Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Yuma
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 Bin (Trash)
Place your 90-gallon green bin at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Ensure the lid is completely closed and the container is not overfilled. Bins must be removed from the street by 6:00 p.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Bagged food waste
- ✓Small bagged yard debris
- ✓Safely contained medical sharps (in taped detergent bottles)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables, with the sole exception of shredded paper (which should be bagged to prevent blowing). Place all other items loosely into the blue container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and clean paper
- ✓Plastics types 1-7 (milk jugs, detergent bottles, hard plastics)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, blue, and green)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic shopping bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Medical sharps
Yard Waste Bin
Yuma does not provide a separate yard waste cart. Small amounts of yard debris must be bagged and placed in your regular green trash bin. Large brush requires scheduling a paid bulk pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Fee-based service)
Placement
Place items in an easily accessible location at the curb on your confirmed scheduled day. Do not place items behind a fence, near parked cars, or blocking a sidewalk.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Bundled tree limbs and large yard waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Regular household bagged garbage
Bulk pickup is not free. The City of Yuma charges $50.10 for the first 3 cubic yards, and $16.73 for each additional cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Yuma operates on a 4-day collection week (Wednesdays off). If a holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, trash collection is typically delayed one day, utilizing Wednesday as a makeup day. If a holiday falls on Thursday or Friday, recycling is delayed one day, utilizing Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulk pickups are not scheduled on major holidays. You will need to select an alternative date when filing your service request.
Always refer to the official 'Holiday Refuse & Recycle Schedule' on the city website, as the split-week system means holidays affect trash and recycling days differently.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only Bag the Shreds
While you must bag shredded paper so it doesn't blow away, never put your everyday recyclables (like plastic bottles and aluminum cans) inside a plastic garbage bag. Dump them directly and loosely into the blue bin.
Plastics 1-7 Are Welcome
Yuma's recycling program is quite robust, accepting all hard plastics labeled #1 through #7. Simply check the bottom of the container for the recycling triangle, give it a quick rinse, and toss it in.
Glass is Good to Go
Unlike some neighboring municipalities that have banned glass, Yuma accepts clear, brown, blue, and green glass containers. Just be sure to rinse out any sticky food residue before recycling them.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberWith extreme triple-digit heat baking Yuma throughout the summer, food waste decomposes rapidly. Always tightly double-bag meat scraps and food waste to reduce odors and prevent maggots in your green bin.
Winter (Snowbird Season)
November to MarchYuma's population surges during the winter months, leading to significantly heavier trash routes. It is absolutely critical to have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m., as drivers may alter their pickup times to accommodate the extra load.
Monsoon Season
July to SeptemberHeavy desert winds accompanying summer monsoons can easily knock over bins. Ensure your lids are securely closed, and avoid putting bins out the night before if a severe dust storm or microburst is forecasted.
About Yuma Waste Management
The Split-Week Collection Strategy
Unlike most municipalities that collect trash and recycling on the same day, the City of Yuma operates a highly efficient split-week schedule. Household trash (Green bin) is strictly collected on Mondays and Tuesdays. Recycling (Blue bin) is exclusively collected on Thursdays and Fridays. Residents must check the city's Red and Blue Zone map to determine which pair of days applies to their specific neighborhood.
The Rare Exception for Bagging Recyclables
In almost every recycling program in the country, plastic bags are strictly prohibited because they jam sorting machinery. However, Yuma has one unique exception: shredded paper. Because desert winds can easily scatter loose shreds, the city explicitly asks residents to place shredded paper inside a clear plastic bag before tossing it into the blue recycling container. All other recyclables must remain completely unbagged and loose.
Pay-as-You-Go Bulk Trash System
Yuma does not offer free quarterly or monthly bulk trash sweeps. Instead, the city utilizes an on-demand, fee-based bulk collection system. If you have large appliances, furniture, or heavy yard brush, you must submit a Solid Waste Service Request online or call the Public Works department to schedule a pickup. The service carries a base fee of approximately $50.10 for the first three cubic yards.
Safe Disposal of Home Medical Sharps
For residents who use needles or syringes at home, the City of Yuma offers a straightforward disposal method right in your regular trash. Sharps must be placed inside a thick, heavy-duty plastic container, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. You must secure the lid with heavy-duty tape, clearly write 'Not Recyclable' on the outside with a permanent marker, and place it into your 90-gallon green bin.
Roll-Out Assistance for the Elderly and Disabled
Maneuvering heavy 90-gallon containers down a driveway can be difficult. The City of Yuma Public Works offers a Container Roll-Out Assistance program designed specifically for elderly or disabled residents who are unable to move their bins. Approved residents will have city staff physically retrieve, empty, and return the bins to their designated storage location.
Drop-off Facilities
Yuma County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Various permanent and mobile locations in Yuma County
Materials Accepted
South Yuma County Landfill
19536 S. Avenue 1E, Yuma, AZ 85365
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are trash and recycling picked up in Yuma?
The City of Yuma runs a split-week schedule. Regular trash is collected on Mondays and Tuesdays, while recycling is collected on Thursdays and Fridays. Your exact days depend on whether your neighborhood is in the Red or Blue zone on the city map.
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Yuma?
Yes. The City of Yuma accepts clear, brown, blue, and green glass bottles and jars in the curbside blue recycling bin. Please lightly rinse them to remove sticky residue before recycling.
How do I get rid of an old couch or bulk trash?
Yuma utilizes a fee-based, on-demand bulk pickup system rather than free neighborhood sweeps. You must call Public Works at 928-373-4500 or submit an online request. The fee is approximately $50.10 for the first 3 cubic yards.
How should I dispose of used medical needles in Yuma?
You can safely dispose of sharps in your green trash bin by placing them inside a heavy-duty plastic container (like a laundry detergent bottle). Tape the lid securely shut and write 'Not Recyclable' on the outside with a black marker.