Phoenix Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Bulk Pickup & HHW Services
Phoenix Public Works provides waste collection services to approximately 450,000+ households across the city. This comprehensive guide covers everything Phoenix residents need to know about trash and recycling schedules, the NEW 2025 bulk trash appointment system, household hazardous waste home collection, transfer stations, and e-waste disposal.
Last Updated: January 25, 2025
Finding Your Phoenix Trash & Recycling Schedule
Phoenix provides weekly trash collection and weekly recycling collection for all residential solid waste customers. Both services run Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How to Find Your Collection Day
1. Interactive Schedule Map Visit the Phoenix Public Works website and enter your address:
2. PHX Customer Services Call 602-262-6251 to speak with a representative who can provide your schedule.
3. PHX Connect Mobile App Download the PHX Connect app (iOS/Android) to access your collection schedule and request services.
Collection Details
Trash Collection:
- Once per week (same day each week)
- Collection hours: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Use city-provided trash containers
- Set out containers by 6:00 AM on collection day
Recycling Collection:
- Once per week (same day as trash)
- Different truck from trash collection
- May be picked up at different time than trash on same day
- Use city-provided blue recycling containers
- Single-stream recycling (all recyclables together)
⚠️ Set-Out Rules:
- Containers must be at curb by 6:00 AM on collection day
- Place containers away from obstacles (cars, mailboxes, trees)
- Lids must close completely
- Don't overload containers
NEW 2025 Bulk Trash Appointment System
🚨 MAJOR CHANGE: Phoenix has eliminated the old quarterly bulk trash schedule. As of January 2025, customers now schedule bulk pickups by appointment.
How the New System Works
📅 Annual Allowance: Each residential customer receives 4 bulk trash collections per calendar year (resets January 1).
📞 Schedule in Advance: Appointments must be made at least 3 business days in advance.
🗓️ YOU Choose When: No more waiting for quarterly pickup weeks - schedule when YOU need it.
How to Schedule Bulk Trash Pickup
Online (Recommended):
- Visit www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/bulk-trash
- Log in or create account
- Schedule your pickup date (3+ business days out)
Phone:
- Call 602-262-6251 (PHX Customer Services)
- Have your account number ready
- Request available pickup date
PHX Connect App:
- Download app (iOS/Android)
- Schedule bulk pickup through the app
What Qualifies as Bulk Trash
✅ Accepted Items:
- Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses, dressers)
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers)
- Water heaters and furnaces
- Carpet and padding (rolled and tied, max 4 feet long)
- Large household items that don't fit in trash container
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, batteries)
- Electronics (TVs, computers - see e-waste section)
- Tires (take to tire retailers)
- Construction debris from remodeling
- Yard waste (use green organics cart)
- Liquids of any kind
Bulk Trash Set-Out Rules
When to Set Out:
- No earlier than one week before your scheduled appointment
- No later than 6:00 AM on appointment day
Where to Place:
- Curbside or alley (depending on your service)
- Away from containers, mailboxes, poles, trees
- Not blocking sidewalks or streets
⚠️ Violations: Setting out items too early or after using all 4 annual pickups may result in non-collection.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection
Phoenix offers a FREE household hazardous waste home collection service for residential solid waste customers. This unique program brings HHW pickup directly to your home.
HHW Home Collection Program
How It Works:
- Home pickup service - HHW collected at your residence
- FREE for residential customers with solid waste account
- Collection hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Limit: 1 HHW home collection per customer per calendar year
How to Schedule HHW Home Pickup
Email (Recommended):
- Contact: hhwcollection@phoenix.gov
- Include: Name, address, phone number, list of items
Phone:
- Call 602-262-6251 (PHX Customer Services)
- Request HHW home collection
What Happens:
- HHW team contacts you to confirm appointment
- Set out materials on scheduled day
- Trained technicians collect and transport safely
What HHW Home Collection Accepts
✅ Accepted Hazardous Materials:
- Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
- Paint thinners, solvents, turpentine
- Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
- Household cleaners and chemicals
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers
- Pool chemicals
- Batteries (car, rechargeable, lithium, alkaline)
- Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
- Mercury-containing items (thermostats, thermometers)
- Aerosol cans (partially full)
- Fire extinguishers
- Propane tanks (small camping size)
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Latex/water-based paint (dry it out and trash it)
- Commercial/business waste
- Explosives or ammunition
- Radioactive materials
- Medical sharps (use pharmacy drop boxes)
Battery Drop-Off Event
Phoenix hosts a special battery collection event in 2025:
📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Location: Steele Indian School Park (enter from N. Central Ave. via Farrington Dr.)
- Accepts: All battery types (alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, car batteries)
- FREE - no appointment needed
Phoenix Transfer Stations
Phoenix operates transfer stations where residents can drop off certain materials. Note: Household hazardous waste is NOT accepted at transfer stations - use home HHW collection instead.
North Gateway Transfer Station
📍 Location: 30205 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85085
🕒 Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Closed Sundays and holidays
What's Accepted:
- General household waste (trash)
- Bulk items (furniture, appliances)
- Scrap metal
- Clean concrete and dirt (fees may apply)
- Green waste/yard waste
What's NOT Accepted:
- Regulated hazardous waste
- Electronics (see e-waste section)
- Tires
- Liquids
💰 Fees: Fees apply for some materials. Residential loads under certain weight may be free. Contact station for current fee schedule.
Electronics (E-Waste) Disposal
Phoenix residents have multiple options for responsibly disposing of electronics.
"I RECYCLE PHX" Events
Keep Phoenix Beautiful hosts free electronics recycling events throughout the year:
- Multiple events annually at various locations
- Accepts TVs, computers, monitors, printers, phones, tablets
- Check keepphxbeautiful.org/i-recycle-phoenix for 2025 event schedule
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Many national retailers offer free electronics recycling:
- Best Buy: Accepts most electronics (limit 3 items per day, fee for TVs over 32")
- Staples: Accepts computers, monitors, printers
- Apple: Free recycling for Apple products at Apple Stores
- Home Depot: Small electronics and rechargeable batteries
Private E-Waste Recyclers
Certified e-waste recyclers in Phoenix area accept electronics for free or small fee. Search for R2 or e-Stewards certified facilities.
Recycling Guidelines
Phoenix uses single-stream recycling, meaning all recyclables go in the same blue container. The city operates a Materials Recovery Facility to sort materials.
What to Recycle
Paper & Cardboard:
- ✅ Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
- ✅ Office paper, junk mail, phone books
- ✅ Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✅ Paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
- ❌ Soiled paper or cardboard (pizza boxes with grease)
- ❌ Shredded paper
- ❌ Waxed cardboard
Plastic:
- ✅ Plastic bottles (#1, #2)
- ✅ Plastic jugs and containers
- ✅ Yogurt cups, take-out containers
- ❌ Plastic bags (return to grocery stores)
- ❌ Styrofoam
- ❌ Plastic film or wrap
Glass:
- ✅ Bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✅ Food containers
- ❌ Window glass, mirrors
- ❌ Ceramics, dishes
- ❌ Light bulbs (take to HHW collection)
Metal:
- ✅ Aluminum cans and foil
- ✅ Steel/tin cans
- ✅ Empty aerosol cans
- ❌ Scrap metal (take to transfer station)
Recycling Rules
🧼 RINSE & CLEAN: Empty and rinse all containers. Food contamination ruins batches of recyclables.
📦 FLATTEN BOXES: Break down cardboard boxes to save space.
🚫 NO BAGS: Do not bag recyclables. Place loose items in blue cart.
🔍 WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT: If unsure, put it in trash to avoid contaminating recycling stream.
Green Organics (Yard Waste) Collection
Phoenix provides weekly green organics collection using green carts for yard waste and food scraps (where applicable).
What Goes in Green Cart
✅ Accepted:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves and plant trimmings
- Branches and twigs (small, fits in cart)
- Flowers and weeds
- Food scraps (if enrolled in food waste pilot program)
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Dirt or rocks
- Plastic bags
- Animal waste
- Treated wood
Large Yard Waste
For larger yard waste that doesn't fit in green cart:
- Use bulk trash appointment (counts toward annual 4 pickups)
- Bundle branches with twine (max 4 feet long, 50 lbs)
- Take to North Gateway Transfer Station (fees may apply)
Holiday Collection Schedule
Phoenix observes limited holidays for waste collection. Most holidays do NOT affect collection.
2025 Holiday Schedule
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2025):
- NO COLLECTION on Christmas Day
- If your normal day is Thursday, collection moves to Friday, December 26
- If your normal day is Friday, collection moves to Saturday, December 27
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27, 2025):
- COLLECTION OCCURS on normal schedule
- No delay for Thanksgiving
All Other Holidays:
- New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day: Normal collection
- No delays or changes
🎄 Christmas Trees: Special Christmas tree collection program runs in January (check phoenix.gov for dates).
What NOT to Put in Trash or Recycling
⚠️ Prohibited Items (Use proper disposal methods):
❌ Household Hazardous Waste → Schedule HHW home collection
- Paint, chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, batteries
❌ Electronics → Take to "I RECYCLE PHX" events or retailer take-back
- TVs, computers, monitors, printers, phones
❌ Medical Sharps → Use pharmacy drop boxes
- Needles, syringes, lancets
❌ Medications → Use pharmacy take-back programs
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
❌ Tires → Return to tire retailers
- Most tire shops accept old tires when buying new
❌ Construction Debris → Hire private hauler or rent dumpster
- Large quantities from remodeling projects
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do I do if my trash or recycling wasn't picked up?
Report a missed collection:
- Online: Visit phoenix.gov/publicworks and submit request
- Phone: Call 602-262-6251 (PHX Customer Services)
- App: Use PHX Connect app to report issue
The Public Works Department will investigate and collect within 1-2 business days if the complaint is valid.
2. Can I get an extra trash or recycling container?
Yes, residents can request additional containers:
- Call 602-262-6251 (PHX Customer Services)
- Additional containers may have monthly fee
- Specify size needed (32-gallon, 64-gallon, or 96-gallon)
Alternative: Residents can use their own containers as long as they have handles and lids that close.
3. How do I dispose of latex (water-based) paint?
Latex paint is NOT hazardous and should NOT be included in HHW home collection.
Disposal method:
- Dry it out: Remove lid and let paint air-dry completely, or mix with cat litter/sawdust
- Trash it: Once completely dry and solid, place the can in your regular trash
Only oil-based paints should be included in HHW home collection.
4. What if I used all 4 bulk trash pickups and need more?
If you've used all 4 annual bulk trash appointments:
- Wait until January 1 for your allowance to reset
- Take items to North Gateway Transfer Station (fees may apply)
- Hire a private junk removal service for additional pickups
- Donate or sell usable items instead of disposing
The 4-pickup limit is strictly enforced.
5. Can I recycle plastic bags in my blue cart?
NO - Plastic bags are NOT accepted in Phoenix's curbside recycling.
Where to recycle plastic bags:
- Return to grocery stores (most have collection bins near entrance)
- Participating retailers: Fry's, Safeway, Walmart, Target
Accepted at stores:
- Grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags
- Newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags
- Ziploc bags (clean and dry)
- Bubble wrap and plastic shipping materials
Plastic bags damage sorting equipment at recycling facilities.
Quick Disposal Reference Table
| Item | Regular Trash | Recycling | Bulk Appointment | HHW Collection | Transfer Station | Other | |------|---------------|-----------|------------------|----------------|------------------|-------| | Household trash | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | - | | Cardboard boxes | ❌ | ✅ (flattened) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | - | | Plastic bottles | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Glass bottles/jars | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Aluminum/tin cans | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Furniture | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (4/year) | ❌ | ✅ (fees) | - | | Appliances | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (4/year) | ❌ | ✅ (fees) | - | | Electronics | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | I RECYCLE PHX, retailers | | Oil-based paint | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (1/year) | ❌ | - | | Latex paint (dried) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Dry first | | Batteries | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (1/year) | ❌ | Oct 9 event, retailers | | Yard waste | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (bundled) | ❌ | ✅ | Green cart | | Sharps/needles | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy drop boxes | | Medications | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy take-back | | Plastic bags | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Grocery store bins | | Tires | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Tire retailers |
Official Phoenix Resources
🏛️ Phoenix Public Works Department:
- Website: www.phoenix.gov/publicworks
- General info: www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/residential-trash-recycling
📅 Collection Schedule Finder:
☎️ PHX Customer Services:
- Phone: 602-262-6251
- Email: cityservicesbill@phoenix.gov
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
📱 PHX Connect Mobile App:
- iOS: Download from Apple App Store
- Android: Download from Google Play Store
🗑️ Bulk Trash Appointments:
- Schedule online: www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/bulk-trash
☣️ Household Hazardous Waste:
- Email: hhwcollection@phoenix.gov
- Info: www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/hhw
🔋 Battery Drop-Off Event:
- Oct 9, 2025, 3-6pm at Steele Indian School Park
♻️ "I RECYCLE PHX" E-Waste Events:
📍 North Gateway Transfer Station:
- Address: 30205 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85085
- Phone: 602-262-6251
- Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30am-5pm, Sat 6am-3pm
🎄 Holiday Schedule:
About This Guide: This Phoenix resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Public Works Department policies and City of Phoenix regulations. The NEW bulk trash appointment system began January 2025. Policies may change - always verify current information on official phoenix.gov websites or by calling 602-262-6251.
Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Phoenix Public Works Department, phoenix.gov official resources, North Gateway Transfer Station, HHW collection program, Keep Phoenix Beautiful.