Durham County Council Bin Collection Dates

Durham County Council serves around 270,000 households across the county, covering Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Bishop Auckland, Stanley, Newton Aycliffe, Seaham, Peterlee, Spennymoor, Ferryhill and the rural Weardale and Teesdale valleys. Durham collects general waste (grey wheelie bin) and recycling (grey bin with blue lid) on alternating fortnightly weeks. Check your collection dates below to see which week applies to your address. General waste should contain non-recyclable household waste only. Recycling accepts paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food tins and drink cans — please rinse items before placing them in the recycling bin. Garden waste is collected fortnightly from late March to late November under a paid subscription scheme (£45 per bin per season). Only households that have signed up will receive a garden waste bin. The service does not operate during winter months. Food waste is collected weekly in a small food caddy (23L). Place it at the kerbside on your collection day alongside whichever other bin is due. Food waste collections are being rolled out across County Durham through 2026 — if yours does not appear in your results, check the council website to confirm your start date. If your bin is missed, report it online at durham.gov.uk or call 03000 260 000 within 24 hours of your scheduled collection day. Bins must be placed at the edge of your property by 7 am on your collection day. Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are located at Annfield Plain, Aykley Heads (Durham City), Chilton, Consett, Crook, Fishburn, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Peterlee, Seaham, Stanhope and Wolsingham. Most sites are open seven days a week; check the council website for individual site hours.

Collection frequency: Fortnightly