Trash & Recycling in Durham, NC (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Durham, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Durham provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection to residential customers. Trash is collected weekly and single-stream recycling is collected every other week. Yard waste is collected weekly in season. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day with handles facing the house. All waste must fit inside the provided cart with the lid fully closed.
Durham Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Durham requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb with handles facing the house and at least 3 feet from any obstacles including mailboxes, cars, and other carts. Carts should be on a flat, level surface accessible to the automated collection truck. Between collection days, carts must be stored out of public view, behind the front building line.
Durham Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Durham offers scheduled bulky item collection for residential customers. Residents may schedule a pickup for large items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses by calling Durham One Call. A limited number of bulky items are collected per pickup. The city also operates a convenience center where residents can drop off large items and construction debris for a fee.
Durham Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Durham provides single-stream recycling collected every other week. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastics #1-5 and #7. Recycling must be clean and dry. Contaminated recycling loads may be rejected and collected as trash. The city does not accept plastic bags, Styrofoam, or food-soiled items in the recycling cart.