RECYCLING & COMPOSTING IN DURHAM, NC
Hard-to-Recycle Pickup & Composting Service in Durham
Recycle more and throw away less with convenient doorstep collection from The ReCollective.
We collect plastic film, crinkly packaging, textiles, styrofoam, batteries, light bulbs, electronics during scheduled months and rotating ReCo Pick materials. Eligible Durham households can also add food scrap collection through OneStop.
WHAT WE COLLECT
Hard-to-recycle materials picked up in Durham
Members can recycle multiple material categories every month, along with additional specialty materials collected throughout the year.
Stretchy plastic bags and wraps, including grocery bags, bread bags, shipping film and similar materials.
Non-stretchy snack bags, wrappers, pouches, coffee bags and other accepted crinkly packaging.
Accepted clothing, fabric and household textiles that need a responsible next use.
Accepted styrofoam packaging that is not typically collected through local curbside recycling.
Accepted batteries and light bulbs collected during scheduled collection months.
Rotating specialty collections that help members recycle even more throughout the year.
Convenient food scrap collection available to eligible addresses through The ReCollective’s OneStop service.
+See the Complete List
Review all accepted materials, sorting instructions, add-ons and rotating collections.
Explore all materials →LOCAL CURBSIDE LOOKUP
Not sure what belongs in your City of Durham recycling cart?
The City of Durham’s Waste Wizard helps residents search for a household item and find the appropriate recycling, reuse, drop-off or disposal option.
City curbside recycling and The ReCollective accept different materials. Check the Waste Wizard for conventional recycling, then review our materials page for doorstep hard-to-recycle options.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Choose the service that fits your household
Start with monthly hard-to-recycle pickup or combine recycling and food scrap collection with OneStop.
RECYCLING SERVICE
Hard-to-Recycle Pickup
Convenient monthly collection for materials that are difficult to recycle through traditional curbside programs.
- Plastic Film & Bags
- Crinkly Packaging
- Textiles
- Batteries
- Light Bulbs
- Styrofoam
- ReCo Picks (20+ materials per year that rotate)
- Starter kit of canvas ReCo bags
- Clean reusable canvas bags each month
- On-demand support
- Text/Email reminders
- Sharing with Friends is encouraged!
ONESTOP SERVICE
Recycling & Food Scraps
Combine monthly hard-to-recycle collection with recurring food scrap pickup using your purple OneStop bin.
- Everything in Hard-to-Recycle service
- Purple food scrap collection bin
- Food scrap pickup at your selected frequency
- Monthly hard-to-recycle collection
- Bin cleaning and replacement bin service
- Impact reporting
- Compost or specialty recycling rewards
- Optional additional food scrap bin
Customize your membership
Add extra capacity, #1 clamshell recycling, #5 plastic recycling, fluorescent tubes and other specialty services to an upcoming pickup.
DURHAM INTRODUCTORY OFFER
Try doorstep service with code DURHAMFREE
Get a free month of Hard-to-Recycle service or $19 in savings on OneStop compost service. The ReCollective also offers a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied after your first month.
SIMPLE DOORSTEP SERVICE
How The ReCollective works
Collect accepted materials at home, set them out on your scheduled pickup day and let The ReCollective take care of the rest.
Collect
Place accepted hard-to-recycle materials in the labeled reusable ReCo bags provided with your membership.
Set Out
Put your bags in your designated pickup location before your scheduled service time.
Recycle
We collect, sort and route your materials to trusted recycling and reuse partners.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Durham recycling and composting FAQs
What can I recycle with The ReCollective in Durham?
The ReCollective collects plastic film and bags, crinkly packaging, textiles, styrofoam, batteries, light bulbs, scheduled electronics and rotating materials offered throughout the year.
View the current accepted materials listDoes The ReCollective pick up styrofoam in Durham?
Yes. Accepted styrofoam is included with both Hard-to-Recycle and OneStop memberships.
Can I recycle plastic bags and plastic film in Durham?
Yes. Accepted stretchy plastic film and bags are included with monthly hard-to-recycle pickup.
Does The ReCollective offer compost pickup in Durham?
Yes. OneStop combines hard-to-recycle collection with food scrap pickup for eligible Durham addresses. Twice-monthly and weekly options are available based on the selected plan.
Check your addressHow often is recycling picked up in Durham?
Hard-to-recycle materials are collected monthly. OneStop members receive food scrap pickup at their selected service frequency and choose one pickup each month for hard-to-recycle materials.
Can I drop off food scraps at Durham Farmers’ Market?
Yes. Visit The ReCollective table on Saturday mornings to sign up for the organics drop-off program. Members bring food scraps and exchange their Purple Bin during market hours.
Learn about Durham Farmers’ Market compost drop-offHow do I check what belongs in a City of Durham recycling cart?
Use the City of Durham Waste Wizard to search for an item. The ReCollective is an additional doorstep service for accepted materials that are not handled through standard curbside recycling.
Open the Durham recycling guideHow much does The ReCollective cost in Durham?
Pricing varies based on the service and pickup frequency you select.
View current plans and pricing
ROOTED IN DURHAM
Local and regional partners help materials find a next use
The ReCollective sorts collected materials at our Durham warehouse and works with recycling, reuse and community partners to help give them a responsible next destination.
Members can also purchase eligible Fillaree soap refills through the member shop for delivery with a scheduled collection.
MORE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Other recycling and composting options in Durham
Doorstep pickup is not the only way Durham residents can use The ReCollective.
COMMUNITY COMPOST DROP-OFF
Durham Farmers’ Market
Visit The ReCollective table on Saturday mornings to sign up for organics drop-off, then bring food scraps and exchange your Purple Bin during market hours.
Explore the Durham drop-off → Visit Durham Farmers’ Market →MAILBACK RECYCLING
Almost Anything Mailback Bag
Outside the local pickup area or sending a bag to someone elsewhere? Use our convenient mailback service for accepted hard-to-recycle materials.
Explore the Mailback Bag →READY TO GET STARTED?
Recycle more from your Durham home
Choose your service, receive your collection supplies and begin keeping more valuable materials out of the trash.