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Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 6.00pm on Monday 2 October until 8.00am on Tuesday 3 October: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Waste collection policies


We've made a commitment to you to provide waste and recycling services which meet your needs and are good value for money. Our refuse and recycling (bin) collection policy supports this commitment and explains how we carry this out.

Waste collection priorities

Our research shows that your priorities include:

  • regular and reliable bin collections 
  • streets are left clean afterwards 

Waste collection commitment - service standards

The waste collection commitment sets out ten service standards. We will:

  1. Explain clearly what waste collection services residents can expect to receive. 
  2. Provide regular bin collections. 
  3. Provide a reliable bin collection service. 
  4. Consider any special requests that individual households may have. 
  5. Design services and carry out bin collections in a way that doesn't produce litter. 
  6. Collect as many materials for recycling as we can and explain what happens to them clearly. 
  7. Explain what our service rules are and the reasons for them. 
  8. Tell residents in good time about changes to services, including temporary changes. 
  9. Respond to complaints. 
  10. Tell all residents about our commitment to collecting waste. 

The waste collection commitment has been developed in conjunction with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Local Government Association.

Our bin collection policy

The Icon for pdf Durham County Council Refuse and Recycling Collection Policy (PDF, 522.7kb)  outlines:

  • how we will provide rubbish and recycling collection services
  • what is required from residents
Contact us
Waste Management
03000 26 1000
Our address is:
  • Durham County Council
  • County Hall
  • Durham
  • County Durham
  • United Kingdom
  • DH1 5UQ