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.

24-Hour Food Waste Bins

Orange County Solid Waste is excited to offer six additional food waste drop-off bins for residents to keep their food waste from going to landfill. These bins can be accessed 24 hours per day, seven days per week at the following locations:

• Cedar Falls Park 24-Hour Recycling Drop Off site (401 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill)
• Hampton Pointe 24-Hour Recycling Drop Off site (625 Hampton Pointe Blvd, Hillsborough)
• Jones Ferry Park and Ride Lot 24-Hour Recycling Drop Off site (603 Berryhill Drive, Chapel Hill)
• Meadowmont 24-Hour Recycling Drop Off site (116 West Barbee Chapel Rd, Chapel Hill)
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1120 Hillsborough Rd, Chapel Hill)
• Eno River Farmers Market (144 E Margaret Ln, Hillsborough)

Residents must download the BigBelly Smart Compost application from the Apple Store or Google Play Store on a mobile device to unlock these bins and deposit their food scraps. The app will show the locations and availability of the six 24-hour food waste bins as well as what items are accepted at these sites.

Residents can continue to access the existing Food Waste Drop Off sites at three Waste and Recycling Centers and three farmers markets without use of the BigBelly Smart Compost app. Site hours vary by location.

View Food Waste Drop Off site locations and hours and learn more about the Food Waste Drop Off program on the Solid Waste website.

Did You Know?

Did you know that plastic seedling trays are NOT recyclable in curbside recycling carts or mixed recycling drop-off? Plastic seedling trays should be thrown away or reused.

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.

Memorial Day Holiday Schedule

Monday, May 25, 2026: 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.

Recycle Right – Construction and Demolition Waste

Recently staff have seen building materials and construction waste such as scrap wood and plumbing fixtures in recycling carts. As a reminder, construction and demolition waste cannot be put in curbside recycling carts or mixed recycling drop-offs. Orange County residents may bring up to 60 cubic feet of residential construction and demolition waste per household per day or weekend period from their primary residence to the Ferguson Rd, High Rock Rd, Walnut Grove Church Rd and Eubanks Rd Waste and Recycling Centers for disposal. Construction and demolition waste is not accepted at the Bradshaw Quarry location. Proof of residency required. Visit the Solid Waste website to learn more.

Mulch Sale Extended

Our mulch sale has been extended through May 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.

Skip the Bin, Turn Your Batteries In

Battery recycling is an important way to keep materials out of landfills and prevent truck and recycling facility fires. All types of batteries can be recycled at Orange County’s Waste and Recycling Centers. Make sure you’re disposing of your batteries correctly and in the right bins:

• Lithium, lithium-ion, and button batteries should ONLY be placed in receptacles labeled for lithium batteries to avoid fire hazard. SEPARATE AND TAPE the ends/terminals (if button cell, tape the entire battery), before bringing to the Waste and Recycling Centers.
• Lead-acid batteries (also known as wet-cell batteries), such as automobile and boat batteries, can be stacked on pallets located at each center. Please do not place lead-acid batteries in the dry-cell battery receptacle.
• Dry-cell batteries (also known as alkaline or zinc-carbon batteries), such as AA and AAA batteries, can be dropped off in labeled containers located at each center.

Batteries of ANY kind are NOT accepted in curbside recycling or mixed recycling drop-off. Lithium batteries are a fire hazard and should never be put in recycling carts or thrown away.

If you are unsure how to properly dispose of batteries at the Waste and Recycling Centers, please see a site attendant for assistance.

What’s in the Cart?

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 items that inspectors have found recently:

• Soil and mulch bags are not accepted in curbside recycling carts or mixed recycling drop-off.
  • Waste reduction tip: Clean and dry plastic bags can be recycled separately in the Plastic Bag and Film Drop Off at the Eubanks Rd. and Walnut Grove Church Rd. Waste and Recycling Centers.
• Swim goggles are not accepted in curbside recycling or mixed recycling drop-off.
• Styrofoam coolers are not accepted in curbside recycling or mixed recycling drop-off.
• Compostable plastics are not recyclable or compostable in Orange County. Compostable plastics must be thrown away or reused.
  • Waste reduction tip: Consider using reusable utensils or compostable bamboo utensils. Bamboo utensils can be brought to Orange County Food Waste Drop Off sites for composting.
• Garden hoses and nozzles are not accepted in curbside recycling carts or mixed recycling drop-off. Working garden hoses and nozzles should be donated to a local thrift store or the Orange County Salvage Sheds. Garden hoses and nozzles that do not work should be repaired or thrown away. Nozzles made of metal can be recycled in the scrap metal bins at Waste and Recycling Centers.

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.

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