New Recycling Schedule Mailed for 2020-2021

For those living outside Town limits in Orange County, you should have received a calendar card mailing from Orange County Solid Waste with your 2020-21 recycling schedule for every-other-week set out.  This brightly colored, large postcard also provides information on how to recycle right.  If you have not received a card, pleases let us know along with your complete street address and mailing address (if different) and we will mail you one.  Or view the schedule on line. www.orangecountync.gov/recycling  and look up by your address.https://www.orangecountync.gov/1026/Rural-Curbside-Every-Other-Week.

Declare Your Independence from Waste

For your holiday picnics or festivities, declare your independence from waste by making sure you have a recycling bin for empty cans and bottles.  Compost any uneaten food, used napkins and other uncoated paper – like the flimsy, white paper plates, by bringing them to the food waste collection carts at either the Eubanks Road or Walnut Grove Church Road Waste and Recycling Center during operating hours (closed 7/4 but open 7/5  1pm to 6pm. Or, where possible, put vegetable or fruit food scraps in your backyard compost.  Reduce waste by using washable cups, plates and utensils for smaller gatherings. You can also recycle any clean and crumpled aluminum foil and trays at the scrap metal bins at the Waste and Recycling Centers.

New Rules for Construction Waste
at the Waste and Recycling Centers

Beginning Monday August 3, Waste and Recycling Centers (other than Bradshaw Quarry) will accept construction and demolition waste that residents bring from only their own primary place of residence in amounts of less than sixty (60) cubic feet,  once per day or weekend time period.  Updates to the website will be made to help you envision that amount and detail the other limits and requirements. Construction and demolition includes only:  Kitchen cabinets, insulation, carpet/ flooring, Wood, 2X4 or plywood/pressed board /painted/stained/pressure treated , doors, windows, siding, Deconstructed playground set made of lumber, decks, stairs , bathroom toilets, sinks, concrete, bricks, cinder blocks, sheetrock , tile  and shingles.    Proof of residency will be required before offloading the material and you will be required to separate scrap metal, clean wood, and corrugated cardboard for recycling at the Centers before disposing construction waste in the designated new containers.

As of July 1st (not August 3rd), the tipping fee for Construction and Demolition Waste at the Landfill/Disposal Center will change from $40 per ton to $42 per ton or part thereof. The fee for pickup trucks or trailers less than 10 feet, carrying less than 1,000 pounds, will remain $22.

Recent Feedback from the Public

Q1: Will Orange County be holding its semi-annual Shred-A-Thons again?

A1: We have not determined when we will again hold the shredding events for confidential paper or when the County’s shredding operation for smaller amount of paper will reopen.


Q2: In the past, Orange County wanted us to recycle all plastic bottles AND those plastics that are not bottles with the #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) and #5 (PP).  Your recent mailers have an alternate description for recycling plastics. What rules for plastics recycling are we to follow now?

A2: The markets have shifted for plastics and Orange County is also coordinating our recycling messaging with governments throughout the Triangle region, so we have moved generally away from the number system towards a shapes-based system of describing what is accepted. This means that now all bottles (neck smaller than base), tubs (e.g. dairy product containers), jugs (e.g. milk jugs) and jars (e.g. sauces) are acceptable provided they are empty and rinsed. No pumps or sprayers. No containers that held hazardous wastes or motor oil. 

The exception to the not-using-numbering rule is that Orange County can now accept the #1 PETE clamshell type plastics that usually held produce like lettuce or berries, if they’re clear, clean and empty. That is because our processor now owns a facility that uses them in making new clamshell type containers.  Labels are OK, but do remove absorbent pads.

Recycling During the Pandemic

• Never put any gloves, masks or other PPE in your recycling cart or into any other recycling receptacle.  Gloves cannot be recycled with plastic bags. 
• Orange County will not be collecting recyclables from the 18 gallon bins until further notice, except from Special Collection Route customers who have been approved and currently receive this service. 
• Salvage sheds remain closed at all the Waste and Recycling Centers until further notice.
• When using the Waste and Recycling Centers, please maintain a safe physical distance with staff and other customers and, at these difficult times, maintain your respect for all those working at the centers as they respect you as County residents. Remain in your vehicle until the bin that you need is available.