We collect rubbish and recycling from households in County Durham. You can find out your collection day by entering your postcode in the My Durham facility on the left hand side of this website.
New system of bin collections
Bin collections in County Durham are changing this year (2012).
In April, May and June, we will be introducing a new system of bin collections where your rubbish bin will be emptied one week and your recycling bin will be emptied the next week. The following week it's back to your rubbish bin, then recycling and so on.
We are making these changes because we need to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill. We need to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible to safeguard our environment for future generations. We also need to make our bin collection service more efficient.
What will change?
New recycling bin
Households in County Durham will receive a new bin for recycling, except for people living in the Derwentside area as this system is already in operation here. The bin will be grey with a blue lid. All recycling waste, apart from glass bottles and jars, will go in this bin. Glass will still go in the recycling box you currently use. Rubbish that cannot be recycled will go in the rubbish bin you currently use.
What can I put in my recycling bin and box?
There are a small number of properties that may not be suitable for storing a wheeled bin or may have restricted access. We will notify residents in these properties separately to inform them if there will be any changes to the current arrangements.
New system of collections
You will still have a collection every week but your rubbish and recycling will be collected on alternate weeks. One week your recycling bin and box will be emptied and the next week your rubbish bin will be emptied. This system is already in operation in the Derwentside area.
Watch our video which explains the changes. New system of rubbish and recycling collections
New collection day
Your bin collection day may change, wherever you live in the county. You can find out your new collection day by entering your postcode into My Durham on the left hand side of this web page. You will receive a collection calendar through the door, and a sticker on your bin telling you what your new collection day will be.
When will the changes happen?
The changes will be introduced at different times in different areas.
Chester-le-Street area
- New recycling bins have now been delivered to all households in the Chester-le-Street area. Please start using your new recycling bin straight away, putting it out on your current recycling day.
- Continue to put your bins out for collection on your current day until week commencing 2 April when you will switch to your new day. Check your collection calendar or My Durham to find out whether to put your rubbish bin, or recycling bin and box out for collection this week.
- Your rubbish and recycling will be collected on alternate weeks from week commencing 2 April.
Derwentside area
Sedgefield, Teesdale and Wear Valley areas
Latest information
We're currently delivering new recycling bins to residents in the Sedgefield, Teesdale and Wear Valley areas. From 20 February we'll be in Ferryhill, Aycliffe Village, West Cornforth, Spennymoor, Byers Green, Hett and Croxdale. Please start using your new recycling bin straight away, putting it out on your current recycling collection day.
- Continue to put your bins out for collection on your current day until week commencing 30 April when you will switch to your new day. Your new bin will have a sticker telling you what your new collection day will be. Check your collection calendar or My Durham to find out whether to put your rubbish bin, or recycling bin and box out for collection this week.
- Your rubbish and recycling will be collected on alternate weeks from week commencing 30 April.
Durham City and Easington areas
- You will receive your new recycling bin (grey bin with blue lid) in April or May with a sticker and collection calendar telling you what your new collection day will be.
- You can start using your new recycling bin straight away, putting it out on your current collection day.
- Please continue to put your bins out for collection on your current day until week commencing 11 June when you will switch to your new day. Check your collection calendar or My Durham to find out whether to put your rubbish bin, or recycling bin and box out for collection this week.
- Your rubbish and recycling will be collected on alternate weeks from week commencing 11 June.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any queries, check our frequently asked questions.
Further details on the new system of bin collections can also be found in the attached leaflet which was delivered to all homes with the council's guide to services in January.
Changes to your collections leaflet.pdf (5 pages, 939kb)
Changes to collections leaflet - Polish.pdf (5 pages, 1016kb)
An audio version of the leaflet is also available. Contact us using the details at the bottom of this page if you would like to borrow it.
If you have any other queries, contact us online or call the number at the bottom of the page.
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