Holiday Trash Collection Schedule for Tucson, Arizona

Living in Tucson, Arizona? Wondering when your trash will be picked up around the holidays? The City of Tucson provides trash and recycling collection services to residents, with regular weekly pickup. However, the collection schedule changes around major holidays.

This article explains Tucson’s holiday trash schedule, provides key dates for 2023-2024, covers how collection is impacted, and shares tips for Tucson residents to ensure their trash is collected properly.

Overview of Holiday Changes to Collection in Tucson

During holiday weeks, the City’s Environmental and General Services Department notes that trash collection may be delayed by one day.

This means if your regular trash day falls on or after the holiday, expect pickup to happen one day later that week. For example, if trash is normally collected on Mondays, and that week has a holiday on Monday, pickup will happen on Tuesday instead.

The delay impacts residents with collection any day Monday through Friday. Weekend collection is not changed.

While the holidays only directly impact one day, the rest of the week shifts to accommodate. Tucson aims to return to the regular schedule the week following a holiday.

Major Holidays Impacting Trash Pickup

The City of Tucson observes 10 holidays which lead to changes in trash collection:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Cesar Chavez Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Juneteenth and All Soul’s Day are also City holidays, but do not alter trash collection.

Of note, while Veterans Day is a City holiday, trash collection continues as normal that week. The City government offices close, but Environmental Services still provides pickup.

Key Dates for 2023 and 2024 Holiday Collection

To plan ahead, here are the 10 holiday dates to be aware of in the coming two years:

2023:

• New Year’s Day: Monday, January 2
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 16
• Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 20
• Cesar Chavez Day: Friday, March 31
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 29
• Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4
• Labor Day: Monday, September 4
• Veterans Day: Friday, November 10 (No Impact to Collection)
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23
• Christmas Day: Monday, December 25

2024:

• New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 15
• Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 19
• Cesar Chavez Day: Friday, March 29
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 27
• Independence Day: Thursday, July 4
• Labor Day: Monday, September 2
• Veterans Day: Monday, November 11 (No Impact to Collection)
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28
• Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Take note of the exact date each holiday falls on. Then you can determine when trash pickup will shift in a given week.

How Collection Works in Tucson

To best understand how holidays impact your trash pickup, it helps to know how regular collection works in Tucson:

• Trash is collected once per week, on the same set day.
• Collection times vary by neighborhood. Set cans out by 6 AM on your designated day.
• Most households have individual bins collected curbside. But some areas use shared alley containers.
• The standard monthly fee pays for trash pickup, recycling every other week, and Brush & Bulky collection twice a year.
• Residents should only place City-issued containers at the curb on collection day. Do not use other receptacles.
• Trash must fit inside the closed bin. Do not overflow or place loose bags on the ground.

During holiday weeks, these collection rules still apply. The only change is pickup happening one day later if your regular day falls on/after the holiday.

Tips for Tucson Residents on Holiday Collection

To ensure your trash is picked up properly during holidays, keep these tips in mind:

• Check the holiday schedule each year and note which days collection shifts. Mark your calendar so you remember to set cans out a day later when needed.

• If unsure, set bins out a day early. There’s no harm in placing your trash at the curb one day before your normal pickup. The truck will either come that earlier day due to the holiday or arrive on the regular day.

• Don’t leave bins at the curb. Only set your trash and recycling out on scheduled collection days, then bring them back in promptly after pickup. Don’t leave them sitting on non-service days.

• Prevent litter from overflow trash. Make sure lids fully close on bins. Bag or contain any loose trash that won’t fit. Overflow and litter caused by uncovered bins won’t be collected.

• Contact Tucson Environmental Services with any collection questions or issues. Their customer service team can advise you on holiday changes impacting your neighborhood.

More Trash and Recycling Resources for Tucson

To learn more about Tucson’s trash collection, recycling programs, and other environmental services, check out:

• Holiday Collection Schedule – Dates and PDF download
• Residential Trash Collection – Overview of regular collection
• Recycling Services – Curbside recycling and drop-off programs
• Brush and Bulky Collection – Large item pickup
• Los Reales Landfill – Public disposal and recycling facility

The City of Tucson Environmental Services Department can be reached at (520) 791-3171 or [email protected].

By understanding the holiday trash and recycling collection schedule and following proper set-out guidelines, Tucson residents can ensure their waste is picked up on time all year.