Tucson Trash Schedule: A Guide to Trash and Recycling Collection Days

Living in Tucson? Wondering when your trash and recycling gets picked up? This comprehensive guide will provide everything you need to know about trash and recycling collection days in Tucson.

Overview of Trash and Recycling Services in Tucson

The City of Tucson provides trash and recycling collection services for residents living within city limits. Here’s a quick overview:

• Trash collection – Trash is collected weekly on designated collection days depending on your location.

• Recycling collection – Recycling is collected every-other-week on designated collection days.

• Green waste collection – Green waste like yard trimmings and brush can be collected through the Brush & Bulky program twice per year.

• Bulk trash collection – Bulk items like furniture and appliances can be collected through the Brush & Bulky program twice per year.

• Hazardous waste – Hazardous waste like chemicals, batteries, and CFL bulbs can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste facility.

Standard fees on your utility bill pay for weekly trash collection, bi-weekly recycling, and other waste services.

Find Your Collection Day

The most important thing is identifying your designated collection day. Here are some tips:

• Check the recycling collection schedule and map to find your collection day based on your location.

• Use the Find My Trash Day tool by entering your address.

• Call 520-791-3171 if you cannot identify your collection day.

Trash collection occurs weekly on your designated day, while recycling alternates every other week. Make sure bins are curbside by 6AM on collection days.

Trash Collection Overview

Trash collection in Tucson occurs once per week:

• Place bins curbside by 6AM on your collection day.

• Only use your designated city-provided trash bin.

• Extra trash must fit completely within the bin with the lid closed.

• Bag or tie trash bags to prevent litter.

• Do not overload bins over the weight limit of 200 lbs.

• Retrieve bins from curbside by 10PM on collection day.

See the trash collection guidelines for full details.

Recycling Collection Overview

Recycling collection in Tucson occurs every other week:

• Check the recycling schedule to know your collection weeks.

• Place bins curbside by 6AM on your collection day.

• Only recycle acceptable items like paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, plastic containers.

• Do not bag recyclables. Place loose in bin.

• Rinse food residue from containers. Do not recycle soiled items.

• Retrieve bins from curbside by 10PM on collection day.

See the recycling collection guidelines for full details on accepted items.

Green Waste and Bulk Collection

• Green waste like brush and yard trimmings can be collected through the Brush & Bulky program.

• Bulk items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances can also be collected through Brush & Bulky.

• Brush & Bulky runs twice per year with designated collection weeks in your area. See the schedule.

• Place items curbside by 6AM on your designated Brush & Bulky weeks.

• Prune brush/limbs to 6 feet or less and bundle for collection.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste like chemicals, batteries, CFL bulbs, and other toxic items should never be placed in your curbside bins.

Instead, drop off these items at the:

Household Hazardous Waste Program
Monday – Friday, 8AM – 5PM
2400 S. 22nd Ave

See the Household Hazardous Waste page for accepted items and how to prepare items for drop-off.

Holiday Schedule Changes

Trash and recycling collection days slide by one day after certain holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

So if your regular pickup is Monday, it will slide to Tuesday that holiday week. See the holiday schedule for exact dates impacted.

Additional Services

The City offers additional waste services for a fee:

• Extra trash – Order an extra trash bin if one is not enough.

• Oversized items – Schedule a special pickup for oversized items that don’t fit in Brush & Bulky.

• Roll-off containers – Rent a roll-off dumpster container for large projects.

See Additional Services to learn more and pay service fees.

Common Tucson Trash Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked trash and recycling questions in Tucson:

Q: My bin was not emptied. Why?

A: The truck may have come before you set your bin out. Or the bin may have been overloaded. Call 520-791-3171 if this occurs.

Q: Can I place yard waste in my trash bin?

A: No. Yard waste should be held for Brush & Bulky collection or taken to Los Reales Landfill.

Q: How do I get bulky items collected?

A: Schedule a Brush & Bulky collection during your designated weeks. Or schedule a special bulky item pickup for a fee.

Q: What do I do with hazardous waste?

A: Never place chemicals, batteries, light bulbs, etc. in the trash. Take to the Household Hazardous Waste facility.

Q: Can I place recyclables in plastic bags?

A: No plastic bags. Place recyclables loose in your bin, except shredded paper which can be bagged.

Contact City of Tucson for Help

If you have any other questions about trash and recycling services in Tucson, contact:

Environmental Services Department
Phone: 520-791-3171
Email: [email protected]

They can help with finding your collection day, scheduling special pickups, ordering bins, and any other issues related to waste and recycling.