Solid Waste E-news:  February 2021

• Composting 101 Webinars
• Resident Recycling Questions & Answers
• A Local Effort to Donate Single-Use Cutlery
• Mulch HALF OFF! and Compost for Sale

Composting 101 Webinars

If you’re interested in learning more about how to start composting and the options available in Orange County, sign up for one of the upcoming webinars. Solid Waste Education and Outreach Coordinator, Kyra Levau, will be discussing the importance of composting, various types of composting bins, maintaining a pile, and using finished compost. In addition to backyard composting, Kyra will go over other options for composting such as various food-waste drop off sites and local compost collection services.

Sign up for a webinar here. If you are unable to attend the webinars due to schedule conflicts, please email klevau@orangecountync.gov with suggestions on times for future webinars. 

Resident Recycling Questions & Answers

Q: Can I recycle non-stick pans, aka ‘Teflon’ pans?

A: Yes, but ONLY in the scrap metal containers at the staffed Waste and Recycling Centers. Do NOT put non-stick pans in your blue recycling cart. If the pan is still in usable condition, consider donating it.


Q: Can I recycle my Nespresso™ pods?

A: Yes, you can recycle your pods but ONLY in the scrap metal containers at the staffed Waste and Recycling Centers; collect the pods in an aluminum or steel can and bring them to be recycled with scrap metal at the Waste and Recycling Centers. You can put other small scrap metal items like nails, screws or bottles caps in the can too. Try to crimp the can shut if possible so the little pieces do not fall out and get lost during the process. Do not put them in your blue recycling cart. 

A Local Effort to Donate Single-Use Utensils

Most people have ordered take-out from a restaurant and come home with a lot of single-use plastic items, such as utensil packets, sauce containers, straws, and take-out containers. The utensil packets (and maybe the sauce) ends up in a drawer and forgotten about or ends up in the trash. In a survey conducted in the Triangle region, results showed that 87% of respondents reported that they did not use the plastic utensils provided with their to-go meal.

Kaley Cross is the founder of Rooted Reuse and a member of Towards Zero Waste, a nonprofit organization in NC dedicated to promoting waste-conscious living through education & inspiration. Kaley responded to an individual’s post in a local ‘Buy Nothing’ group on Facebook who was trying to pass on some individually wrapped plastic utensil packets and knew an organization in need of some to use for their free meal-distribution events. She took advantage of this opportunity and expanded the offer to those in her community that had extra utensil packets. Kaley set up a drop-off point in front of Green4Life in Cary, NC and was stationed outside collecting utensils one Saturday morning for two hours. In those two hours, she collected over 10,000 individually wrapped utensil packets, which equates to approximately 228 pounds of plastic. The majority of the utensils were donated to Food Not Bombs, an organization that provides free meals to those in need.

Kaley said she hopes people will use this story as a reminder for those to reduce single-use plastic usage when possible, and to motivate individuals and businesses to push for an ‘opt-in’ policy for distributing cutlery, condiment packets, napkins, and straws. With an ‘Opt-In’ policy, a business would provide individuals with the option to select what ‘extras’ they want, if any, when ordering food rather than automatically being given all the ‘extras’. Not only would this prevent unnecessary single-use plastics from entering the waste-stream, but can save restaurants and business owners money by cutting costs.

If you are a restaurant or business owner, please contact our department if you’d like any assistance in reducing and recycling waste created at your establishment. If you are a resident, take action in your personal life and community to reduce single-use plastics. 

Mulch and Compost for Sale

Until Feburary 27th, mulch is 50% off at the landfill. $12.50 per three cubic yard scoop or we deliver any size load for a delivery fee plus the cost of mulch. Compost, for $30 per cubic yard, is selling fast - call ahead if you are intersted in buying compost. Check our website for details. 

Each scoop of mulch is approximately 3 cubic yards/1200 pounds.  For the mulch available for pick-up at the Orange County Landfill, 1514 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill:

• Mulch is available only in bulk.
• We load your truck or trailer.
• You must tarp your load securely before leaving the landfill.
• The mulch is available during landfill operating hours of 7am -4pm Monday - Friday and 8am to 12noon Saturdays.  You must arrive at least 15 minutes before closing time.

Can't Get Enough Trash Talk?

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.