With the help of the Orange County Solid Waste and the UNC Department of Waste Reduction, students were able to recycle a large amount of plastic wraps and bags during move-in weekend last month. 

Amy Prebble, recycling and outreach coordinator for UNC Waste Reduction, says the event was a success by all accounts. 

During the weekend move-in, almost 300-pounds of plastic bags and shrink wrap were recycled.  This saves around 10-cubic yards of landfill space.  According to Orange County Solid Waste Planner Blair Pollock, events like this go a long way for space conservation efforts, as the county’s landfill is slated to reach capacity in less than three years.

The UNC Office of Waste Reduction has previously worked with Orange County Solid Waste to help eliminate cardboard arriving at the landfill.  Pollock says the work of the department affects not only the UNC Campus, but all of Orange County. 

The recycle drive also received help from Harris Teeter at Chapel Hill North and The American Chemistry Council.