Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Prescott
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.
Green (Standard 65-Gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place your green cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. All garbage must be securely bagged. The lid must close completely, and carts must be kept at least three feet away from other objects, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Bagged yard debris, grass, and brush
Blue (Standard 65-Gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables, except for shredded paper which must be tied in a clear plastic bag. The city advises keeping lids on your plastic and glass bottles. Give food containers a quick rinse.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Prescott does not provide a separate weekly yard waste cart. Small yard debris must be bagged and placed in your regular green trash cart. Large brush can be saved for the May Free Brush Collection or your annual bulk pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged grass clippings
- ✓Small bagged brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) complimentary pickup per calendar year.
Placement
Place all items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled appointment. Items must be bagged, boxed, bundled, and tied neatly.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (tables, chairs, mattresses)
- ✓ BBQ Grills (no propane tanks)
- ✓ Bagged leaves and small yard debris
- ✓ Branches (cut to 4-foot lengths and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items over 50 pounds
- ✕ Tires, oil, and auto batteries
- ✕ Concrete, brick, asphalt, or dirt
- ✕ Hazardous waste or commercial construction debris
One bulk pickup is free annually. Dropping off bulk waste at the Sundog Transfer Station outside of this program requires paying a weight-based gate fee ($106.00/ton, $20 minimum).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Prescott Solid Waste Division and the Transfer Station close for most major federal holidays. Collection is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week following a holiday closure.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk pickups and May brush collections are not scheduled on observed holidays.
Because Prescott observes a wide range of holidays (including MLK Day and Presidents Day), schedule shifts are frequent. Always check the city's Utility Billing holiday schedule for exact pickup delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Lids On
Unlike many recycling programs that ask you to discard caps, the City of Prescott actually prefers you to keep all lids on your plastic bottles, jars, and jugs before tossing them into the blue bin.
Bag Only the Shreds
Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags jam the sorting machinery at the Phoenix MRF where Prescott's recyclables are sent. Never bag your cans or bottles. The only item that should be bagged in the blue cart is shredded paper (in a clear bag).
No Freon Appliances in Bulk
When scheduling your annual bulk pickup, remember that appliances containing refrigerants (like refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units) will not be collected unless you have a certificate from a licensed professional proving the Freon has been evacuated.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April to MayFirewise preparation is critical in Prescott. Registration for the city's annual Free Brush Collection program opens in April. Be sure to register early so your pine needles, branches, and woody debris can be collected in May.
Winter
December to FebruaryAt a mile-high elevation, Prescott receives significant winter snow. During heavy snowstorms, keep your carts slightly set back from the street edge to avoid interfering with city snowplows, while still ensuring the automated truck arm can reach them.
Summer Monsoon
July to SeptemberAfternoon thunderstorms and heavy winds are common. Do not overfill your green cart, and ensure the lid is fully shut. Windblown trash that escapes a propped-open lid often ends up littering the surrounding national forest.
About Prescott Waste Management
Animal-Proof Carts for Mountain Living
Living in the ponderosa pine forests of Prescott means coexisting with wildlife, including javelinas and black bears. To help reduce dangerous wildlife encounters and neighborhood litter, the City of Prescott offers specialized animal-proof garbage carts. Residents can upgrade their standard green cart to an animal-proof model for a small additional monthly fee by contacting the Solid Waste Division.
One Free On-Demand Bulk Pickup Yearly
Unlike cities that schedule inflexible, mandatory neighborhood cleanup weeks, Prescott empowers its residents with an on-demand system. Every residential trash customer qualifies for one complimentary bulk item collection per calendar year. You simply request your pickup online or by phone when it meets your family's needs, meaning no more unsightly piles sitting on the curb for weeks at a time.
The May-Only Free Brush Collection
In addition to the annual bulk pickup, the City of Prescott operates a dedicated Free Brush Collection program to help residents clear combustible vegetation before wildfire season. Registration exclusively opens in April, with collection occurring strictly throughout the month of May. This is a crucial, free municipal service to help maintain defensible space around your mountain property.
The Shredded Paper Exception in Blue Bins
Almost every recycling program in the country strictly forbids plastic bags, and Prescott is no different—with one highly unique exception. Because loose paper shreds easily blow away and contaminate the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), the City of Prescott explicitly requires residents to place shredded paper inside a clear, sealed plastic bag before tossing it into the blue recycling cart. All other recyclables must remain completely unbagged.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Prescott Transfer Station
2800 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott, AZ 86301
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Prescott have bulk trash pickup?
The City of Prescott does not have a designated week for everyone. Instead, each residential trash customer gets one free on-demand bulk pickup per calendar year. You must contact the Solid Waste Division to schedule it at your convenience.
Can I put glass bottles in my blue recycling bin in Prescott?
Yes, glass bottles and jars are fully accepted in Prescott's curbside blue recycling carts. The city even recommends keeping the lids on your glass and plastic bottles when recycling them.
What are the rules for yard waste and brush?
Small yard debris and grass must be bagged and placed inside your green trash cart. For larger brush, residents can register in April for the annual Free Brush Collection which takes place strictly in May, or use their annual bulk pickup.
Can I get a bear-proof or animal-proof trash can?
Yes. To help protect local wildlife and prevent neighborhood messes, Prescott offers animal-proof garbage carts. You can upgrade your standard cart to an animal-proof container for an additional monthly fee of $9.41 by calling the city.