Phoenix

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5. Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers.

  • Bath bottles- shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, lotion, etc.
  • Bottles & jugs- beverage, food, etc.
  • Containers- fruit, baked good, etc.
  • House bottles & jugs- cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.
  • Tubs- yogurt, margarine, etc.
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum cans
  • Aluminum foil & trays
  • Steel and tin cans
  • Beverage & food cans

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Brown paper bags
  • Cardboard & chipboard- flattened moving boxes, dry food boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, toilet paper rolls, etc.
  • Cartons- beverage, food, etc.
  • Mixed paper- computer paper, office paper, unwanted mail, flyers, notecards, newspaper, magazines, folders, wrapping paper

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Bottles- beverage, food, etc.
  • Jars- beverage, food, etc.
Bottles and jars (remove lids or caps)
Clean and dry your glass bottles

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Plastic bags, other soft plastics, and wraps
  • Take to the grocery store to be recycled
  • Electronics
  • Bring it to the next household hazardous waste and electronics event
  • Return to a local electronics store
  • Textiles and clothing
  • Donate to resale stores
  • Paper towels, napkins or tissues (these are considered composting materials)
  • Polystyrene or foam
  • Food scraps and yard waste (consider composting)
  • Batteries (return to local electronics or hardware store)
  • Light bulbs (return to local hardware store)
  • Large scrap metal or car parts (take to local scrap yard)
  • Compostable bags
  • Pre-washed salad, mix bags
  • Frozen food bags
  • Candy wrappers
  • Chip bags
  • Six-pack rings

Recycle Collection Tips

  • The city of Phoenix offers soft plastic recycling (separately)
  • Accepted Soft Materials
  • Grocery and retail bags
    • Air pillows
    • Case wrap
    • Dry cleaning bags
    • Newspaper bags
    • Bread bags
    • Produce bags
    • Plastic cereal box liners
    • Zip-top food storage bags
    • Plastic wrap packaging
    • Not Accepted
      • Compostable bags
      • Pre-washed salad, mix bags
      • Frozen food bags
      • Candy wrappers
      • Chip bags
      • Six-pack rings
  • Usually done through drop-off locations (retail stores) 
  • AJ’s
  • Albertsons
  • Place Shredded paper in a clear plastic bag.

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • The City of Phoenix provides eco-stations to residents who live in communities that do not offer recycling services
    https://www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/ECOstations
  • Condo or townhouse (each unit must be defined as a condo or townhouse by the County Assessor’s office) are eligible for city hauling services
  • The city provides Christmas tree recycling (please refer to glossary links)
  • The city provides large home appliance pick-up and recycling

City code prohibits Phoenix from offering recycling service at apartment complexes larger than five units. The City Council would need to revise the code to offer such service. Unless an alternative is provided by the property owner, residents of apartment complexes who want to recycle must take the materials to drop-off sites, or use eco-stations.   Eco-stations are huge roll-off bins, strategically placed in city owned parks and  near clusters of multi-family complexes.  Phoenix residents and businesses are encouraged to use the eco-stations to place their recyclables at any time.
Recyclable items can also be dropped off at Phoenix’s two transfer stations:

  • 27th Avenue Transfer Station – 3060 S. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ
  • North Gateway Transfer Station – 30205 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix ​​​Eco-station Locations:

  • Deer Valley Park – Emptied on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
  • ​Paradise Valley Park – Emptied on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday​
  • ​​​Sweetwater Park ​- Emptied on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday​​
  • ​Steele Park – Emptied on Monday and Friday
  • ​Pecos Park – Emptied as needed
  • ​​Saguaro Library – Emptied on Monday and Friday
  • ​​Maryvale Park – Emptied as needed
  • ​Hayden Park – ​Emptied as needed​
  • ​Desert West Park – Emptied as needed
  • Phoenix is a city within Maricopa County and  residents may use local county drop off centers and transfer stations.  Please see below a list of locations and accepted items

Recycling Ordinance: Best Practice

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Phoenix recycling 602-262-6251 phoenix.gov/recycle
For further question concerning soft plastic recycling, please contact: Public Works Department 602-262-6251 [email protected]

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"