No city trash pickup Wednesday, so Wednesday and Thursday routes slide a day. City and county offices, libraries and parks close; GoDurham buses run as normal.

There is no City of Durham trash, recycling or yard waste pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Wednesday routes go out Thursday, and Thursday routes go out Friday. Most city and Durham County offices close for the day, but GoDurham buses run on their normal weekday schedule.

The city set out its holiday changes in a Nov. 2 notice. The county posted its own Oct. 29 notice. Everything reopens on normal hours Thursday, Nov. 12.

Trash, recycling and yard waste

The city’s notice moves two collection days this week:

Your normal pickup day This week
Wednesday, Nov. 11 Thursday, Nov. 12
Thursday, Nov. 12 Friday, Nov. 13

Collection returns to normal the week of Nov. 16, the city said. Also closed Wednesday:

  • the city’s Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, including the Yard Waste Facility and the Household Hazardous Waste Center
  • the city’s Solid Waste Management Division office
  • all three Durham County convenience sites for residents outside the city

County convenience sites reopen Thursday for anyone with a current 2026-2027 decal. County roadside recycling is not affected this week, the county said. Put bins at the curb by 6 a.m. on your normal day.

The city’s free Durham Rollout app sends pickup reminders for your address. Our trash and recycling guide has the full schedule, including the Thanksgiving change.

What is closed Wednesday

City of Durham:

  • City Hall and all non-emergency city offices
  • Durham Parks and Recreation’s office and all its facilities
  • the Park Durham Customer Service Center
  • Durham One Call (submit requests online or in the app; staff pick them up Thursday)

Durham County:

  • most county offices
  • all Durham County Library locations
  • the Department of Public Health and the Department of Social Services
  • the Sheriff’s Office administration and records division
  • Cooperative Extension, whose programs that day are canceled

Durham Public Schools are also closed. The district’s 2026-27 calendar lists Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a Veterans Day holiday for traditional-calendar schools.

What stays open

  • Buses: GoDurham and GoDurham ACCESS run regular weekday service. Call 919-485-7433 for updates.
  • Parking: on city holidays, on-street spaces, city-owned surface lots and some city-owned garages are free, the city said. Check ParkDurham.org for which ones. The Chapel Hill Street Garage is closed for Duke Energy work until 5 a.m. Friday; our road closures page has the details.
  • Emergencies: 911 and sheriff’s patrol deputies work as normal. The Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line is 919-560-0900.
  • Urgent public health reports: call 911 and ask for the Department of Public Health’s on-call responder.
  • Abuse and neglect reports: for a child, call 919-560-4600; for an adult, 984-243-1280. Both reach an on-call social worker.
  • Soil tests: Cooperative Extension’s outdoor drop-off box at 721 Foster St. stays open for soil sample boxes.

What it means for you

  • Wednesday pickup? Roll your carts out Thursday morning instead.
  • Thursday pickup? Wait until Friday.
  • Need the library, a rec center or the dump? Go Tuesday or Thursday.
  • Commuting by bus? Nothing changes.

The county’s buildings are lit green through Wednesday for veterans. Our earlier story explains the free green bulbs and Operation Green Light.