Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Scottsdale
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 waste and small yard clippings must be securely bagged and tied. The lid must close completely, and containers must be placed with wheels against the curb without blocking sidewalks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Bagged grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Non-recyclable household items
Pink / Blue (varies by neighborhood) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, dry, and dumped loosely into the bin. Never bag your recyclable materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel food cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Glass items (check local guidelines)
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Yard debris
Yard Waste Bin
Small debris must be bagged and tied. Large branches and bulk trimmings should be stacked neatly for the monthly brush collection week. Cacti must be packed securely in sturdy boxes for safety.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs and branches (max 6 feet long)
- ✓Small clippings, leaves, and weeds (bagged)
- ✓Cacti and century plants (boxed)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly, according to your designated neighborhood zone schedule.
Placement
Place items securely at the edge of your property line or alleyway without blocking sidewalks, water meters, or impeding pedestrian/wheelchair traffic. Do not lean piles against utility poles or block walls.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Tree branches and limbs (under 6 feet long)
- ✓ Bagged leaves, grass, and small yard clippings
- ✓ CRT and projection screen televisions
- ✓ Boxed cacti and century plants
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, sod, and concrete
- ✕ Construction, remodel, and drywall debris
- ✕ Automotive parts, engines, tires, and rims
- ✕ Household generated trash bags
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Standard monthly brush and bulk collection is included for residents paying city solid waste utility fees. Unauthorized or excess commercial dumping is subject to fines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection services are typically adjusted or delayed by one day when regular pickup lands on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. For minor federal holidays, regular collection schedules usually proceed normally.
Yard Waste Exception
Monthly brush and bulk collections scheduled during weeks featuring major holidays may shift; check the official Scottsdale My Services tool for updated zone calendar adjustments.
Always place your containers out on time, but remember to remove them from the curb by 10:00 a.m. the day following your collection.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Zero Plastic Film in Recycling Carts
Plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, and film packaging tangle in Scottsdale's sorting equipment. Always keep flexible plastics out of your pink or blue recycling bin and return them to local retail collection bins.
Box Up Spiky Cacti for Bulk Pickup
When clearing desert landscaping, never throw loose cacti or century plants into bulk piles unprotected. Sanitation workers require cacti to be thoroughly boxed up to prevent injuries during manual handling.
Keep Construction Materials Out of Standard Piles
Remodeling waste, concrete, drywall, and dirt are strictly prohibited from regular brush and bulk collections. Homeowners must hire private contractors or rent dumpsters for major renovation debris.
Seasonal Information
Summer Heat
June to SeptemberHigh desert temperatures cause organic trash to decompose rapidly and attract pests. Double-bag food refuse and animal waste tightly, and ensure container lids stay firmly shut.
Fall HHW Season
August to NovemberThis is the prime window for Scottsdale's residential Household Hazardous Waste program. Because slots fill up fast (limited to 200 residents per month), homeowners should register online early to secure an at-home pickup for old paint, chemicals, and pesticides.
Winter Cleaning & Snowbird Season
December to FebruaryWith seasonal residents returning and holiday hosting underway, waste volumes increase significantly. Break down all cardboard boxes flat to maximize room in your recycling cart and prevent overflow.
About Scottsdale Waste Management
Navigating Scottsdale's Curbside Collections
The City of Scottsdale Solid Waste Division provides comprehensive weekly trash and recycling pickup for local residents. To ensure seamless mechanical servicing, containers must be positioned correctly with the back wheels against the curb or alley edge, avoiding any obstruction of pedestrian pathways or sidewalks. Carts should be rolled out no earlier than 3:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection and retrieved by 10:00 a.m. the following morning.
Monthly Brush and Bulk Waste Program
Scottsdale operates a systematic, monthly brush and bulk collection program assigned by neighborhood zones. Residents can set out heavy yard trimmings, large branches (cut under 6 feet), and old furniture. Piles must be placed neatly at the curb or alley by 5:00 a.m. on the Monday of your designated collection week. Because crews pass through a given street only once during that week, late placement will result in the materials being left behind.
Specialized Moving Box Recycling Service
Recognizing the high volume of new residents relocating to the area, the City of Scottsdale offers a unique, one-time-per-home moving box recycling service. New homeowners can contact the Solid Waste Division to schedule a special Wednesday pickup dedicated exclusively to flattening and hauling away corrugated cardboard moving boxes, easing the transition into your new Maricopa County home.
At-Home Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Standard city facilities in Scottsdale cannot accept hazardous materials, electronics, or appliances directly on a walk-in basis. Instead, Scottsdale manages a popular, appointment-based At-Home Household Hazardous Waste collection program. Available primarily during late summer and autumn months (August through November) on a first-come, first-served basis, specialized crews safely remove paint, chemicals, and automotive fluids directly from your residence.
Drop-off Facilities
Scottsdale Solid Waste Management Administration
9191 E San Salvador Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my specific trash, recycling, and bulk collection dates in Scottsdale?
You can look up your exact neighborhood schedule by entering your home address into the official 'My Services' tool on the City of Scottsdale website.
Does Scottsdale pick up moving boxes for new homeowners?
Yes! Scottsdale offers a specialized, one-time moving box recycling service on Wednesdays for new residents. You must call the Solid Waste Division at 480-312-5600 ahead of time to schedule this pickup.
What items are strictly prohibited from Scottsdale's monthly bulk trash piles?
Scottsdale crews will not pick up construction/remodel debris, drywall, concrete, dirt, rocks, automotive parts, tires, or household hazardous waste during regular bulk runs.
How do I dispose of old paint, chemicals, or electronics in Scottsdale?
Standard city facilities do not accept hazardous waste or electronics as walk-in drop-offs. Instead, you can sign up for Scottsdale's free At-Home Household Hazardous Waste collection program, offered from August through November.