Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mesa
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 Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be securely bagged and tied to prevent pests. The lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Bagged grass clippings (if not using the green barrel)
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose, clean, and dry. Never place recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag or grocery sack.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Hard plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Yard clippings
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Must subscribe to the optional Green Barrel program. Yard waste must be completely unbagged and free of any trash, plastic, or food scraps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and flowers
- ✓Tree branches and twigs
- ✓Weeds and grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by scheduling an appointment.
Placement
Place bulk piles at the end of your driveway or property line, making sure not to block sidewalks or the street. Keep piles clear of regular trash barrels, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators require a separate request)
- ✓ Yard trimmings (bundled or bagged)
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Up to 4 passenger tires off the rim
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
- ✕ Roofing materials and construction debris
- ✕ Unbagged household trash
- ✕ Commercial or business waste
Bulk collection in Mesa is a paid service; fees start at $29.00 per standard load (approximately 4'x8'x4'). Major appliances and refrigerant removals may incur separate recycling fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Mesa operates its residential trash and recycling collections 365 days a year. There are absolutely no delays or service interruptions for any holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Green Yard Waste Barrel is collected on the same schedule as regular trash and recycling, meaning it too operates normally on all holidays without delay.
If your scheduled pickup day lands on a holiday, simply place your black, blue, and green barrels out by 6:00 a.m. just like any other normal collection week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Return Plastic Bags to the Store
Plastic bags and stretchy film are the top offenders in Mesa's blue barrels. They wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling plant, causing severe delays and equipment damage. Collect these bags and return them to the drop-off bins located at most local grocery stores.
Trash Your Tanglers
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, wire hangers, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers.' They belong in your black trash barrel or should be taken to a specialized scrap drop-off, never the blue recycling cart.
Keep Food Out of the Blue and Green Barrels
Food waste instantly ruins a batch of clean recyclables and contaminates the green yard waste compost stream. Scrape out and lightly rinse all plastic jugs and metal cans before recycling, and ensure all food scraps go straight into your black garbage bin.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberDuring Mesa's sweltering summer months, organic waste decomposes rapidly. Always double-bag food scraps to prevent maggot infestations, and consider freezing highly pungent food waste until the morning of your collection.
Monsoon Season
July to SeptemberArizona monsoons bring unpredictable microbursts and intense dust storms. To stop your trash from blowing down the street, make sure your barrel lids are fully closed and avoid overfilling your containers.
Post-Holiday Winter
November to JanuaryBecause Mesa collects trash on all holidays, you won't experience a delay after Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, remember to flatten all cardboard boxes to save space in your blue barrel and drop off old Christmas lights at the HHM facility instead of tossing them in the recycling.
About Mesa Waste Management
Mesa's Remarkable Zero-Delay Holiday Schedule
Unlike nearly every other major municipality in Maricopa County, the City of Mesa completely ignores holidays when it comes to curbside waste collection. Mesa’s solid waste fleet runs every single day of the normal Monday-through-Friday schedule, meaning your black and blue barrels will never be delayed due to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day. If your regular trash day lands on a holiday, simply roll your carts out by 6:00 a.m. as usual.
The Green Yard Waste Barrel Program
Mesa offers an optional, subscription-based Green Yard Waste Barrel program specifically designed to divert organic debris from local landfills. Residents who opt in receive a dedicated green cart meant exclusively for unbagged grass clippings, leaves, flowers, and untreated tree branches. This organic matter is eventually taken to the Salt River Landfill to be processed into nutrient-rich compost and mulch instead of occupying valuable landfill space.
Strict Barrel Placement Regulations
Due to the use of automated side-loading mechanical arms, Mesa enforces exact spacing rules for its curbside barrels. All containers must be placed out by 6:00 a.m. on collection morning with the lids securely closed to prevent the intense desert winds from scattering litter. Furthermore, a minimum clearance of three feet must be maintained between the barrels and any vehicles, mailboxes, or utility boxes.
Mesa's Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Facility
Located on North Center Street, the Mesa HHM Facility offers a robust solution for disposing of dangerous household chemicals. Open to residents Wednesday through Saturday, it accepts paint, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, and e-waste. An exceptional feature of this facility is its Swap Shop and Paint Reuse Program, where slightly used items and remixed five-gallon buckets of exterior latex paint are offered back to Mesa residents absolutely free of charge.
Drop-off Facilities
Mesa Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Facility
2412 N. Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Materials Accepted
Salt River Landfill
4660 North Beeline Highway, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my trash be picked up on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day in Mesa?
Yes. Unlike most cities, Mesa collects residential trash, recycling, and green waste on all holidays. If your normal collection day falls on a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, put your barrels out by 6:00 a.m. as usual.
Does Mesa offer a free bulk trash pickup?
No, bulk trash collection in Mesa is a paid service. You must schedule an appointment online or by phone, and the fee starts at $29.00 per load (approximately 4'x8'x4'), which is billed directly to your city utility account.
How do I participate in the Mesa Green Yard Waste program?
The Green Yard Waste Barrel program is an optional, subscription-based service for Mesa residents. You must sign up through the city to receive a green barrel, which can be filled with unbagged leaves, grass, and tree clippings.
What should I do if my trash barrel is broken or goes missing?
If your black, blue, or green barrel is damaged or missing, you can request a replacement or repair by submitting a form via the city's CityLink app, or by calling the City of Mesa Contact Center at 480-644-2221.