Pittsboro, NC – Due to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s Stay-at-Home Order, Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling will be making changes to some of its services.
“Waste and recycling services are considered essential, so we are trying to balance the safety of our employees with the responsibility to provide service,” said Kevin Lindley, Chatham County Environmental Quality Director. “Since some of the processors we use are closed, there is not a place for us to take some materials; therefore, we will not be able to accept them at this time. We also have a responsibility to reduce the face-to-face interactions of our staff and the public.”
The Collection Centers will remain open and operating with normal hours. However, effective March 30, 2020, Solid Waste & Recycling will be closing its Swap Shops. The Electronics Recycling program will also be suspended until the processor can reopen. Electronics accepted in the recycling program are banned from disposal in landfills, so they cannot be thrown away. Residents will need to hold onto those items until the Electronics Recycling program is back up and running. For a list of items, visit the following website- www.chathamnc.org/electronics.
“With more people at home, we have also seen an increase in trash and recycling brought to the Collection Centers,” continued Lindley. “We ask residents to have patience if bins are full when they arrive. Also, as people have time to clean out their homes, garages, sheds, etc. we want to remind residents that attendants cannot help unload large items. They can only help with bagged trash and recycling.”
Starting March 31, the Main Facility will suspend some services. The Main Facility is located at 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro. Electronics recycling for both residents and commercial businesses will be suspended. Yard waste disposal and inert debris disposal for residents will also be suspended. Commercial businesses may still dispose of yard waste and inert debris, but they MUST have an account with Solid Waste & Recycling. Businesses that do not currently have an account, should call the Main Facility before bringing yard waste or inert debris at 919-542-5516 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Those with scrap metal, mixed recycling, glass bottles and jars, or tires can still access the Main Facility, whether residential or commercial, but the gate will be closed. Individuals will need to call the office when arriving at the gate, so staff can open it. The Main Facility will also not be able to accept batteries, light bulbs, tanks, pesticide containers or Styrofoam.
All of these changes will be in effect through April 30. Those who need a decal may call the Main Facility at 919-542-5516 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or email . Decal requests can be handled over the phone or email.
Lindley continued, “These changes are to protect our staff from handling any money or paperwork, while still providing services for those deemed ‘essential services’ in the Executive Order.”
Mulch sales for the month of April have been cancelled. Mulch sales will resume on the first Saturday in May, unless the stay-at-home order is extended. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Medicine Take Back event scheduled for April 18 has been cancelled. However, there will be HHW events monthly through November, so residents can bring their items to a future event. Visit the following website for more details on future dates- www.chathamnc.org/recycle.
All of these changes will be in effect until, at least, April 30. As this is an ever-changing situation, please check the website for any future updates- www.chathamnc.org/recycle. Individuals can also email their questions to .