Ending plastic-free July and kicking off plastic-free...forever?

The Carrborean and Orange County's Solid Waste Management office exchanged email about the Plastic-free July campaign.

1. Tell us about plastic-free July. What do you want to accomplish with this observance?

Plastic-free July is a global initiative that was started by the Plastic Free Foundation in 2011. Orange County promotes it to remind residents to reduce their plastic use and share examples and ideas. Orange County encourages reducing plastic use all year long through sustainable swag purchasing, waste wise events, and promotion of reduce, reuse, and recycle.

2. County data show what percentage of Orange County's waste comprise plastic clamshells, drink cups, and plastic film. When you look at that volume, how critical are behavioral campaigns like Plastic-Free July to hitting the county's official goal of reaching 'Zero Waste by 2045'?

Results from the County-sponsored municipal solid waste composition study done in November 2024 showed that 10.2% of Orange County’s trash is plastic cups, plastic clamshells, and plastic film (9.2% is plastic film and 1% is plastic cups and plastic clamshells).

Campaigns like Plastic Free July are great ways to remind people about why reducing plastic use is so important. The County uses data and campaigns to continuously promote sustainability and waste reduction throughout the year. The goal of The Path to Zero Waste by 2045 is only possible with buy-in and participation from the community.

3. Through the Recycling Stars Program, your staff actually inspects curbside carts and leaves 'Oops' tags for contamination. What is the number one single-use plastic item that residents 'wish-cycle'—meaning they throw it in the blue bin hoping it's recyclable when it actually isn't?

Plastic bags are one of the most common and the most problematic contaminants found frequently in recycling carts. Plastic bags are NOT accepted in curbside carts and mixed recycling drop-off. They can easily get tangled in recycling equipment, which is dangerous and costly. Instead, recycle them in the Plastic Bags & Film Drop-Off at the Eubanks Rd. and Walnut Grove Church Rd. Waste and Recycling Centers, where they will be used to make composite decking.

Disposable cups, lids, and straws are another common contaminant found in mixed/single-stream recycling. There are no cups that can be put in recycling carts in Orange County. Moving away from single-use plastics and using reusable bags, cups and bottles is the best way to cut down on waste and reduce contamination.

4. Many well-meaning residents throw 'compostable' plasticware (like green cups and utensils) into their recycling carts. Can you clarify why these items disrupt the recycling stream, and exactly where residents should be taking them instead?

Compostable plasticware is particularly problematic; compostable plasticware is not recyclable or compostable in Orange County’s system and is considered a contaminant in both streams. Contaminants are costly to Orange County Solid Waste, and can create additional fees, which ultimately must be passed onto residents.

Compostable plastics are not accepted in Orange County’s Food Waste Drop-Off program because they do not break down under the process used by the contracted composting facility creating e quality issues in their finished compost.

The only plastic that is accepted in Orange County’s curbside recycling and mixed recycling drop-off is plastics in the shapes of bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars. No other plastics are accepted in curbside recycling and mixed recycling drop-off. Check the A-Z Guide on the Solid Waste website and in the Orange County NC Recycles app to look up materials and their disposal options.

5. Orange County has championed the 'Skip the Straw' initiative, encouraging local restaurants to eliminate single-use plastics. How receptive have local businesses been to this push, especially when transitioning to reusable or compostable alternatives can impact their bottom line?

Businesses in Orange County have various options for reducing their plastic use, including contacting Solid Waste for guidance. There are many businesses in the area that are committed to reducing their plastic use, some by offering reusable serving ware and cutting down on straw use.

The county encourages a culture of sustainability through programs like the Food Waste Diversion Program, where restaurants and other food establishments divert their food waste to be composted, rather than put in the trash. This is a program that is free of cost to qualifying businesses and cuts down on the amount of trash they produce, ultimately saving them money. Participating businesses are a part of the Food Waste Diversion Star Program and get a sticker to display and are listed on the Orange County Solid Waste website.

Initiatives like this are a great way to help businesses see why sustainability efforts are beneficial not just for the community but also their bottom line. It also offers the opportunity to have further discussions into ways they can continue to reduce their waste, like encouraging or providing reusables and skipping the straw. In addition, because compostable plastics are not accepted in Orange County’s program, we can advise on compostable alternatives like bamboo silverware and fiber plates.

6. A lot of single-use plastic is tied to grocery shopping. For a resident walking into Weaver Street Market or a larger chain, navigating plastic-free packaging can feel overwhelming. What is your advice on how to shop locally without filling up the trash can with packaging?

Reducing plastic use in the grocery store starts at home. Make a list of everything you plan on buying and think about where you may be able to reduce plastic packaging. Bring reusable bags to the store to avoid plastic bags. Shop for loose produce and items not packaged in plastic. Choose products like sauces and juices in recyclable glass, paper or metal containers rather than plastic. When the only option is plastic, buy in bulk rather than in small, single-use packages. To take it a step further, shop farmer’s markets and local businesses offering alternatives to plastic packaging.

7. The County pushed out the 'Orange County NC Recycles' app to help people navigate what goes where. What is the most searched-for plastic item on that app, and what is the definitive answer on how to dispose of it?

Plastic clamshells are the most-searched item in the A-Z Waste & Recycle Guide. Plastic clamshells are NOT recyclable in Orange County and must be thrown in the trash. There are no recycling options for clamshells because they are made of a low-quality plastic that does not have a recycling market in the area. The best option is to avoid them when possible and reuse them where you can.

8. What is the single most impactful, permanent habit change an Orange County household can make to reduce their plastic footprint?

The best habit change is to think about what you buy and reduce, reuse, and recycle. In the sustainability pyramid, you reduce first, reuse second, and recycle third. Reducing consumption is the single best way to avoid producing waste in the first place. Before purchasing something, take a moment to decide if you need/want the item, if you have something that is the same or similar, or if there is an alternative that creates less waste.

By taking time to think about the waste produced by what you’re buying, you can start to make different choices and incorporate more sustainable options in your life. For example, if you are thinking of going to a coffee shop, you may be buying a drink in a disposable plastic cup with a lid and a straw. That cup, lid and straw are all going to end up in the trash, which will go to a landfill and stay there. Instead, you can choose to bring a reusable cup with you and avoid creating that waste in the first place. Small actions like these can be implemented by anyone and altogether will lead to reducing waste across the county.