Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Avondale
Arizona residential routes operate weekly (Mon-Fri) depending on your neighborhood zone. Some municipalities shift to earlier collection hours during extreme summer heat.
State Mandate
Ensure trash is bagged to prevent debris from scattering during high desert winds.
Black/Green Bin (Trash)
Place containers at the curb by 5:00 a.m. Ensure containers are spaced a minimum of 4 feet apart from each other and away from mailboxes, parked cars, and utility poles so the automated arm can safely grab them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Small amounts of bagged yard debris
Blue or Tan Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recycling in plastic garbage bags, as they will jam the equipment at the materials recovery facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Glass bottles (often restricted in West Valley single stream)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard debris
Yard Waste Bin
Small, everyday yard waste should be bagged and placed in your regular trash bin. Large brush and tree limbs must be saved for your monthly bulk pickup week and count toward your 3-cubic-yard limit.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Cactus clippings (safely boxed)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly (assigned by Zone A, B, C, or D)
Placement
Place items directly behind the curb or at the street edge, not on the sidewalk or deep on private property. Keep the pile clear of water meters, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (with refrigerants safely removed)
- ✓ Yard waste and heavy brush
- ✓ Boxed cacti
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction or demolition debris (drywall, tile)
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, or rocks
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Appliances containing freon (refrigerators, AC units)
The service is included in your standard city utility bill as long as you do not exceed the 3-cubic-yard limit. Any waste beyond this limit will be left at the curb and requires a private hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major winter holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day. Notably, summer holidays like Independence Day often do not interrupt regular service in Avondale.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk zone collection weeks are usually unaffected by minor holidays, but if the Monday of your bulk week is a major holiday, collection might be slightly delayed during that week.
Holiday schedules can fluctuate year to year; always verify with Avondale Public Works at (623) 333-4400 during major holiday weeks to confirm your exact pickup day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. The plastic film wraps around the sorting gears at the recycling plant, causing major delays and safety hazards. Dump your items loosely into the bin.
Box the Cacti and Thorns
If you are trimming desert landscaping or cacti for your bulk collection, make sure the thorny debris is safely contained in thick, sealed cardboard boxes to prevent injuries to the collection crew.
Empty and Dry Matters
Ensure all plastic bottles and metal cans are free from food residue and liquid before tossing them in the recycling bin. A half-full soda can or unrinsed peanut butter jar can contaminate a whole batch of clean paper.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustWith extreme West Valley summer temperatures exceeding 110 degrees, food waste odors attract pests rapidly. Tie garbage bags tightly, keep bin lids completely closed, and always have bins out by 5:00 a.m. before the heat peaks.
Monsoon Season
July to SeptemberSudden monsoon microbursts can blow lightweight bins down the street, littering the neighborhood. Make sure lids are fully closed, and if severe overnight winds are forecasted, wait until early morning to roll your bins out.
Spring
March to MayThis is prime time for major yard cleanups. Remember that all green waste put out during your zone's bulk week counts toward your strict 3-cubic-yard limit. For full landscaping overhauls, renting a private dumpster is highly recommended.
About Avondale Waste Management
Navigating Avondale's Zoned Bulk Trash Program
Unlike many municipalities that only offer bulk pickup once or twice a year, the City of Avondale provides residents with a convenient monthly service. The city is divided into four geographical zones (A, B, C, and D). Depending on your zone, you have one designated week each month where city crews sweep through to collect large items.
Strict Limits on Monthly Bulk Piles
While the monthly bulk collection is a fantastic perk, it comes with strict volume rules. Avondale enforces a maximum limit of 3 cubic yards per household per month—roughly equivalent to the size of two standard sidewalk panels. If your pile exceeds this limit due to a major move or garage cleanout, the excess will be left behind and you may need to hire a private hauling service.
Beat the Desert Heat: 5:00 A.M. Set-Out Rule
Because extreme West Valley temperatures can pose severe safety risks to sanitation workers and cause truck equipment to overheat, Avondale requires all residential trash and recycling containers to be placed at the curb no later than 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
Handling Spiky Desert Landscaping
Trimming your xeriscape or removing an overgrown cactus? While green waste is accepted during your monthly bulk zone week, safety is paramount. Avondale requires that all thorny brush and cactus clippings be safely contained inside thick cardboard boxes to protect the crews handling your waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Avondale Public Works Yard (Special Events)
11465 W Civic Center Dr, Avondale, AZ 85323
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bulk trash can I put out each month in Avondale?
The City of Avondale strictly enforces a 3-cubic-yard limit per household each month. To visualize this, three cubic yards is roughly the size of two standard concrete sidewalk panels or a small pickup truck bed. Green waste counts toward this limit.
What time do I need to place my bins at the curb in Avondale?
To accommodate early routing and protect workers from extreme summer heat, you must have your trash and recycling containers at the curb by 5:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Does Avondale pick up trash on summer holidays like the 4th of July?
Typically, Avondale Public Works does not delay the trash pickup schedule for summer holidays like Independence Day. Schedule shifts (delayed by one day) are usually reserved for major winter holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Can I put remodeling and construction debris in my monthly bulk pile?
No. Construction and remodeling debris—such as drywall, concrete, roofing shingles, tile, and dirt—are strictly prohibited from the city's bulk pickup service. For these materials, you will need to rent a private roll-off dumpster or hire a junk removal service.