Collection Center Decals

A current decal must be shown every time you visit a Collection Center.

A decal is the only way an attendant working at a Collection Center knows residents are allowed to use the center. Decals are dwelling specific, which means they should not be given to other people to use. Residents do not have to put their decal on their windshield, but do need to show it before unloading their waste.

The 2024 decals are being mailed out starting at the end of January. Those residents who paid the annual solid waste fee by the Tax Office deadline had their decals included in the initial mailing. Solid Waste & Recycling staff will mail out decals weekly to those who pay the solid waste fee late.

If you do not receive your 2024 decal by February 15, please contact the Main Office at (919) 542-5516 Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, or email recycle@chathamcountync.gov. 

Chatham County landowners who pay a Solid Waste Fee annually should receive their decals in the mail each year. The Solid Waste Fee is a separate fee added to the County property tax bill; it is not a part of the general taxes. A set of two decals is issued per qualified dwelling, once the Solid Waste Fee has been paid.

Additional decals are available for purchase for $10 per set through the Main Office. Please use the Decal Request Form (versión en español) or contact our Main Office.

Renters should get decals from the landlord/property owner. Renters can pay the $10 additional decal fee to get a set, as long as the Solid Waste Fee was paid by the property owner. 

Town residents living in the town limits of Apex, Cary, Goldston, Pittsboro, or Siler City do not pay the Solid Waste Fee annually. Those residents who want access to the Collection Centers must pay the Solid Waste Fee through the Main Office. Please use the Decal Request Form (versión en español) or contact our Main Office.

Businesses and out-of-county residents are not allowed to use the Collection Centers under any circumstances. Businesses need to take trash to a transfer station or landfill or get a contract with a private hauler to pick up their trash. Solid Waste & Recycling does offer recycling options for businesses though; learn more about business recycling options.

Chatham County has 12 Collection Centers for the disposal of household trash and recycling by Chatham County residents who have a current decal. Visit Items Accepted and Not Accepted at the Collection Centers for details.

Solid Waste Fee

The Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling Division is an enterprise fund, meaning it does not receive funding from the general fund tax dollars, like most county departments. SW&R relies on the Solid Waste Fee and other sources of revenue, such as the sale of recyclables, grants, and state funding. All funding is used to provide all of our programs and services, including the 12 Collection Centers, Household Hazardous Waste events, household recycling, tire disposal, scrap metal recycling, electronics recycling, illegal dumping, litter clean-ups, educational programming, and more.

The $137 Solid Waste Fee is charged to all landowners with dwellings in unincorporated areas of the county. The Solid Waste Fee will appear on your County property tax bill annually. Those residents living in the town limits of Apex, Cary, Goldston, Pittsboro, and Siler City do not pay this fee on their property tax bill. 

The Solid Waste Fee was increased to $137 in July 2023. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the increase.

Application for Solid Waste Fee Waiver

Dwellings that have been unoccupied for at least 2 years and do not have utilities (water, electric, septic/sewer) may apply for a waiver from the Solid Waste Fee. The Fee Waiver Application must be filed with the Solid Waste & Recycling Division before the fees will be waived. Download the Fee Waiver Application. All applications must be submitted to the division no later than November 30 each year to be considered for that year.

If you have additional questions about decals, the solid waste fee, or Collection Centers, visit the frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions please contact the Main Office Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm at (919) 542-5516 or email us anytime at recycle@chathamcountync.gov.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer