Yard Waste

Yard waste collection is an optional fee-based program. For a $7.50 monthly fee, residents are enrolled into the yard waste program from July 1 to June 30. The service fee includes one cart. If a cart is at your residence and you apply for service you will be charged the standard monthly fee of $7.50. Note that this is an annual service agreement. Yard waste customers must notify Solid Waste Management in the event of address change.

Yard Waste applications can be mailed, faxed and/or uploaded and sent to the following email address: yardwaste@durhamnc.gov. The address and faxed number is listed on the application. Paid subscribers are entitled to two free collections of bulky brush. The resident will be charged for any additional debris removal.

Neither dirt nor rocks are considered yard waste. Allow up to three business days for missed carts to be collected.

If you are an exempt customer and have multiple yard waste carts, only one cart will be serviced at the house. All other carts and/or bags must be brought curbside for service.

Are You Ready To Become A Yard Waste Customer?     

Proper Way to Prepare Yard Waste for Collection
Yard waste must be set out with garbage by 6 a.m. for next-day collection. Yard waste carts are only serviced when the cart has been set out at the same time that the garbage is set out.
   
Yard waste will be collected if placed in the brown yard waste cart with current sticker, placed in brown biodegradable paper bags, and/or bundled appropriately. 

  1. Carts
  2. Bundles
  3. Bags
  • No personal containers or garbage carts will be collected. 
  • Cart, with sticker, must be used first
  • Biodegradable bags can be used. 
  • Cart sticker should be placed in the appropriate place on the brown yard waste cart.* see picture 
  • Cart is rolled to the curb with the bar facing towards the street. 
  • Cart lid should be closed. 
  • If lid cannot close, yard waste can extend only two feet out of container
  • Weight of container must not exceed 175 pounds.
Exempt customers
 
If you are an exempt customer and have multiple yard waste carts, only one cart will be serviced at the house. All other carts and/or bags must be brought curbside for service.

Renewals


Renewals occur annually in July. Reminders will be delivered to monthly customers through the Citizens' Newsletter enclosed with the quarterly water bill. Reminders will be sent to residents using several of the city's outreach methods such as Facebook and Twitter, DTN (City's government television channel on Time Warner Cable channel 8), and in the City Manager's Report.