Solid Waste & Recycling E-Newsletter |
- Did You Know?
- Memorial Day Schedule
- Food Waste Diversion Stars
- Spring Cleaning: Know your Household Hazardous Waste
- Compostable Plastics Update
- Compost Bin Sales
- Orange County Clothing and Art Supply Swap
- What’s in the Cart?
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Did you know 27% of what Orange County residents throw away is food scraps that can be composted? Consider ways to prevent wasted food at home, such as planning your meals before going grocery shopping and labeling leftovers with the date you made them.
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Monday, May 26, 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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The Food Waste Diversion Stars Program recognizes businesses that participate in the Orange County-supported Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program as environmental and community stewards.
In 2024, Food Waste Stars diverted 1,197,985.10 pounds of food waste and other organics for composting. Businesses that were members of the program in 2024 received a Food Waste Star sticker and are encouraged to display the sticker on their window or inside their business for the public to see.
Want to become a Food Waste Diversion Star? Orange County area businesses can email recycling@orangecountync.gov to find out if they are eligible.
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As you’re spring cleaning this season, be sure to follow proper disposal and recycling guidelines. Many common household products including weed killers, patio cleaners, and even everyday bathroom sprays are considered household hazardous waste. Even if the containers are empty, never place them in your curbside recycling cart.
Orange County residents should take household hazardous waste items to the Eubanks Road or Walnut Grove Church Road Waste & Recycling Center. Look for the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off sign and be prepared to show proof of Orange County residency.
Not sure if any item is considered household hazardous waste? Use the Orange County A to Z Waste and Recycle guide to seach for your item and find out how to properly get rid of your items.
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Compostable Plastics Reminder |
As a reminder, Orange County Solid Waste no longer accepts 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 contractual compost facility, “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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Spring is a great time to start your backyard composting journey. Orange County is pleased to offer kitchen top compost bins ($5*) and backyard composters ($50*) for sale to Orange County residents.
*Prices as of May 2025, prices subject to change.
To schedule an appointment, please call (919) 968-2788 or email recycling@orangecountync.gov. For more information visit the Compost Bins For Sale page on the Solid Waste website.
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Clothing and Art Supply Swap |
Spring cleaning your closet? Bring gently used clothing and art supplies to swap for something new to you! Or just stop by to take what you need on Saturday, May 17 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Eno Arts Mill at 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd, #17, Hillsborough.
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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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- Lawn and garden chemical bottles must be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off site at either Eubanks Road or Walnut Grove Church Road Waste and Recycling Center. These containers cannot be recycled curbside, even if they are empty.
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Plastic and bubble-lined mailers are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. The only plastics that are accepted in Orange County’s curbside recycling program are plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs.
- Waste reduction tip: Save bubble mailers for future mailing use.
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Plastic clamshells are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. The only plastics that are accepted in Orange County’s curbside recycling program are plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs.
- Waste reduction tip: Buy loose produce to avoid purchasing clamshells.
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Contact lens cases are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. The only plastics that are accepted in Orange County’s curbside recycling program are plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs.
- Waste reduction tip: Some eye doctors may take these items back. Contact your eye care provider for more information.
- Plant pots are not recyclable. Plastic plant pots and trays can be brought to the Rigid Plastics drop-offs at the Waste and Recycling Centers.
- Waste reduction tip: Some garden centers may take these items back or you can give them away for free on an online marketplace.
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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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