Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Phoenix
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.
Dark/Black Bin (Trash)
All household garbage MUST be securely bagged and tied to prevent pests and odors. Containers must be placed at the curb or alleyway by 5:30 a.m. with 15 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food scraps
- ✓Bagged pet waste
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue bin—never bag your recycling. Ensure containers are lightly rinsed and empty before tossing them in.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and broken-down boxes
- ✓Paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2 with lids on)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Styrofoam (egg cartons, packing peanuts)
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Yard clippings
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, extension cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Requires a $5/month subscription for the tan Green Organics cart. Do not bag yard waste; place it loosely in the tan bin. If you do not have a tan cart, yard waste must be securely bagged and placed in the black trash bin or scheduled for bulk collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Tree fruit and leaves
- ✓Shrubs and cactus trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood (under 4 feet)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (Up to 4 collections per calendar year).
Placement
Items must be in a single pile no larger than 10 cubic yards (approx. 17' long x 4' wide x 4' high). Place parallel to the street edge, keeping at least 5 feet away from fixed objects like walls and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (without refrigerants)
- ✓ Tree trimmings (under 12 inches thick, max 4 feet long)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 4 feet long)
- ✓ Bagged grass and vegetation
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires of any shape or size
- ✕ Refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, batteries)
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, bricks, and asphalt
- ✕ Construction materials over 25 lbs
Residential customers receive 4 free appointments per year. If you must cancel, do so at least 2 business days in advance, otherwise it counts against your annual allowance.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Phoenix only shifts trash and recycling collections by one day for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your regular pickup falls on or after these days, it will move one day later (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
The tan Green Organics carts run on the exact same schedule as regular trash and recycling, following the exact same holiday delay rules.
Collections on all other holidays—such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day—occur on their normal schedule without any delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The fastest way to contaminate your recycling in Phoenix is by bagging your recyclables in plastic grocery sacks. Plastic film wraps around the high-speed sorting gears at the recycling facility, causing damage. Keep all items loose.
The Pizza Box Grease Rule
Phoenix accepts pizza boxes in the blue recycling bin, but only if they have minimal grease. If the bottom of the box is heavily soaked with oil or caked with cheese, rip the box apart. Throw the greasy base in the black trash bin and recycle the clean cardboard lid.
Don't Hide Yard Waste in the Recycling
Never place grass, branches, or leaves in your blue recycling bin. Yard waste severely contaminates the recycling stream. Either subscribe to the tan Green Organics cart, bag it tightly for your black trash bin, or schedule a bulk pickup.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberDuring the intense Arizona summer, organic waste rots rapidly. Always double-bag food scraps, diapers, and pet waste. Ensure your dark trash container lid is fully closed to prevent massive maggot infestations and fly breeding.
Major Holidays
November to JanuaryTo prevent unsightly debris in neighborhoods during peak family gathering times, the bulk trash scheduler automatically blocks out appointments during the 7 days before and after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Monsoon
July to SeptemberFierce monsoon microbursts easily knock over empty or partially filled bins. Always ensure your bin's lid is completely shut, and position the bin so it won't damage surrounding property or vehicles if it tips over during high winds.
About Phoenix Waste Management
Phoenix's Appointment-Based Bulk Trash System
The City of Phoenix officially retired its old quarterly bulk trash schedule, upgrading to a much more flexible appointment-based system. Active residential customers now receive four free bulk trash collections per calendar year. Instead of waiting for a designated neighborhood week, you can schedule your pickups online or over the phone whenever you need them. This change helps keep Phoenix neighborhoods cleaner year-round by eliminating the massive, community-wide piles that used to sit on the streets for days.
The Strict 15-Foot Clearance Rule
Due to the size and mechanics of the automated side-loading trucks used by Phoenix Public Works, the city enforces an unusually strict clearance rule. Your trash and recycling containers must be placed with at least 15 feet of clearance from all fixed obstacles, including parked cars, light poles, fire hydrants, utility meters, and low-hanging trees. Failure to provide this generous buffer is one of the most common reasons for a missed collection in the city.
Free At-Home Hazardous Waste Collection
To prevent dangerous chemicals from entering the local landfill or water supply, Phoenix offers an exceptional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) home pickup program. Instead of forcing residents to drive to a distant transfer station, the city allows you to schedule one free at-home collection per calendar year. Specialized crews will come directly to your residence to safely remove antifreeze, motor oil, pool chemicals, batteries, and paint.
The 'Big Three' Holiday Schedule
Phoenix makes remembering holiday trash schedules incredibly simple by observing only the 'Big Three.' Trash and recycling collections are only delayed by one day for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For every other federal and state holiday—including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day—the Public Works Department operates on a completely normal schedule, meaning your bins must still be out by 5:30 a.m.
Optional Tan Green Organics Carts
To help divert organic waste from landfills, Phoenix offers a subscription-based Green Organics program for eligible residential areas. For an additional $5 per month, residents receive a tan container designated exclusively for yard waste, such as untreated wood, grass, cactus trimmings, and leaves. Unlike regular garbage, the contents of the tan cart must remain completely unbagged so the material can be successfully composted.
Drop-off Facilities
North Gateway Transfer Station
30205 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85085
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What holidays actually delay garbage pickup for Phoenix Public Works?
The City of Phoenix only delays trash collection for three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Your collection will occur on its normal scheduled day for all other federal holidays, including Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
How do I schedule my 4 free bulk trash pickups in Phoenix?
Phoenix has moved to an appointment-based system. You can schedule your 4 free annual bulk pickups by visiting the Public Works online portal at phoenix.gov/bulk-trash or by calling PHX Customer Services at 602-262-6251.
Can I request a special pickup for household hazardous waste?
Yes. Phoenix residential solid waste customers are entitled to one free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) home pickup per calendar year. You can schedule this service to safely dispose of paint, batteries, motor oil, and pool chemicals right from your home.
What is the 15-foot clearance rule for trash bins in Phoenix?
Because the city uses automated side-loading trucks, Phoenix Public Works strictly requires residents to place their trash, recycling, and tan organics bins with a full 15 feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, light poles, and low-hanging trees.