THE LOCAL ANSWERTake oil-based paint to the free Household Hazardous Waste Center at 2115 East Club Boulevard, Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon. For latex, dry it with kitty litter or sand and put it in the trash. The center is for Durham city and county residents only, not businesses.
Durham takes oil-based paint free at its Household Hazardous Waste Center on East Club Boulevard, six days a week. Latex isn’t on the city’s list. Durham County’s guidance is to dry latex and put it in the trash.
One gate, three sites
The transfer station, yard waste site and hazardous waste center all sit at 2115 East Club Boulevard. Staff there direct traffic, so ask them to point you to the hazardous waste center; the transfer station itself takes no hazardous materials or liquids.
Dry your latex at home
The city’s accepted list names oil-based paint but not latex. Durham County’s paint guide says to add kitty litter or sand to leftover latex, let it dry solid, and throw it in the trash. Call Durham One Call at 919-560-1200 if you want to ask about bringing wet latex.
Avoid Saturday morning
The city says Saturday morning is the busiest time. On weekdays, 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. are also busy. Get inside the gate at least 15 minutes before closing.
County decal events are separate
Durham County holds its own hazardous waste days for unincorporated residents with a county decal, at the Northern Durham site on North Roxboro Road. The last ones were November 22, 2025 and June 6, 2026. No later date was posted as of October 7, 2026.