Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Drexel Heights
Trash Day
Varies by service provider (Private Subscription)
Recycling
Varies by service provider
Yard Waste
Varies by service provider
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash service is not billed through municipal taxes; residents set up individual accounts and pay directly to their chosen private waste provider.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly or Monthly (Varies by hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts vary depending on your selected private waste hauler.
Typically Black, Green, or Grey (varies by private hauler) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged and tied to prevent windblown litter. Lids must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Small, securely boxed thorny plant trimmings
Typically Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag your recyclables; place them loose inside the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Office paper and mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin beverage cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (labeled #1 and #2)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags or wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, clothing)
Yard Waste Bin
Unless your specific hauler provides a dedicated green waste bin, yard waste is typically disposed of in the regular trash. Cacti and thorny plants must be boxed in cardboard (max 25 lbs) to prevent worker injury.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches (cut to size)
- ✓Boxed cactus trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by subscription or self-haul
Placement
Place approved bulk items neatly at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled special pickup. Do not block sidewalks or mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Broken furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large yard debris (bundled)
- ✓ Appliances (non-freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and rock
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless a specific fee is paid)
Private haulers charge separate fees per scheduled bulk collection. Self-hauling to a Pima County landfill or transfer station incurs a gate fee based on load weight or volume.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on or before your scheduled pickup day, service will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Friday pickups will occur on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste schedules follow the same delay pattern as regular trash for private haulers.
Because Drexel Heights relies on private haulers, always verify specific holiday modifications directly with your chosen provider, as minor regional holidays may not disrupt service.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustDue to extreme desert heat, many private haulers start their routes earlier than usual. Place your bins at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day to ensure you aren't missed.
Monsoon
July to SeptemberHigh winds and flash storms can scatter trash across the neighborhood. Do not overfill your bins, ensure lids snap shut, and consider delaying curb placement until morning if a storm is forecasted overnight.
Winter/Spring
January to AprilThis is prime time for trimming back desert landscaping. Remember to chop branches into manageable pieces and securely box all thorny materials, such as cholla and prickly pear, to protect sanitation crews.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash Around Drexel Heights?
Hey neighbors! Did you know you can get a few bucks back for certain bottles and cans right here in Pima County? Arizona has a state redemption program, and while there aren't specific buyback centers right *in* Drexel Heights itself, you'll find places in the wider Tucson area that take your empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Keep an eye out for signs at local grocery stores or check with larger recycling centers in Tucson; they often have machines or drop-off points for these redemption items. It's a small way to help the planet and your wallet at the same time!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Our Community
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! Around Drexel Heights and the greater Tucson area, there are organizations that would be thrilled to have your old clothes, furniture, or household goods. Places like the Salvation Army Family Stores or Goodwill often have donation drop-off points nearby. If you've got larger furniture or building materials, Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Tucson are always looking for donations that help fund their mission. It's a win-win: declutter your space and help someone else out!
Keeping Our Neighborhood Sparkling: Special Hauls & Illegal Dumping Help
We all want Drexel Heights to look its best, right? If you've got bulkier items that don't fit in your regular bin, remember to check Pima County's options for special pick-ups or disposal sites. For anything that's considered hazardous – like old paint, batteries, or electronics – the county often holds special collection events. Keep an eye on local Pima County announcements for these opportunities. And if you ever spot illegal dumping, it's super important to report it. There are usually hotlines or online forms through Pima County Waste Management you can use to let them know where it is, helping to keep our beautiful desert surroundings clean for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Los Reales Sustainability Campus
5300 E Los Reales Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756
Materials Accepted
Sahuarita Transfer Station
16605 S La Cañada Dr, Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up trash collection in Drexel Heights?
Because Drexel Heights is an unincorporated part of Pima County, the local government does not provide trash pickup. You must set up an account with a private waste hauler permitted by the county (such as Republic Services or Hughes Sanitation) or choose to self-haul your waste to a local transfer station.
Where should I dispose of my glass bottles in Drexel Heights?
Glass is not accepted in curbside recycling bins in the Pima County region. Instead, residents should rinse their glass jars and bottles and drop them off at one of the designated purple glass recycling containers located throughout the Tucson area.
Can I throw cactus trimmings into my regular garbage bin?
Yes, but they require special preparation. Pima County solid waste guidelines mandate that all thorny plants and cactus trimmings be placed inside thick cardboard boxes (weighing no more than 25 pounds) before being thrown away to prevent sanitation workers from being stuck or injured.
What should I do if a monsoon blows my trash bin over?
It is the resident's responsibility to pick up any spilled trash. To prevent this, ensure your garbage is bagged, keep the bin lid fully closed, and try to place your cart at the curb on the morning of collection rather than the night before during active storm warnings.