The Southeast Recycling Development Council on Oct. 19 awarded Orange County Solid Waste the Public Recycling Champion Award for its Recycling Stars initiative. The Recycling Stars program is an individual education program designed to improve the quality of comingled recycling and reduce contamination in residential curbside recycling carts.
The program educates residents on the materials acceptable in curbside carts and which materials should be otherwise disposed through an intensive cart inspection program. Residents recycling correctly receive recycling stars and raffle entries. To date, the program has resulted in improvement in 59 percent of inspected curbside recycling carts.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, which had provided a $15,000 grant to support starting the Stars program, nominated Orange County for the award. In support of the nomination, the county made a presentation about the program at the Resource Recycling Conference in August.
“This award recognizes the dedication and hard work Orange County staff places on engaging and educating the community on how to recycle right,” said Robert Williams, Solid Waste and Fleet Director. “Being nominated and winning this prestigious award is a testament of the emphasis Orange County staff places on improving the quality of recyclable material being processed. Engaging with members of the community is an important start towards a zero waste community.”
More information about the program is available on the Orange County website: www.orangecountync.gov/2932/Orange-County-Recycling-Stars-Program.