February 2024

Did You Know?

Orange County recently added a Food Waste Drop-Off site at the High Rock Rd. Waste & Recycling Center. Orange County residents can bring household food waste to the High Rock Rd., Eubanks Rd., and Walnut Grove Church Rd. Waste & Recycling Centers. The Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Eno River Farmers Markets also accept household food waste from Orange County residents (on Saturdays only).

Visit orangecountync.gov/FoodWaste for more information on Food Waste Drop-Off sites and accepted materials.

The recyclability of plastics in Orange County is not based on the resin code number found on plastic items. Instead, Orange County focuses on the shape to determine if a plastic item is recyclable. Plastic items in the shapes of bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars are accepted in Orange County. If a plastic item cannot be classified as one of these shapes, please do not recycle it in curbside/single-stream recycling.

Numbers can be misleading because not all items with a number on them are recyclable in Orange County. For example, plastic clamshells are a #1 plastic, but they are not accepted in Orange County single-stream/curbside recycling. Water bottles are also a #1 plastic, and they are accepted. Therefore, classifying all #1’s as acceptable can create confusion and cause contamination. Refer to the four shapes – bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars – to determine if you can recycle a plastic item.

How are the different shapes defined?

Do you live in an apartment, townhome, or condominium that has a communal recycling site for residents? If so, your complex could be eligible for Orange County’s Multi-Family Housing Bag Program.

The program provides free reusable tote bags to help residents collect and carry their recyclables to their communal recycling site. Since plastic bags are not accepted in single-stream recycling, this program offers residents a convenient and sustainable way to participate in the County’s single-stream recycling program.

The reusable tote bags are printed with Orange County’s recycling guidelines in English and Spanish and have handles on the top and bottom to help carry and empty the bags (see pictures below).

If you live in or work with a multi-family housing complex and are interested in learning how your community can join the program, please contact Orange County Solid Waste Management at (919) 968-2788 or recycling@orangecountync.gov.

Plastic bags, film, and wrap are not accepted in curbside/single-stream recycling. However, instead of sending these materials to a landfill, residents can bring them to Eubanks Rd. or Walnut Grove Church Rd. Waste & Recycling Centers and dispose of them in the Plastic Bags & Film drop-off. Select stores, such as grocery stores, also offer plastic bag and film drop-off.

Plastic Bag & Film drop-offs accept flexible polyethylene-based plastics, including grocery and produce bags, bread bags, plastic stretch wraps, newspaper bags, plastic mailers with compatible label, wraps around paper products (paper towels, diapers, etc.), cereal bags, and air pillows. These items are recycled into plastic pellets and are used for synthetic lumber in decking or park benches. They can also be recycled directly into another film, pouch, or bag.

However, the best option is to avoid plastic bags, film, and wrap where possible! Bring reusable bags to the store, use reusable produce bags, and opt for reusable food containers instead of plastic baggies and cling wrap.

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 and are entered into a raffle if they receive two or more stars. 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:

Each year, Orange County and its North Carolina Cooperative Extension department host the Ag Summit. The Ag Summit is a one-day seminar bringing together farmers, suppliers, government officials, and other specialists to explore the state of farming in Orange County and contiguous counties. Discussions center on topics and trends that are impacting the agricultural industry.

The 2024 Ag Summit is on Monday, February 19th from 8 AM to 2 PM at the Cedar Grove Community Center, located at 5800 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278. The Ag Summit is free to attend and provides a complimentary, locally sourced lunch. Register at orangecountync.gov/AgSummit.

Orange County Solid Waste will be tabling at the Ag Summit. Attendees can learn and talk to the Education and Outreach Team about recycling, composting, and other opportunities provided by the Solid Waste Department, as well as pick up some Solid Waste SWAG!

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

At Orange County NC Solid Waste on Facebook, Instagram, and X. 

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. 

Orange County Solid Waste Management

orangecountync.gov/recycling

recycling@orangecountync.gov

(919) 968-2788