RECYCLING & COMPOSTING IN CHAPEL HILL & CARRBORO, NC
Hard-to-Recycle Pickup & Composting Service in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Recycle more and throw away less with convenient doorstep collection from The ReCollective.
We collect plastic film, crinkly packaging, textiles, styrofoam, batteries, light bulbs, electronics during scheduled months and rotating ReCo Pick materials. Eligible Chapel Hill and Carrboro households can also add food scrap collection through OneStop.
WHAT WE COLLECT
Hard-to-recycle materials picked up in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Members can recycle multiple material categories every month, along with additional specialty materials collected throughout the year.
Stretchy plastic bags and wraps, including grocery bags, bread bags, shipping film and similar materials.
Non-stretchy snack bags, wrappers, pouches, coffee bags and other accepted crinkly packaging.
Accepted clothing, fabric and household textiles that need a responsible next use.
Accepted styrofoam packaging that is not typically collected through local curbside recycling.
Accepted batteries and light bulbs collected during scheduled collection months.
Rotating specialty collections that help members recycle even more throughout the year.
Convenient food scrap collection available to eligible addresses through The ReCollective’s OneStop service.
+See the Complete List
Review all accepted materials, sorting instructions, add-ons and rotating collections.
Explore all materials →LOCAL CURBSIDE LOOKUP
Not sure what belongs in your Orange County recycling cart?
Orange County provides curbside recycling for homes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Use the County’s A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide to search for an item and find local recycling, reuse, drop-off or disposal guidance.
Orange County curbside recycling and The ReCollective accept different materials. Check the County guide for conventional recycling, then review our materials page for doorstep hard-to-recycle options.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Choose the service that fits your household
Start with monthly hard-to-recycle pickup or combine recycling and food scrap collection with OneStop.
RECYCLING SERVICE
Hard-to-Recycle Pickup
Convenient monthly collection for materials that are difficult to recycle through traditional curbside programs.
- Plastic Film & Bags
- Crinkly Packaging
- Textiles
- Batteries
- Light Bulbs
- Styrofoam
- ReCo Picks (20+ materials per year that rotate)
- Starter kit of canvas ReCo bags
- Clean reusable canvas bags each month
- On-demand support
- Text/Email reminders
- Sharing with Friends is encouraged!
ONESTOP SERVICE
Recycling & Food Scraps
Combine monthly hard-to-recycle collection with recurring food scrap pickup using your purple OneStop bin.
- Everything in Hard-to-Recycle service
- Purple food scrap collection bin
- Food scrap pickup at your selected frequency
- Monthly hard-to-recycle collection
- Bin cleaning and replacement bin service
- Impact reporting
- Compost or specialty recycling rewards
- Optional additional food scrap bin
Customize your membership
Add extra capacity, #1 clamshell recycling, #5 plastic recycling, fluorescent tubes and other specialty services to an upcoming pickup.
CHAPEL HILL & CARRBORO INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Try doorstep service with code CHAPELHILLFREE
Get a free month of Hard-to-Recycle service or $19 in savings on OneStop compost service. The ReCollective also offers a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied after your first month.
SIMPLE DOORSTEP SERVICE
How The ReCollective works
Collect accepted materials at home, set them out on your scheduled pickup day and let The ReCollective take care of the rest.
Collect
Place accepted hard-to-recycle materials in the labeled reusable ReCo bags provided with your membership.
Set Out
Put your bags in your designated pickup location before your scheduled service time.
Recycle
We collect, sort and route your materials to trusted recycling and reuse partners.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Chapel Hill and Carrboro recycling and composting FAQs
What can I recycle with The ReCollective in Chapel Hill and Carrboro?
The ReCollective collects plastic film and bags, crinkly packaging, textiles, styrofoam, batteries, light bulbs, scheduled electronics and rotating materials offered throughout the year.
View the current accepted materials listDoes The ReCollective pick up styrofoam in Chapel Hill and Carrboro?
Yes. Accepted styrofoam is included with both Hard-to-Recycle and OneStop memberships.
Can I recycle plastic bags and plastic film?
Yes. Accepted stretchy plastic film and bags are included with monthly hard-to-recycle pickup.
Does The ReCollective offer compost pickup in Chapel Hill and Carrboro?
OneStop combines hard-to-recycle collection with food scrap pickup for eligible addresses. Use the signup form to check availability for your home.
Check your addressHow often is recycling picked up?
Hard-to-recycle materials are collected monthly. OneStop members receive food scrap pickup at their selected service frequency.
Is there a ReCollective compost drop-off in Chapel Hill or Carrboro?
The ReCollective does not currently operate a Community Compost drop-off in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. Residents may check their address for OneStop doorstep pickup or stop by The ReCollective table at the Durham Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings to sign up for organics drop-off.
Learn about Durham Farmers’ Market compost drop-offWho provides curbside recycling in Chapel Hill and Carrboro?
Orange County provides conventional curbside recycling collection for homes within Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The ReCollective is an additional doorstep service for accepted materials that are not handled through standard curbside recycling.
View Orange County recycling informationHow much does The ReCollective cost?
Pricing varies based on the service and pickup frequency you select.
View current plans and pricingMORE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Other recycling and composting options
Doorstep pickup is not the only way to use The ReCollective.
COMMUNITY COMPOST DROP-OFF
Durham Farmers’ Market
Stop by The ReCollective table on Saturday mornings to sign up for organics drop-off. Once enrolled, members can bring their food scraps and exchange their Purple Bin for a clean one.
Explore the Durham drop-off →MAILBACK RECYCLING
Almost Anything Mailback Bag
Outside the local pickup area or sending a bag to someone elsewhere? Use our convenient mailback service for accepted hard-to-recycle materials.
Explore the Mailback Bag →READY TO GET STARTED?
Recycle more from your Chapel Hill or Carrboro home
Choose your service, receive your collection supplies and begin keeping more valuable materials out of the trash.