The Waste Line: A Guest Column From Orange County Solid Waste Management

GUEST COLUMNS

Welcome to the Waste Line

The Waste Line is a monthly column from Orange County Solid Waste Management. Each issue shares useful updates on recycling, trash, and composting, along with tips and news to help residents manage waste responsibly and stay informed.

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Did You Know?

Did you know that paper juice boxes and milk cartons are recyclable? Remove and throw away the straw before you recycle your juice box.

Wondering if you can recycle a specific item? Download the Orange County NC Recycles app or use the A-Z guide on the Solid Waste website to search for what you can and cannot recycle.

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Labor Day Recycling & Facilities Schedule

Monday, September 1: 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.

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Shred-a-Thon Dates Announced

Bring your confidential documents for FREE & SAFE destruction and recycling. Orange County residents (including Chapel Hill in Durham County), small businesses and local government employees only.

Chapel Hill

Date: Saturday, September 6

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (or until capacity is met)

Location: Eubanks Park & Ride Lot — 1768 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Hillsborough

Date: Wednesday, September 17

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (or until capacity is met)

Location: Walnut Grove Church Rd. Waste & Recycling Center — 3605 Walnut Grove Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Guidelines for all events

• You must handle your own paper.
• Paper must be in clear plastic bags, paper bags, reusable bags, (up to 13 gal) or boxes (no larger than banker or file storage box). No black trash bags.
• Limit of 4 bags or boxes.
• One trip per household or organization.
• Confidential paper only. No newspaper, receipts, junk mail, magazines, or catalogs.
• No plastic or metal binders, plastic folders, plastic notebook covers, large metal clips, notebook rings, credit cards, or electronic media.

For more information about the events, visit the calendar on the Solid Waste website.

Attend a Recycle Right Workshop

Join Orange County Solid Waste for a FREE workshop to learn all about recycling right in Orange County. Register to attend the workshop at orangecountync.gov/RecycleRightAugust25

Date: Monday, August 25

Times: 10 to 11:30 am OR 6:30 to 8 pm.

Location: Solid Waste Administration Building – 1207 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle During Back-to-School

Here are a few tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste this back-to-school season:

• Avoid packing lunches in single-use plastic bags or plastic wrap. Instead, use reusable bags and paper towels or napkins that can be composted.
• Before buying new supplies, check what items from the previous year can be reused. Things like backpacks, lunch boxes, binders, and scissors can often be used for multiple school years.
• Consider donating clothing to local nonprofits or the textile centers at the Eubanks, Walnut Grove and High Rock Waste and Recycling Centers for reuse. Wearable and unwearable clothing can be taken to the Centers. Unwearable items are recycled into rags. All items must be clean, unsoiled, and placed in bags before dropping them off.

What’s in the Cart?

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 the Solid Waste website.

Some contaminants that inspectors have found recently:

• Hard plastic drink rings are not recyclable and should be put in the trash.
  • Waste reduction tip: Some breweries may take hard plastic drink rings back from customers. Stretchy plastic rings should be put in the trash.
• Cigarette butts are not recyclable and should be put in the trash.
• Diapers are not recyclable and should be put in the trash.
• Lightbulbs are not recyclable in curbside or drop-off recycling. Instead, bring CFL lightbulbs (those with a swirly or spiral lightbulb) and fluorescent tubes to a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off for proper disposal. LED and halogen lightbulbs may be put in the trash.
• Zip ties are not recyclable and should be put in the trash. 

About the Author

The Orange County Solid Waste Management Department operates the Orange County Integrated Solid Waste Management facility, which contains the Construction and Demolition Landfill, Regulated Material Recycling, and Mulch and Compost Sales. The Department also manages five Solid Waste and Recycling Centers, including two with Household Hazardous Waste and three with Food Waste drop-offs, and the County’s comprehensive Recycling Collection Programs for residential and commercial entities. For questions or comments, please email recycling@orangecountync.gov.

Follow us on social media @ocncsolidwaste on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

*Disclaimer:

This content is an advertorial provided by the advertiser. It is intended to inform, engage, or promote a product or service and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or endorsements of the editorial staff at The Local Reporter. For questions or inquiries regarding this content, please contact the advertiser directly.

About the Author

The Orange County Solid Waste Management Department operates the Orange County Integrated Solid Waste Management facility, which contains the Construction and Demolition Landfill, Regulated Material Recycling, and Mulch and Compost Sales. The Department also manages five Solid Waste and Recycling Centers, including two with Household Hazardous Waste and three with Food Waste drop-offs, and the County’s comprehensive Recycling Collection Programs for residential and commercial entities. For questions or comments, please email recycling@orangecountync.gov.

*Disclaimer:

This content is an advertorial provided by the advertiser. It is intended to inform, engage, or promote a product or service and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or endorsements of the editorial staff at The Local Reporter. For questions or inquiries regarding this content, please contact the advertiser directly.