Bins and recycling in County Durham
What goes in each of County Durham's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses Durham County Council's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by Durham County Council. If anything here differs from Durham County Council's website, the council is right.
Your bins in County Durham
Blue-lidded recycling bin
Rubbish bin
Food waste caddy
Garden waste bin (paid subscription)
Flat with shared bins: Flats and mixed-use buildings usually get large 1100 litre wheeled bins, one for recycling and one for rubbish, instead of a blue-lidded and rubbish bin each. Some residents may be asked to put recycling out in other containers, such as clear plastic bags. Food waste collections for flats and communal properties haven't started.
Source: Durham County Council's website.
Bin days in County Durham
Check your collection day with Durham County Council's bin day lookup, or use Bin days on this site.
Get the app
Snap a photo instead of typing, and get a reminder the evening before bin day.
Garden waste and bulky items
Garden waste collection is available. The sign-up page publishes no price; 2026 collections are 18 fortnightly collections that started on 17 March and run until November; subscribers by 13 February 2026 were guaranteed all 18; 2026 subscriptions closed on 1 September 2026 and there is no 2027 date yet. Season: Mar–Nov. (source)
Paid collection booked online: GBP 24 for up to 6 small items or 3 large items (extra items GBP 3 or GBP 6 each). It doesn't take plasterboard, asbestos, hazardous waste, tyres or gas bottles. Book or check prices with Durham County Council.
Recycling centres for County Durham
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Annfield Plain Household Waste Recycling Centre
Morrison Busty Industrial Estate, Annfield Plain, DH9 7XW
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, gloss or lead paint, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Frosterley Household Waste Recycling Centre
Bishop Auckland, DL13 2TJ
Opening hours: Open 9am to 12pm on selected Saturdays only (26 September, 10 and 24 October, 7 and 21 November, 5 and 19 December 2026, 2, 16 and 30 January 2027); check the council page for each year's dates.
Booking: No permit scheme; no booking needed. Only cars, small vans and 4x4s can get in; no larger vehicles.
A small, part-time site: no rubble, hardcore, soil, plasterboard, asbestos, tyres, upholstered furniture, paint, chemicals, shoes or textiles here, and wood must be untreated. Treated wood, hazardous waste and vapes are refused.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Heighington Household Waste Recycling Centre
Heighington Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6AP
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. Takes double-bagged cat and animal waste if staff are told. Collects unwanted football boots for the Re:Play scheme. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop. Checked 2026-10-12: the council lists asbestos and household and garden chemicals as taken at Annfield Plain, Horden, Romanway and Tudhoe only (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/1885/Household-hazardous-waste), so they are not taken here. Its notice says fridges and freezers are accepted only at a recycling centre with a hazardous waste permit, and it lists only those four, so they are not taken here.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Hett Hills Household Waste Recycling Centre
B6313 Chester-le-Street to Craghead, Chester-le-Street, DH2 3JX
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop. Checked 2026-10-12: the council lists asbestos and household and garden chemicals as taken at Annfield Plain, Horden, Romanway and Tudhoe only (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/1885/Household-hazardous-waste), so they are not taken here. Its notice says fridges and freezers are accepted only at a recycling centre with a hazardous waste permit, and it lists only those four, so they are not taken here.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Horden Household Waste Recycling Centre
B1283 Sunderland Road, Peterlee, SR8 3SX
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 4.00pm; Friday closed; Saturday and Sunday 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, gloss or lead paint, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Takes coffee pods. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Potterhouse Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre
Potterhouse Lane, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5RL
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. Collects unwanted football boots for the Re:Play scheme. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop. Checked 2026-10-12: the council lists asbestos and household and garden chemicals as taken at Annfield Plain, Horden, Romanway and Tudhoe only (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/1885/Household-hazardous-waste), so they are not taken here. Its notice says fridges and freezers are accepted only at a recycling centre with a hazardous waste permit, and it lists only those four, so they are not taken here.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Romanway Household Waste Recycling Centre
Romanway Industrial Estate, Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9AW
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, gloss or lead paint, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Stainton Grove Household Waste Recycling Centre
Stainton Grove Industrial Estate, DL12 8UH
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles.
Map position is the postcode centre. Doesn't take chemicals, gloss paint, asbestos or fridges. Has a reuse shop and takes coffee pods. Paint is sold in the shop, not given away. Tyres: maximum 5. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Tudhoe Household Waste Recycling Centre
Tudhoe Industrial Estate, Spennymoor, DL16 6TL
Opening hours: Winter (October to March): every day 9.00am to 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; other bank holidays use weekend hours.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free waste permit is needed for vans, pick-ups, trailers under 3m and 9 to 16 seat vehicles, and a free hazardous waste permit for chemicals, gloss or lead paint, asbestos and fridges or freezers.
Map position is the postcode centre. One of four tips taking hazardous waste with a permit. Takes coffee pods. Tyres: maximum 5. Free paint available. The council says textiles and shoes cannot currently be recycled here (https://www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc); take them to a charity shop.
Source: durham.gov.uk
Where common items go in County Durham
- Pizza boxYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Plastic carrier bagNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Crisp packetNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Black plastic ready-meal trayThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Rubbish bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Paper coffee cupThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Rubbish bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Food scraps and leftoversYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy. Source: Durham County Council
- Tea bagYes. Put it in your Food waste caddy. Source: Durham County Council
- ClothesNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Battery (not sure which type)Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Disposable vapeNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Light bulb (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Durham County Council
- Small household applianceNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Durham County Council
- Paint tinNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Durham County Council
- Real Christmas treeNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Durham County Council
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Blue-lidded recycling bin. Source: Durham County Council
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Rubbish bin. Source: Durham County Council
Something else? Search any item and choose County Durham as your council.
How County Durham compares
- Weekly shop basket Collects 19 of 22 everyday packaging items from home. Joint 100th of 279 councils in England. Not collected from home: Black plastic ready-meal tray, Crisp packet, Bread bag
- Recycling rate 36.8% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). Joint 58th of 97 councils that collect waste and run the tips in England.
- Food waste Collected from home every week.
As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.
Common questions
What goes in the blue-lidded recycling bin in County Durham?
Paper, card, cartons, glass bottles and jars, food tins and drink cans, foil, aerosols, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. Put items in loose, not in bags.
What goes in the rubbish bin in County Durham?
General household waste that can't be recycled: nappies, wipes, pet waste, polystyrene, plastic film and crisp packets, ready meal trays.
What goes in the food waste caddy in County Durham?
All food for people or pets, including bones, peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and out-of-date food without packaging. Liners are optional.
What goes in the garden waste bin (paid subscription) in County Durham?
Grass, leaves, weeds, flowers, hedge clippings, prunings and branches thinner than 7cm. Loose, with no bags.
When is my bin day in County Durham?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in Durham County Council's bin day lookup (durham.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.