Latest News

DURHAM, N.C. – Most City of Durham offices will be closed Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2009, as well as Friday, January 1, 2010, in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  Durham residents are asked to take note of the following changes in City services:

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections
The City’s Department of Solid Waste Management will be closed on Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1.  There are no changes to either the recycling or garbage collection schedules.  Friday bulky item and yard waste collections will occur on Monday, December 28 and Monday, January 4.

Residents are reminded to place their carts at the curb by 7 a.m. the day of their scheduled collections and to return garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers back to their home, away from street, curb, and sidewalk.  As traffic increases during the holiday season, motorists are also asked to be aware of collection crews working in neighborhoods and other high-traffic areas.  For more information about the City’s Department of Solid Waste Management, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center
The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closing early on Thursday, December 24 at 3 p.m., and closed on Friday, December 25, Saturday, December 26, and Friday, January 1.  For more information about the City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/wr_transfer.cfm.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will be closed on Friday, December 25, Saturday, December 26, and Friday, January 1.  For more information about the City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/hazardous_waste.cfm. 

Curbside Christmas Tree Collection
The Department of Solid Waste Management will collect Christmas trees from all Solid Waste customers from January 4-29, 2010.  Trees should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on residents’ normal household garbage collection day.  Residents are asked to leave the tree at the curb for one week before contacting Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 to report a missed tree collection.

Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half.  Residents should also remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, garland, and ornaments, as well as stands, nails, and other hardware.  Residents are also asked to not place trees in bags.

Christmas trees may also be dropped off at the City’s Waste Disposal & Recycling Center at 2115 E. Club Blvd., Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at no charge until January 29.  Trees delivered after that date will be subject to the usual disposal fees.

Remember To Recycle
Residents are encouraged to recycle year-round and particularly during the holiday season when the amounts of trash generated increases. Paper holiday waste, including wrapping  paper (non-metallic only), cardboard boxes, and greeting cards may be placed in the blue recycling cart. To learn more about recycling, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/recycle_curb_collection.cfm.

Durham Area Transit Authority
On Friday, December 25, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and ACCESS will not operate.  On Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31, DATA and ACCESS will operate on its normal schedule, however service ends at 7:30 p.m.  On Friday, January 1, DATA and ACCESS will operate on the Sunday/Holiday schedule in which service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  DATA’s administration office will be closed on Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, and Friday, January 1.  For more information regarding DATA’s holiday schedule, contact (919) 485-RIDE or visit http://data.durhamnc.gov.

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will close its administrative office, all recreation centers, all neighborhood centers, and all indoor rental sites on Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, and Friday, January 1.  On Wednesday, December 23, and Thursday, December 31, all recreation center facilities will close at 6 p.m.  For more information regarding DPR’s schedule, visit www.DPRPlayMore.org.

Durham One Call
Durham One Call will be closed on Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, and Friday, January 1.  However, residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City’s Web site at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/onecall or by leaving a message with Durham One Call’s after-hours answering service.  All requests will be forwarded to Durham One Call the next business day. 

For information about the City’s holiday schedule and the services that will be affected, residents should contact Durham One Call weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (919) 560-1200 or visit www.durhamnc.gov.