Recycling

Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling (SW&R) believes in the three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle..in that order. SW&R has built its programs around these three R's and offers programs and information to help the community do all three.

There are Swap Shops at each of the 12 Collection Centers where residents can bring unwanted, but still usable, items for others to claim. SW&R also takes yard waste from the county and grinds it into mulch.

The County has a robust recycling program, which includes mixed recyclables, glass bottles and jars, metal, appliances, electronics, motor oil and filters, batteries, cooking oil, fluorescent lightbulbs, and Styrofoam. Visit the recycling webpage to learn more. 

Composting

Food and other organic material create methane when buried in a landfill. Methane has 25 times more warming potential to the environment than carbon dioxide. Why not create rich, soil enhancing compost instead through composting?

The County offers multiple classes in composting each year through Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center and Solid Waste & Recycling. SW&R sells backyard compost bins and kitchen collectors. North Carolina Cooperative Extension has an extensive online resource for composting at home through their compost portal.