Recycling Opportunities
Recycle Right! Learn what you can recycle in your curbside bin.
Unincorporated Roadside Recycling Collection
- Durham County provides biweekly curbside recycling for unincorporated residents.
- If you live within the city limits of Durham, we do not service your area.
- Please do not bag your recyclables. Leave them loose inside of your cart.
- On your collection day, carts should be placed on the curb no later than 6 a.m.
Recycling Carts
- The County contracts with GFL to provide biweekly curbside recycling collection.
- Carts for this program can be either bright green with a black lid and a GFL logo or dark green with a black lid and a Waste Industries logo.
At this time, there is no provision to allow multiple carts at one address.
For auditing purposes, each cart is tied to a specific address. Please do not take the cart if you move to a new location.
Glass on the Side
Please consider separating your glass bottles and jars and bringing to our Convenience Sites. This lowers our overall recycling costs.
We have special black recycling dumpsters just for glass bottles and jars (Please note, this program is optional. Other types of glass, such as windows, mirrors, or dishes, are NOT recyclable in any program).
This program is optional. If you chose to recycling glass bottles and jars in your curbside cart, they will still be recycled.
Computer & Electronic Waste
The County hosts at least one e-waste collection event per year at the Northern Durham Convenience, typically in the Spring.
Outside of a collection event, you could take your electronics to the following location:
City of Durham’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Center
2115 E. Club Boulevard
Durham, NC 27704.
For more information, please call 919-560-1200
Collection Schedules
To determine your recycling collection schedule, enter your address here.You can also download the Durham County Recycles! app for your smartphone from the Apple or Google Play store.
If your recycling cart was not collected (and it was placed on the curb by the appropriate time), please call 919-560-0433 by 9 a.m. on the following business day.
Swap Shop
With the help of a Community Waste Reduction Grant from NCDEQ, the Northern Durham Swap Shop opened in 2023.
All items must be clean, dry, and in good condition.
Accepted Items
- Small appliances
- Kitchen ware
- Books
- Small electronics (still working)
- Small, non-upholstered furniture (no cribs)
- Small sports equipment
- Toys (no stuffed animals).
Unaccepted Items
- Cribs
- Car seats
- Recalled items
- Upholstered furniture (i.e. couch or mattress)
- Televisions
- Computer Equipment
Staff will monitor items to ensure that anything placed in the Swap Shop is operational, functional, and clean.
A new Swap Shop will be included with the Redwood Renovation.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
The County hosts at least one HHW collection event per year at the Northern Durham Convenience, typically in the Spring. The next event is scheduled for May 17, 2025 from 8am-noon.
Outside of a collection event, you could take your HHW to:
City of Durham’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Center
2115 E. Club Boulevard
Durham, NC 27704.
For more information, please call 919-560-1200.
Curbside Garbage Collection
Durham County Government does not provide roadside garbage collection. County residents located within the unincorporated portions of the County may set up roadside garbage collection with a solid waste hauler. Durham County does not endorse any solid waste hauler but has provided a list of solid waste hauler contact information below for citizen convenience. You must contact these haulers directly for service rates and collection information. Additional haulers may be found in your local phone directory.
North of the Eno Residents:
Clayton and Hurdle
Efland Trash Service
GFL (Formerly Waste Industries)
My Valet Trash
Republic Services, Inc.
Trustworthy and Affordable
South of the Eno Residents
GFL (Formerly Waste Industries)
My Valet Trash
Republic Services, Inc.
Yard waste
Many Hats
If you would like your business to be added to this list, please call 919-560-0433.
Recycling in Schools
We do not manage the recycling program for Durham Public Schools. Please contact Durham Public Schools at 919-560-3827.
Educational presentations are provided to schools in Durham courtesy of Durham County General Services, Solid Waste Division.
Presentations can be for a K-12 classroom or a student club/organization about recycling, waste reduction, waste management, and/or landfills.
Other Recycling and Reuse Opportunities
Durham County General Services only provides this list as a resource for residents and businesses but does not endorse any of the companies listed.
If you would like your company added to the list, please call 919-560-0442 or contact us.
Habitat ReUSE Store
5501 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham
Accepts: Household items and building materials
Does not accept: linens, cribs, DVDs, electronics, paint, tires. For a full list, visit website.
The Scrap Exchange
2050 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, North Carolina 27707
Accepts: craft materials, art supplies, vintage goodies, and other unique items.
Does not accept: Styrofoam, anything that contained food, medicine, or toxic substances, bedding, electronics.
Wheels for Wishes (Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina)
Accepts: Unwanted cars, trucks motorcycles, SUVs, Rvs, boats. Will pick up/tow away.
Accepts: Woman's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories with no signs of wear, damage or alterations.
Mattress Recycling Information
If your mattress is relatively new and in good shape, you can sell or donate it so it doesn’t go to waste. But if it’s gotten all the use it can, you’re probably better off recycling it.
*Durham County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or handicap or on the basis of sex.