Drop-in events offered through November and December
From plastic tubs to newspaper and magazines, knowing what to recycle can be tricky for some. To help the community learn more about green initiatives, the Wake County Solid Waste Management Division is hosting a series of free educational, drop-in events at Wake County libraries throughout November and early December.
“Our hope for these events is to simplify the recycling process, to encourage more people to recycle confidently and properly,” said Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. “As we get into the holiday season, helping residents to reduce wasteful habits will also help them save more money and preserve the environment.”
In addition to reducing waste, these educational opportunities will also help residents avoid recycling materials the municipalities and county do not accept in local recycling programs. Improper recycling, also known as contamination, can damage machinery and be dangerous for recycling facility staff. The County is required to pay a fee to its recycling processor if the contamination rate exceeds 10%. The current rate in Wake County is 14.4%.
Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend the drop-in recycling events to ask experts what they can and cannot recycle in Wake County. Tables will be set up in the libraries with various displays. Attendees can also get information about the county’s various other waste reduction programs.
Events will take place at the following times and locations:
- Northeast Regional Library – Thursday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Athens Drive Community Library – Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- Fuquay-Varina Community Library – Thursday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Zebulon Community Library – Thursday, Nov. 20, 4–6 p.m.
- Eva Perry Regional Library – Friday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–noon
- East Regional Library – Monday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.–noon
- Holly Springs Community Library – Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9–11 a.m.
In addition to these offerings, Wake County will also host several other events in recognition of America Recycles Day, which takes place annually on Nov. 15, to better educate the public about recycling and minimizing waste. Note: All of the following events are only open to Wake County residents and require an RSVP due to limited seating:
- A free landfill tour on Nov. 15;
- A free screening of the innovative documentary film Refabricate at the Marbles Kids Museum on Nov. 18; and
- A free Sonoco Recycling floor tour on Nov. 18 (must be at least 18 years or older).
Learning how to properly recycle through these events and using resources such as the county’s Recycling 101 page can help mitigate contamination and reduce waste at our county’s facilities. You can learn more about Wake County’s other waste reduction programs by visiting wake.gov/recycling.
