For the second year in a row Orange County has surpassed it goals for waste reduction.

A total of 69,438 tons of waste were landfilled that originated from Orange County in the fiscal year 2014-15, according to the Waste Management Division of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

This results in an annual landfilling rate of 1,000 pounds per person

“Recycling resources not only improves the environment but creates jobs throughout North Carolina and nationally,” said Earl McKee, chair of the Board of Orange County Commissioners.

Compared with the baseline year of 1991-92 when 2,720 pounds per person were sent to landfills, there has been a 64% reduction in the rate of landfilling.

“While recycling markets are currently weak they are cyclical and will improve again,” McKee said. “The current market conditions are no reason to stop recycling or working on reducing the amount of waste disposed. Reducing waste reduces both landfill costs and the amount we dump on other communities.”

Related Stories
‹
Local Government Meetings: February 2-6, 2026
This week in local government: Durham considers the RTP's long-term development plans, and Carrboro gets an update on its comprehensive plan.
Orange County Governments Share Service Delays, Facility Closures Following Weekend Snow
Following inches of snow, local governments in Orange and Chatham counties alerted residents to how their operations are affected for Monday and Tuesday.
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Early Road Conditions Poor on Sunday Following Snow Storm
Following Saturday's snowfall in the Triangle on Saturday, law enforcement and government agencies are updating road conditions on Sunday.
Ross Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder of Clark; Mistrial In Death Of Woods
Issiah Ross was found guilty of second degree murder of Devin Clark in 2022 but was not convicted for the shooting of Lyric Woods.
Former Town Councilor, Pastor María Palmer Details Orange County Commissioner Campaign
María Palmer's campaign for a District 1 Orange County Commissioner seat is built around championing equity and improving affordability.
Orange County: Winter Weather Response, Upcoming Commissioners Meeting
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, January 28, discussing county news and events. She discussed the county's response to the recent winter storm, and how her role as chair of the commissioners meant more involvement in the various aspects of the county's response. She also talked about the potential for more winter weather this weekend, previewed the next commissioners meeting, and more.
Issiah Ross Completes Testimony, Prosecution And Defense Deliver Closing Arguments In Woods/Clark Trial
Thursday saw the end of testimony and the closing arguments in the case against Issiah Ross in the shooting deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark.
Issiah Ross Argues Self-Defense In Double Murder Trial; Prosecution Wraps Testimony
Issiah Ross took the stand Wednesday to share his own testimony and defense in the trial over the 2022 deaths of two teens in Orange County.
Lawyer Lori Russell Details Run For Orange County Schools Board Of Education
Russell, an Orange County-based lawyer working in biotechnology, is one of six candidates vying for a seat on the board of education.
A Star Witness, Snapchat Messages and Phone Records: Prosecution Advances Testimony in Issiah Ross Trial
Information critical to the prosecution's first-degree murder case against Issiah Ross was shared during Tuesday's testimony.
›