Recycling FYI:
Reducing waste in upcoming events, award winning programs and what to do if you're moving away
by Blair L. Pollock. Orange County Solid Waste Department
The 26th annual Hillsborough Hog Day will be “trash free” for the first time. Hog Day is June 20-21 at the Cameron Park area in downtown Hillsborough. We will need volunteers to staff the trash stations like those at the Eno River Festival, to keep it that way. Contact Muriel Williman at the recycling office 968-2788 or
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to volunteer for a trash free shift. You get a recycling shirt and admission to the event.
“Our goal is waste minimization; reducing waste in the first place, and composting and recycling as much as we can, says Muriel Williman with Orange County’s Solid Waste Management Department and Hog Day Committee member. “While some trash is expected, we expect to reduce waste by 75-80%, even 90%”.
Vendors will be directed to serve on only paper plates, bowls and cups, or use only wax paper, not foil to wrap food. Vendors will also be using biodegradable utensils made from corn, potato or wheat starch purchased collectively through the Orange County Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce. The goal is to compost as much as possible. Petroleum-based plastic utensils, film, condiment packets, or other plastics interfere with composting, and trash will be monitored to keep those things out. That’s where we’ll need the volunteers.
As at the Eno River Festival , festival attendees will be asked to do their part and sort their trash at staffed “trash sorting stations” that will be located through out the event grounds. Each station will have labeled containers for the separation of biodegradable food and paper waste, recyclable bottles and cans, and “true” trash. Unlike the Eno Festival this will be new to Hog Day so it will take a lot of explaining and patience to get it right.
Pre-consumer waste from the barbecue cookers and the BBQ contest will continue to be recycled as it has been but now with the addition of food, paper and other biodegradable waste. Brooks Contractor will turn it all back into compost. Credit is due to Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens’ leadership on this issue, when he asked early in the event planning, “Why can’t Hog Day be trash free like the Eno River Festival?” Speaking of the Eno Festival, we’ll also need volunteers to help with recycling there.
Hog Day is a family event featuring a barbecue cooking contest, musical entertainment, children’s rides and games, antique car exhibit, arts and crafts, food vendors and more. The Friday June 20 activities are 6 pm – 10 pm and include a concert featuring musical groups The Deal and The Flabbergasters. Tickets $5, ages 13 and up. Saturday June 21st events are 9 am – 6 pm and general admission is $3, ages 13 and up. Visit www.hogdays.com
AWARD WINNING – THANKS TO YOU ALL
Orange County’s successful recycling program has won two awards recently due largely to the consistently strong commitment of people in this county to reduce and recycle waste. The National Glass Packaging Institute has recognized our commercial recycling program with its annual sustainability award to be given at the Food Marketing Institute’s annual meeting in Las Vegas this year (ain’t it ironic!). Our program is being recognized for the 15 years of collecting source-separated bottles, cans and paper from over 140 establishments throughout Orange County. Credit is due to those bar and restaurant owners and other hard working staff who routinely separate recycling well. We’re over 630 tons a year now. Thanks - this one’s for you.
In March Orange County’s Toxic Reduction Improvements Program (TRIP) won the Carolina Recycling Association’s annual Carol Bond and Bill Evans Memorial Award for Toxicity Reduction. This award recognizes our County’s comprehensive and integrated effort to recycle paint, pesticides, chemicals, electronics, batteries, motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze throughout Orange County. Last year, the programs took in 642 tons of toxics diverting them from landfilling, up 8% from the 595 tons the previous year. As metal and oil prices rise, there is actually some income to offset the program costs, thus keeping our program affordable. We now accept small business hazardous waste, too. Call ahead with more than fifty pounds to 969-2072 for an appointment.
ZERO WASTE MOVE OUT
If you’re moving out of the area or even just your home this spring as part of the annual mass exodus, please keep these things in mind:
1. Leave your recycling bin behind for the next occupant of your house. It belongs to the County and is there for the residents to recycle stuff in Orange County. If there’s curbside recycling at your new house in Orange County you can get a new one free from us.
2. Bring your usable good stuff to a thrift store, salvage shed or neighbor. It doesn’t belong in the trash. Now the PTA thrift shops accept your torn but dry and clean clothing if it’s separated in a bag and labeled as Gryce (don’t ask). To feed the hungry, take canned goods and unopened dry beans, cake mix, etc. to the Interfaith Council (IFC) office on 110 West Main Street in Carrboro from 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Don’t trash Orange County, after that last party, make sure to recycle all those bottles, cans and love/hate notes. Take that old TV, computer, cellphone, cans of paint, flea bombs, etc. to the proper disposal point at the landfill or a solid waste convenience center near you.
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