Household Waste Recycling Centres across County Durham have officially moved to their summer opening hours as of 1 April 2026. This seasonal change extends operating hours until 30 September, providing residents with more flexibility for disposing of garden waste and completing spring and summer projects.
Most of the 12 facilities managed by Durham County Council are now open from 9:00am to 6:00pm, seven days a week. These sites, which are operated on behalf of the council by H W Martin Waste Ltd, previously closed at 3:30pm during the winter months.
While the majority of centres follow the daily 9:00am to 6:00pm schedule, some locations maintain different patterns. For instance, the sites at Thornley, Coxhoe, and Horden remain closed on Fridays, while Hett Hills and Stainton Grove are open only on weekends and Bank Holidays. The facility at Frosterley remains restricted to selected Saturdays throughout the year.
Residents are reminded that these recycling centres are strictly for those living within the Durham County Council area. Visitors may be asked to provide proof of address upon arrival. All sites are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and Bank Holidays operate using the standard weekend hours.
To help manage traffic and plan visits, the council provides an online interactive map on its website that shows real-time queue information for each centre. This tool highlights whether a site is open and uses indicators to warn of potential waiting times of 30 minutes or more.
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