Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Prescott
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone (Monday through Thursday)
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Yard Waste
None (seasonal brush drop-off and annual bulk pickup by appointment)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are combined into your regular monthly City of Prescott utility bill alongside water and sewer.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Recyclables into Cold Hard Cash in Prescott!
Got a stash of cans and bottles you're ready to cash in? While Arizona has a state-wide bottle bill, you might be wondering where to take other recyclables like scrap metal. Look no further than places like Prescott Metal & Salvage. They're known for taking a variety of metals off your hands. For those classic beverage containers, remember to check out local redemption centers; you can often find them through online searches or by asking around at local auto parts stores, as they sometimes handle these returns. It's a great way to make a little extra spending money and keep junk out of the landfill.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Prescott
Before you toss items that are still in decent shape, think about donating them! Prescott has a few spots that would love your cast-offs. Habitat for Humanity ReStore Prescott is a fantastic place to drop off furniture, home goods, and building materials. They use the proceeds to help build homes in the community. You might also find local thrift stores or charities that accept clothing, books, and household items. A quick search for 'Prescott thrift stores' or 'Prescott charities accepting donations' will give you the most up-to-date options and their specific needs.
Keeping Prescott Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Trash Together
Seeing illegally dumped trash around town is a real bummer. If you spot it, don't just leave it there! The City of Prescott Public Works Department is who you'll want to contact to report these situations. They have a system for handling these cleanups and keeping our natural areas tidy. Keep an eye out for community cleanup events too; these are often announced by local environmental groups or the city itself. Participating is a wonderful way to meet neighbors and make a tangible difference in Prescott's beauty.
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.