January 2026

Did you know that cookie and biscuit tins are NOT recyclable in blue recycling carts or single-stream recycling at drop-off sites? Residents can bring clean cookie and biscuit tins to the scrap metal containers at Waste & Recycling Centers for separate recycling. 

Wondering how to dispose of a specific item? Download the Orange County NC Recycles app or use the A-Z guide on the website to search for materials and their disposal options.

Bad weather is more common during the winter. Be sure you know where to find updates about Orange County Solid Waste delays, closures, and service changes.

Weather-related alerts and other service updates will be posted on the Solid Waste website homepage and on the Inclement Weather page in the "About" section. Updates will also be shared through the Orange County NC Recycles app.

Monday, January 19: No recycling collection. Recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. The Landfill/Disposal Center, Waste and Recycling Centers, and Administrative Offices will be closed.

Our mulch sale has been extended through January 31, 2026. Mulch is available for $20 per 3-cubic yard scoop, which is 50% off the regular price.

Mulch and compost (sold at regular price) can be purchased at the Orange County Landfill, located at 1514 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

We also deliver mulch and compost. Delivery costs are $75 within 10 miles and $95 from 11 miles up to a maximum of 20 miles.

For more information visit the Solid Waste website or call 919-968-2788.

Orange County Solid Waste offers free, secure document shredding at the Shred Center and at Shred-a-Thon events held twice a year. These services are available to Orange County residents and small businesses, as well as to employees and departments of the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough.

The Shred Center is available by appointment only. Dates for the spring Shred-a-Thon will be shared soon.

Important Reminder

Receipt paper is not accepted at the Shred Center or at Shred-a-Thon events. Most receipts are coated with chemicals that can damage other paper when shredded and interfere with proper recycling. Please remove all receipt paper from your documents before bringing them to the Shred Center or to a Shred-a-Thon event.

What We Accept

The Shred Center and Shred-a-Thons accept confidential documents only, such as:

What We DO NOT Accept

Please do not bring these items for shredding:

New Food Waste Drop-Off sites are coming soon! In the next few months, Orange County Solid Waste will add new food waste collection at locations around the county. These bins will be available for Orange County residents to use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Details about the bin locations and how to use them will be shared in the E-News, social media, and Solid Waste website.

A monthly review of the most common and interesting items found in recycling carts.

As part of the Recycling Stars Program, Solid Waste staff check curbside recycling carts to help residents learn how to recycle correctly. The goal of the program is to improve both the quality and amount of recyclables collected from homes around the County. Residents who recycle correctly earn a star sticker on their cart. If unaccepted items are found, residents receive feedback through a letter with an “Oops” tag attached to their cart. For more information on the Recycling Stars Program, please visit our website.

Some unaccepted that inspectors have found recently:

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