Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for El Mirage
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.
City-issued refuse barrel (Typically Black or Dark Green) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be securely bagged and tied before being placed in the barrel. Debris cannot protrude more than one foot above the rim. Overfilled barrels will be skipped.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household refuse
City-issued recycle barrel (Typically Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables. Items must be placed loosely in the barrel and should be empty, clean, and dry to prevent contamination of paper products.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper (newsprint, mail, office paper)
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Hazardous waste and motor oil
- ✕Construction materials (dirt, concrete)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕E-waste and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Standard yard clippings must be bagged and placed in your regular trash bin. Large tree branches must be saved for the Spring/Fall bulk events and must be cut to 4-foot segments, under 8 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings (bagged in trash)
- ✓Leaves and small weeds
- ✓Tree limbs (if registered for bulk event)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a year (Spring and Fall events)
Placement
Only approved bulk items should be placed neatly at the curb just prior to your assigned appointment week, ensuring the pile does not block sidewalks or driver visibility.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Broken furniture
- ✓ Tree limbs (cut to 4-foot lengths, max 8 inches wide)
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Remodeling debris (rocks, cement, tile)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, pool chemicals)
- ✕ Vehicles or car parts
- ✕ Televisions and computers (e-waste)
A $10 fee is applied to your utility bill for participating in a city bulk event. For items between events, you must call Parks & Sons for a private special haul quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day. Please refer to the official City of El Mirage holiday PDF schedule for precise routing shifts.
Yard Waste Exception
El Mirage does not have a separate weekly yard waste route; green waste follows the standard holiday delay for regular trash.
Parks & Sons routes continue normally on minor federal holidays. Only the major holidays listed will cause a one-day delay to your Monday or Thursday service.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose Recyclables Only
Never throw bagged recyclables or plastic grocery bags into your recycling barrel. Plastic films wrap around sorting screens at the recycling facility, causing dangerous equipment jams.
Keep the Heavy Stuff Out
Dirt, cement, rocks, and roofing tiles belong in a specialized heavy-duty roll-off, not your curbside cart. Heavy materials cause trucks to break down and will result in skipped pickups.
Ban the Batteries
Car batteries, lithium-ion electronics, and wet paint are major fire hazards. These must be taken to specialized household hazardous waste drop-off sites or electronic recyclers.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberTo beat the intense Arizona summer heat, trucks hit the streets early. Barrels must be placed at the curb by 5:00 AM on your collection day, as automated routes wait for no one.
Spring & Fall
February-March & August-SeptemberThis is registration season for the City's bi-annual bulk trash events. Keep an eye on your utility bill inserts and the city website so you don't miss the strict sign-up windows.
Monsoon
July to SeptemberFierce monsoon microbursts can knock over unbagged trash, creating massive neighborhood litter issues. Ensure every piece of garbage is tied securely in a bag and lids are closed tight to prevent wind scattering.
About El Mirage Waste Management
Navigating the Dual-Section Collection Schedule
El Mirage simplifies its residential solid waste program by coordinating curbside trash and recycling pickups on the exact same day. The city is geographically split into two main service zones based on El Mirage Road. If you live on the Eastside (Section 1), your automated collection day is Monday. For residents living on the Westside (Section 2), your scheduled service day falls on Thursday.
Automated Collection Rules and Barrel Clearances
To keep neighborhoods clean and collection routes highly efficient, El Mirage partners with Parks & Sons of Sun City. They utilize automated robotic arm trucks which require strict barrel placement. Residents must ensure there is a minimum of four feet of clearance around all bins. Keep them away from fences, mailboxes, and parked cars, and space multiple barrels at least three feet apart. The front handles should always face your home.
The Bi-Annual Bulk Trash Registration System
Unlike cities with continuous monthly bulk pickups, El Mirage hosts two targeted Bulk Trash Collection events each year—once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Participation is not automatic; residents must proactively register during a 3-4 week window preceding the event and hold an active utility account. A nominal $10 fee is applied directly to your subsequent utility bill for the scheduled pickup.
Disposing of Heavy Construction and Remodeling Debris
Southwestern landscaping and home renovations often generate dense, heavy waste like rocks, gravel, roofing shingles, and cement. These items are strictly prohibited in your standard city-issued barrels as they can destroy the automated lifting arms on the garbage trucks. To properly dispose of heavy dirt or construction debris, residents must contact Parks & Sons for a special roll-off dumpster arrangement or haul the materials directly to the nearby Glendale Landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Glendale Municipal Landfill
11480 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85307
Materials Accepted
Northwest Regional Landfill (WM)
19401 W Deer Valley Rd, Surprise, AZ 85387
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When does El Mirage collect trash and recycling?
Trash and recycling are collected on the same day depending on where you live. Homes east of El Mirage Road (Section 1) have their barrels serviced on Mondays, while homes west of El Mirage Road (Section 2) are serviced on Thursdays.
Can I put extra trash bags next to my city barrel?
No. The automated trucks operated by Parks & Sons cannot pick up loose bags on the ground. All refuse must be contained within the city-provided barrel, and the lid must close properly (no more than a one-foot gap). If you have excess trash, you must hold it until the next week or call for a special pickup.
How do I get rid of an old couch in El Mirage?
You can either register online for the City's bi-annual Spring or Fall bulk trash collection event (which costs $10), contact Parks & Sons directly for an immediate special pickup quote, or haul the couch yourself to the Glendale Landfill.
What time do I need to put my barrels on the street?
Your garbage and recycling barrels must be placed at the curb by 5:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Trucks start their routes very early, especially during the hot Arizona summer, and will not return for late set-outs.