As of January 2006, a new decal program began in Chatham County.  New decals will be issued each calendar year for admittance to Chatham County's twelve Collection Centers for deposit of residential trash and recyclables.  Two decals per household will be issued, based on payment of Chatham County Solid Waste Fees.  Residents of Chatham County must pay the Solid Waste Fees and display a current decal in order to use any of the twelve collection centers. 

This is not a new fee for residents living in the unincorporated areas of the county.  The owners of dwellings in the unincorporated areas of the county are billed the Chatham County Solid Waste Fees on their Chatham County tax bill. 

Town residents are not charged these fees, and their use of the county collection centers is entirely optional.  However beginning in 2006, town residents who want to use the collection centers must pay the County Solid Waste Fees through our office at 720 County Landfill Road in order to get new decals.  Use of a decal request form will make this process easier.

GUIDELINES for New Decal Program:

Residents without a current Chatham County Solid Waste decal will not be allowed inside the collection centers for disposal of garbage and recyclables, use of swap shops, or grazing card program. 

Residents who live in the unincorporated areas of the county who pay their Solid Waste fees through their tax bills should receive their decals in the mail.  

There will be a grace period until March 1 for residents with a  2006 decal. 

Residents living in the incorporated parts of Chatham County (towns) may obtain Solid Waste decals by paying the Solid Waste Availability Fee through the Waste Management office (see below for more information).

Landlords will be issued decals for rental property and are responsible for distributing decals to tenants (see below for more information).

Two decals shall be issued per qualifying household.

Businesses and out-of-county residents are prohibited from collection centers.

Qualifying residents may purchase a replacement Solid Waste decal through the Waste Management office in case of a broken windshield, new vehicle purchase, or other valid reason.


QUESTIONS TOWN RESIDENTS MAY HAVE

1.  Is this new policy mandatory for town residents?

No.  If you live in Pittsboro, Siler City or Goldston, your use of the Chatham County Collection Centers is entirely optional.  All three towns have curbside garbage collection for their residents.  Pittsboro and Siler City also offer curbside recycling, as well as yard waste and bulky item pick-up.  However, if you want to use the collection centers, you must pay the Solid Waste Availability Fee and display a current decal.

2.  How much do I pay for a decal if I live in town?

$81 - Town residents will be charged the Solid Waste Availability Fee only.  This is one of two Solid Waste Fees, and is comparable to what residents are charged who live in the unincorporated parts of the county and hire a private trash hauler.  Town residents can get decals through the Waste Management office through the use of a decal request form.   

3.  Do my county property taxes pay for this program?

No.  In years past, General Fund monies (tax dollars) were used to help pay for the programs that benefit the entire County population such as HHW, Environmental Enforcement, and Education.  These supplemental dollars also supported the extra use on the 12 collection centers by town residents for recycling, bulky items, tires, appliances, scrap metal, and motor oil.  This is the fourth fiscal year when no "tax dollars" will be contributed to the Waste Management Department.

4.  Where else can I take trash besides the collection centers?

There are two privately owned transfer stations that accept most materials: one in Siler City (behind Wal Mart) and another in Sanford (Wilkins Dr.).  A tipping fee is charged at the transfer stations (currently $45/ton).  There are also C&D landfills outside the county limits that accept building materials for a charge.  Contact our office at 542-5516 for more information about these facilities.


QUESTIONS LANDLORDS & TENANTS MAY HAVE

1.  If I own rental property in Chatham County, how do my tenants get their decals?

Property owners in the unincorporated areas of Chatham County who pay the Chatham County Solid Waste Fees should receive decals for each dwelling they own in the mail.  In some cases, decals can be delivered to a property management office instead of to the home address of the property owner (call our office at 542-5516).  As the property owner, or "landlord", it is your responsibility to distribute decals to the tenants. 

2.  What if I change tenants before the end of the calendar year?

Tenants or landlords may purchase replacement decals through the Waste Management office.  Our office will be able to check through the Tax Office to determine if the Chatham County Solid Waste Fees have been paid for the current year.  Identification and proof of residency will be required for tenants (such as a utility bill)

3.  As the owner of a rental property, am I able to use the collection centers when I am cleaning out or making repairs to a dwelling? 

No.  The collection centers are designed for regular household trash and recyclables.  Trash generated by work done to a rental property is considered business waste and is not accepted at the collection centers.