Recycling

Can I put magazines and newspapers together?
Yes. The Town now uses a single stream recycling process that allows magazines and newspapers to be put together in your curbside bin.

Can I recycle all residential mixed paper in my curbside bin?
No. The only paper accepted in your curbside recycling bin is newspapers and inserts, glossy magazines and catalogs. These along with the other items considered residential mixed paper can be recycled at the Citizen’s Convenience Center located at 313 N. Dixon Ave. This includes:

All white paper and color paper – copy paper, printer paper, letterhead, computer paper, notebook paper, fax paper
Legal pad and scratch pad papers
Junk mail and paper envelopes (manila envelopes and plastic windows OK)
Brochures and manila file folders
Card stock

Citizens may also recycle paper at the Wake County Convenience Centers. Please visit www.wakegov.com or call (919) 856-6186 for Wake County Convenience Center information.

Does Residential mixed paper include books for recycling?
No. Residential mixed paper does not include books or the following items:

Food contaminated papers
Napkins, tissue, paper towels
Wax paper
Carbon paper
Parchment paper or synthetic fiber envelopes such as Fed Ex envelopes
No shredded paper
No paper clips or binder clips

Why don’t you take shredded paper for recycling at the Citizen’s Convenience Center?
Once paper is shredded, the fibers are cut to shorter pieces. Shorter fibers change the product to a lower grade class than whole paper, which can be recycled a few times before becoming low grade. Therefore, these two items are not recycled together. Shredded paper also tends to take up a large volume of space.

Can I recycle cardboard at the curb?
You can recycle corrugated cardboard (OCC) curbside. OCC is not waxed and not glossy cardboard. It has three layers (two flat layers surrounding a wavy layer inside). Before placing it curbside, you must flatten it and cut it into pieces that are no bigger than 2’ x 3’, not folded so that the material fits in the side compartment on the recycling truck.

I have lots of cardboard boxes. What should I do?
You can take cardboard to the Cary Citizen Convenience Center located at 313 N. Dixon Street. The 2’ x 3’ size requirement is waived, but make sure you flatten the boxes and remove any packaging paper and peanuts. If you have more than 20 boxes, you can arrange a special curbside pickup on your solid waste collection day by calling the department of Public Works and Utilities ahead of time at (919) 469-4090. Once again, the size requirement is waived, but the boxes must be clean and flattened and placed on the curb on your collection day by 7 a.m.

Can I recycle pizza boxes?
No. Even though pizza boxes are corrugated cardboard, they are contaminated with food that would interfere with the recycling process.

Where can cardboard such as cereal boxes and cracker boxes be recycled?
Cereal and cracker boxes are considered chipboard, a type of cardboard. When it is torn, the frayed edges are usually brown or gray. Chipboard can be recycled at the Citizen’s Convenience Center at 313 N. Dixon Ave. or to a Wake County Convenience Center. Please do not place it in your curbside bin.

SBS board is another type of cardboard. When it is torn, the edges are white. This can be taken to a Wake County Convenience Center.

Why do I have to rinse my bottles and cans? Doesn’t recycling involve melting, which would destroy any food contamination?
Containers that have not been properly rinsed attract bees and other animals. This increases the chances that our recycling workers or family members may get stung or hurt. Although it’s true that recycling does involve high heat, food wastes do not disappear. The result is a poor quality product that must be placed in the landfill in its entirety. This is why it’s important that any aluminum foil you recycle is not contaminated with food (burned or otherwise).

Why do I have to flatten the containers?
Flattening increases the amount of space in your bin and in our trucks. This allows recycling crews to make more pickups before they have to go unload the truck and come back to their routes. This saves money and speeds collection.

Why must I throw away the lids?
Many lids are made out of materials that are not commonly recycled, and the lid might contain sharp edges. Even if the lid is made of plastic, it may be made from a different plastic type than the container.

How much is Cary recycling?
From July 2005 through June 2006, the Town of Cary picked up more than 7,300 tons of materials in curbside recycling bins, more than 13,300 tons of yard waste, 2,000 gallons of used motor oil, and 7.54 tons of used appliances. Cary is diverting about 41 percent of its waste stream from the landfill.

Does the recycling program make any money?
No. The Town of Cary does save money; however, there is a cost to providing this service.

How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?
Wake County operates two year-round household hazardous waste centers. (See locations.)

Read more about the Town of Cary’s household hazardous waste reduction program.

What happens if my recycling bins breaks or is stolen?
Call the Department of Public Works and Utilities at (919) 469-4090 to arrange delivery of a new one. You can also pick one up at the Finance Department’s customer service window at Town Hall.

Can I get an additional bin?
Yes, for a fee of $8. Call Public Works and Utilities at (919) 469-4090 for delivery or pick one up. A recycling bin can also be picked up at the Finance Department’s customer service window at Town Hall.

What can I do with my old phone books?
In conjunction with Wake County, Cary sponsors several drop off centers during February and March as new telephone books are being delivered. At other times, dispose of phone books at a Wake County drop-off facility.

What can I do with old books and manuals?
Check to see if the library can use them. Thrift stores such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army may take book donations as well.

How can I dispose of used motor oil?
Call the Department of Public Works and Utilities at 919-469-4090 to arrange for a free curbside pickup. Used motor oil can also be disposed of at no charge at either Wake County solid waste management facility. Please make sure that the containers are no larger that five gallons and are tightly capped. Addresses are at the end of this document. It can also be disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste center.

Will the town pick up yard waste curbside?
Yes. Yard waste is collected on your regular garbage collection day, unless there is a holiday scheduled during the week. You can also dispose of yard waste at the Citizen's Convenience Center located at 313 N. Dixon Ave. Yard waste consists of vegetative matter collected as a result of landscaping. Examples of yard waste include grass clippings, brush, leaves and limbs. Limbs should be no longer than 4 feet or larger than 4 inches in diameter. All soil must be removed. The maximum volume of curbside yard waste for regular collection at each home on one day cannot exceed 240 cubic feet (8 feet long by 5 feet wide by 6 feet). Two men must be able to load it into the truck within 10 minutes.

Yard waste should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day in reusable containers, paper bags, or securely tied bundles. Yard waste contained in plastic bags will not be collected.

How do I make compost?
Visit the Compost Education Center in Bond Park off High House Road. The center has samples of compost bins and a collection of native plants that tolerate drought. Read more about composting.

What does the recycling symbol mean when its on consumer products? Does it mean the item is made from recycled materials or that the item can be recycled?
A recycling logo doesn’t necessarily mean either since the law does not regulate recycling logos. To ensure you are buying a product made from recycled materials check the label for terms such as “30 percent post-consumer.” Look for labels that indicate the highest percentage of post consumer recycled content. Read more.

What’s the difference between post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled material?
Post consumer materials indicate the product was made with materials that were recycled by residents and businesses. Pre consumer recycled materials are made with industry scraps.

What can I do with my used appliances?
If the appliance still works, consider donating it to charity. Many organizations will arrange free pickup.

See other options for disposing of appliances through the Town of Cary or Wake County

What can I do with scrap tires?
See Wake County Multi-Material Drop Off.

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