On August 25, Orange County Solid Waste hosted two Recycle Right workshops. About 10 people attended the evening session during which Orange County specialists reviewed the county’s recycling policies and answered questions from attendees. This workshop was the first in a series about waste reduction. The next workshop will be on composting, date TBD within the next couple of months.
Become a Recycling Star! Orange County acknowledges residents who recycle correctly! Residents who do not will receive more information about recycling correctly in Orange County.
When the county delivers its recyclables to the companies that take them, they are charged a fee if the delivery is above 15% contamination, which includes things like plastic bags (more on that below). Fines incurred by the county lead to increased fees to residents. Avoid “wish-cycling.” As they say, “When it doubt, throw it out.”
Here is a summary of the workshop proceedings in Q&A format. It’s important to note that each county has different rules for recycling. In Orange County, the “number system,” i.e., the number on the bottom of plastics, is not used to classify recyclables.
1. Does a container need to be completely clean when it goes into the household recycling bin?
No, but remove as much food and liquid as possible. For a bottle of oil, remove contents but you do not need to run it through the dishwasher, for example. For glass jars, empty and rinse and then recycle it with the lid on. Same for mason jars and bottles.
2. Can we recycle plastic silverware or drink cups?
No, plastic silverware and drink cups (such as Solo cups) are for single use.
3. Can lids stay on jars?
Yes, it is preferable to keep lids on jars because they are too small to go through the system on their own. And for cans (e.g., soup cans), put the lid inside the can and crimp it or push it down so it doesn’t fall out.
4. What about clamshells and single use water bottles?
No, clamshells are not recycled in Orange County. [TC note: Dennis Carter’s Anything With a Plug events take clamshells.] Yes, single use water bottles can be recycled in your household bin.
5. What about containers with pumps?
The containers may be recyclable but pumps are not.
6. Can I recycle plastic bags in my household bin?
Emphatic NO! Plastic bags jam the machines and shut down the sorting lines. Please remove your recyclables from plastic bags. You can recycle plastic bags at the Eubanks Waste and Recycling Center carts near the clothing bins, including bubble wrap, produce bags, and bread bags. Frozen vegetable bags are not.
7. What about pie pans and aluminum foil?
You cannot recycle pie pans and aluminum foil in your household bin. You can recycle them in the metal recycling bins at a Waste and Recycling Center.
8. What about receipts?
You cannot recycle receipts with shiny coating—they contain BPA.
9. Something like a Pringles can?
That container is made of mixed materials and those cannot be recycled.
10. What about tissue paper, paper towels, and napkins?
These items can be composted (if no cleaning compounds on them) but they cannot be recycled.
11. How about pizza boxes?
They can be recycled if there is not a lot of grease, cheese, or sauce. A little is ok. They can also be composted and will degrade faster if you cut them into small pieces.
12. What about Styrofoam?
There is no Styrofoam recycling in Orange County.
13. Yogurt containers?
Yes, the containers are recyclable. And the lids that pop on or screw on are recyclable (and should be put on the container to go in your bin). The big containers are also recyclable.
14. Should we crush containers?
No, do not crush containers but break down cardboard boxes (such as cereal boxes). Other recyclables can get trapped in a box if it’s not broken down.
Find more information on Orange County Solid Waste website. There is an A to Z recycling guide. And you can download the Orange County Recycles app. Sign up for their monthly newsletter.
September 6 from 10 – 2 Shred event at Eubanks Park and Ride lot, 1768 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. You can bring confidential documents for free and safe shredding and recycling.