Mulch on SALE!

50% OFF Mulch Sale now in progress for a limited time.
Orange County offers its locally produced high quality yard waste mulch for sale at the Orange County Disposal Center/Landfill for $12.50 for a three cubic yard scoop; that’s half off the regular price of $25 per scoop. The Disposal Center/Landfill at 1514 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill is open 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday and 8am to noon Saturday. We load, you tarp. Trucks and trailers only, no cars. Cash, check or credit/debit cards accepted.

Solid Waste Department now also offers delivery of mulch for $50 within 10 miles and $75 within 20 miles of the landfill disposal center. Six-scoop minimum. A site review is required before delivery. Call (919) 968-2788 or email recycling@orangecountync.gov

New Rules on Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste at the Waste and Recycling Centers

Beginning Monday August 3, 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 Eubanks Road, Ferguson Road, High Rock Road or Walnut Grove Church Road Waste and Recycling Centers. C&D is not accepted at the Bradshaw Quarry Road Center.

Updates to the website at http://www.orangecountync.gov/2476/Construction-Demolition-Waste are now on line to help you envision that amount and detail the other limits and requirements. Construction and demolition includes only: Kitchen cabinets, insulation, carpet/ flooring, Wood, solid sawn lumber e.g. 2”X4” 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. f

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.

Recent Feedback from the Public

Can I recycle flower pots?

No, the market for these types of plastics has disappeared due to low demand, low petroleum prices and difficulty in processing. Consider cleaning and sterilizing such pots and offering them to other gardeners.

I read recently that all pizza boxes can now be recycled, whereas, before you could accept only the clean top of the pizza boxes and we were encouraged to discard or compost the bottom with cheese or grease on it. What am I to do with my pizza boxes?

Currently, Orange County encourages you to continue to recycle all clean cardboard including the tops of pizza boxes but discard the bottom if it is greasy and cheesy. Those bottoms with very minimal amounts of grease or cheese may also be recycled. Always empty and flatten all cardboard boxes.

My k-cups box says I can recycle them once I dump out the coffee grounds. Is this so for us? Can I throw them in?

No, our processors cannot recycle K-cups or other similar products like those from other coffee makers. The “fine print” on the cartons says that they can be recycled only where facilities are available and directs you to their web page for more information. We do encourage the composting of coffee grounds, even though the cups cannot be recycled. Another way to reduce waste using the single cup coffee makers and save money is to use washable, reusable one-cup coffee grounds holders that fit into the Keurig type machines. Make sure to get one that fits your machine.

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. Those who now have bins may request a cart instead.
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 from 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.

Can’t get enough trash talk? Listen to us 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.