are the findings from the sort:
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- Potential compostables (including food waste and other compostable materials): 42.4%
- Program recyclables (including all single-stream/mixed recyclables): 18.1%
- Potential recoverables (including textiles/leather, scrap metal, and batteries): 15.3%
- All other materials: 24.1%
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The results of this municipal solid waste composition study show that there are many materials going into landfills that can and should be diverted. The largest percentage of these is food waste and compostables. When landfilled, food waste releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Food waste collection and diversion reduces those greenhouse gases, saves landfill space, and can be used to create nutrient rich compost.
Orange County has many diversion programs available to residents, including food waste drop-off, curbside recycling collection, and clothing, textile, and shoe drop-off. When disposing of an item, be sure to check the A-Z Guide on the website and in the Orange County NC Recycles app to find out if there is a better place for it than the landfill.
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Spring is a great time to apply mulch around your yard and add compost to your garden and plant beds. Orange County Solid Waste offers mulch and compost for sale in person at the Orange County Landfill and delivery for a fee.
Mulch is $25* for 3 cubic yards and is loaded into a truck or trailer. Grade A compost is $40* for 1 cubic yard or $6* for a 1 cubic foot bag.
*Prices as of April 2025, prices subject to change.
For more information, visit the Mulch and Compost page on the 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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- Hoses are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. Hoses and other cords and wires are major tanglers that can damage sorting equipment and put workers at risk.
- Plants and flowers are not recyclable and should be composted or thrown in the trash.
- Waste reduction tip: Small indoor plants, trimmings, and flowers can be taken to the Food Waste Drop-Offs at select Waste and Recycling Centers and county Farmer's Markets.
- Toys are not recyclable and should be donated or thrown in the trash.
- Waste reduction tip: Take unwanted toys to local nonprofit donation centers and thrift stores or the Salvage Sheds (no stuffed animals).
- Face masks are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash.
- Soil bags are not accepted in single-stream/mixed recycling.
- Waste reduction tip: Clean soil bags that are made of stretchy plastic film can be taken to the Plastic Film Drop-Offs at select Waste and Recycling Centers, where they will be recycled into composite decking.
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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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