Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Queen Creek
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup (Weekly)
Yard Waste
Included in regular trash (bagged/tied) or scheduled monthly bulk collection
Set Out Time
6:00 AM
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are billed monthly on your Town utility bill, which also includes one free bulk trash collection per month.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Sandstone (Tan/Brown) Bin (Trash)
Containers must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day with the lid completely closed. Leave at least three feet of clearance between the trash and recycling carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Bagged yard debris and grass clippings
- ✓Diapers and pet waste (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be tossed loosely into the blue cart. Ensure all cardboard boxes are flattened and stripped of packing materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics (bottles, jugs, jars, trays, cartons)
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and clean paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Queen Creek does not provide a weekly green waste cart. Small debris must be bagged and tied in the sandstone trash cart. Large branches must be bundled and scheduled for your monthly bulk pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings (bagged in trash)
- ✓Small branches (bundled for bulk)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per month (By appointment only)
Placement
Items must be placed curbside, away from walls, mailboxes, and parked cars. Collection may take up to 48 hours from your scheduled date. The Town will not collect items left out on un-scheduled weeks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, tables)
- ✓ Large appliances (microwaves, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Bagged or bundled yard debris
- ✓ Flattened cardboard
- ✓ Lawnmowers (fuel and oil removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers (Freon items)
- ✕ Car parts and tires
- ✕ Construction materials (concrete, dirt, rock, drywall)
- ✕ Carpet and flooring
- ✕ Horse manure
One bulk pickup of up to 6 cubic yards per month is included in your standard monthly utility rate. Additional volume or excess pickups will incur extra fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Queen Creek only alters its trash schedule for three major holidays. If your scheduled collection day falls on or after Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day, your service will be delayed by one calendar day for the rest of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Monthly scheduled bulk pickups are not performed on major holidays. You will need to choose a different day for your bulk appointment.
Holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, and Veterans Day do NOT affect your trash pickup. Service continues normally.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
March, April, NovemberThe Town hosts quarterly 'QC Recycles Drop-off' events during the cooler months. These Saturday morning events are the perfect time to dispose of latex paint, prescription drugs, textiles, and up to five boxes of paper for shredding without using an HHW voucher.
Summer
July to SeptemberDuring the intense Arizona monsoon season, make sure your sandstone and blue cart lids are firmly shut. Do not overfill your bins. High winds prior to the 6:00 a.m. collection can easily scatter loose debris across your neighborhood.
Winter Holidays
December to JanuaryChristmas trees can typically be scheduled as part of your monthly bulk pickup, provided they are cut down to manageable sizes and completely stripped of lights, ornaments, and tinsel.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In? Queen Creek's Bottle Redemption Spots!
Did you know you can turn those empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles into a little extra spending money right here in the East Valley? While Queen Creek itself doesn't have a dedicated buyback center within city limits, you're not far from options. Many residents find success at places like Ace Hardware stores in nearby cities that offer bottle redemption. Also, keep an eye out for local events or temporary collection drives organized by community groups; sometimes these are hubs for turning recyclables into cash. Check Maricopa County's recycling resources for any upcoming opportunities or drop-off locations that might be convenient for you, as they often list redemption centers as well.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Queen Creek
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! Queen Creek has some fantastic local spots where your contributions make a real difference. Goodwill of Central Arizona has a presence nearby, and they accept a wide range of items from clothing and household goods to furniture. For those looking to support home building efforts, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Mesa is a great option for furniture, appliances, and building materials. Donating locally not only helps others in our community but also keeps usable items out of the landfill. Always give them a quick call to confirm what they're accepting before you head over.
Keeping Queen Creek Clean: Reporting Dumping & Community Clean-Ups
Keeping our beautiful Queen Creek neighborhoods tidy is a team effort. If you ever spot illegal dumping – that's when folks leave trash or unwanted items in public areas or open spaces – the city wants to know! You can report these incidents directly to the City of Queen Creek's Public Works department at 480-782-3510. They work hard to address these issues and keep our community looking its best. While not a regular scheduled event, keep an ear out for city-sponsored community clean-up days that pop up throughout the year. Participating in these events is a wonderful way to bond with neighbors and make a visible difference.
Drop-off Facilities
QC Recycling Center
22179 E. Ryan Rd, Queen Creek, AZ
Materials Accepted
Gilbert Household Hazardous Waste Facility
2224 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Queen Creek offer free bulk trash pickup?
Yes, Queen Creek residents with an active utility account receive one free bulk trash pickup per month, limited to six cubic yards. However, you must proactively schedule the pickup online or by phone by noon the business day prior.
Can I recycle glass in my blue cart in Queen Creek?
Yes, Queen Creek accepts glass bottles and jars in the curbside blue recycling cart. Alternatively, you can drop off large quantities of glass at the glass-only bin located at the QC Recycling Center on Ryan Road.
How do I dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Because Queen Creek does not have its own daily HHW facility, the Town partners with the Town of Gilbert. You must request one of the 32 monthly HHW vouchers from the Town of Queen Creek, which allows you to drop off hazardous materials at the Gilbert facility.
What holidays delay trash pickup in Queen Creek?
Trash and recycling services are only delayed for three holidays during the year: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup falls on or after these holidays, it will be delayed by one day. Other federal holidays do not impact the schedule.