Solid Waste & Recycling E-Newsletter |
- Did You Know?
- The 5 "R's" of Waste Reduction
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Recycling and Facilities Schedule
- Orange County Ag Summit
- What’s in the Cart?
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The 5 "R's" of Waste Reduction |
Most people are familiar with "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle", but there are additional strategies that can be used for effective waste reduction. Here are five "R's" of waste management and examples of how to incorporate them:
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Refuse: Avoid purchasing or taking unnecessary items to keep them out of the waste stream in the first place.
- Example: Skip single-use plastics like straws, silverware, and drinkware.
- Reduce: Cut down on excess materials, especially those that are not recyclable or compostable.
- Example: Choose household goods like soap in bulk or in bar form to cut down on plastic use.
- Reuse: Continue to use materials for as long as possible and repair items already in use.
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Example: Use reusable bottles, mugs and containers to store drinks and food.
- Repurpose: Find new uses for items instead of disposing them.
- Example: Turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags and reusable bags.
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Recycle: Dispose of recyclable materials properly to be turned into new items.
- Example: Follow Orange County's Recycle Right guidelines to ensure items are recycled.
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For more information and additional tips on waste reduction, visit the Education and Outreach page on the Solid Waste website.
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Orange County and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension department are once again hosting the annual Agricultural 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 surrounding counties. There will be opportunities to learn and discuss trends and topics impacting the agricultural industry today.
The 2025 Ag Summit will take place on Monday, February 10th from 8am to 2pm at the Cedar Grove Community Center, located at 5800 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278. It is free to attend and provides a complimentary, locally sourced lunch. Register by February 7th at orangecountync.gov/agsummit.
Orange County Solid Waste will be tabling at the Ag Summit, and attendees can talk to the Education and Outreach Team about recycling and composting, as well as pick up some Solid Waste swag!
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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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- Toothpaste tubes are not recyclable in Orange County, even if they are labeled as recyclable. Please throw them away.
- Waste reduction tip: Try chewable toothpaste tablets that come in a jar that can be reused or recycled.
- String lights are not accepted in single stream/mixed recycling and are a tangler that can damage facility equipment. Broken string lights can be recycled in the Electronics Drop-Off at the Waste & Recycling Centers.
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Waste reduction tip: Replace broken bulbs and/or take them to a Repair Café to be fixed. Donate working string lights to nonprofit thrift stores and donation centers.
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Wood is not accepted in single stream/mixed recycling. Clean wood that is unpainted and untreated can be dropped off at the Waste & Recycling Centers. For more information on wood disposal, visit the Regulated Recyclable Material Ordinance page on the Solid Waste website.
- Waste reduction tip: Repurpose leftover wood for small DIY projects such as planter boxes and birdhouses.
- Plastic cups of any kind are not recyclable in Orange County and should be thrown away.
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Waste reduction tip: Skip single-use plastics and choose reusable or recyclable items.
- Paper towels are not recyclable and should be composted or thrown away. Paper towels can be composted at the Food Waste Drop-Off at select Waste & Recycling Centers and County Farmer's Markets.
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Waste reduction tip: Cut up old t-shirts and other unwearable clothing items to use as washable paper towels.
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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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