Phoenix, AZ — Bulk Trash Pickup Rules & Schedule

How Phoenix Bulk Trash Pickup Works

Phoenix provides bulk trash pickup twice per year for each residential address, based on a zone system that divides the city into service areas. Your pickup weeks are determined by which zone your address falls in — and the schedule runs on a rolling basis from January through December, cycling through all zones twice.

This is an automatic service — you do not call ahead or schedule a pickup. When your zone's week arrives, simply set your eligible items at the curb by 6:00 AM on the first day of your pickup week. The city sends crews through each zone during that week.

Key Dates for Phoenix 2025

Phoenix runs bulk pickup on a rotating schedule through all zones. Rather than list all zones here (they change annually), use the city's online lookup. General schedule pattern:

• Each zone receives two pickups per calendar year, roughly 6 months apart
• Your first pickup is typically in the first half of the year (Jan–June)
• Your second pickup is in the second half (July–Dec)
• Pickup windows are typically 5 business days — not a single day

Set-Out Rules

Phoenix has specific rules about how and when to place items at the curb. Violating these is the most common cause of skipped pickups:

• Set out no earlier than: 5 PM the evening before your pickup week begins
• Set out by: 6:00 AM on the first day of your pickup week
• Location: Within 3 feet of the curb edge, not in the street or blocking the sidewalk
• Distance from bins: Keep bulk items at least 3 feet away from your regular trash and recycling carts
• Distance from utilities: Must not block fire hydrants, utility meters, utility boxes, or drainage grates
• Distance from vehicles: At least 10 feet from any parked vehicle to allow access for collection equipment

What Phoenix Accepts

Phoenix Residential Solid Waste accepts the following in bulk pickup:

Category	Accepted?	Conditions
Wood furniture (tables, frames, shelves)	✅ Yes	No size limit beyond crew capacity
Metal furniture	✅ Yes	Accepted
Upholstered furniture (couches, recliners)	❌ No	Excluded entirely — no exceptions
Mattresses	❌ No	Excluded — see alternatives below
Refrigerators/Freezers	⚠️ Conditional	Refrigerant removed, doors disabled
Washers/Dryers	✅ Yes	Drain water completely
Dishwashers	✅ Yes	Drain completely
Water heaters	✅ Yes	Disconnected and drained
Tree branches/brush	⚠️ Conditional	Max 3" diameter, max 4 ft length, bundled
Carpeting/rugs	✅ Yes	Rolled and secured, under 50 lbs per roll
Bicycles/exercise equipment	✅ Yes	Accepted
Electronics/TVs/computers	❌ No	Banned — see e-waste options
Tires	❌ No	Not accepted in any trash stream
Construction debris	❌ No	Requires private hauler or dumpster
Hazardous materials	❌ No	See HHW events below

Refrigerator & Freezer Rules (Phoenix-Specific)

Phoenix accepts refrigerators and freezers in bulk pickup but requires the following preparation:

1. 1
   Refrigerant Recovery

   An EPA-certified technician must remove all refrigerant (Freon, R-410A, or other CFC/HCFC compounds). Get a sticker or written certification to keep on hand if questioned.

2. 2
   Door Removal or Disabling

   Remove the door entirely, or disable the latch mechanism so the door cannot close. A bungee cord is not sufficient — the latch must be physically disabled or the door removed.

3. 3
   Defrost and Drain

   Completely defrost and drain all water. No standing water inside the unit.

Tree Branch & Vegetation Rules

Phoenix has strict size limits for vegetation that exceed most other large cities:

• Maximum branch diameter: 3 inches (most cities allow 4–6 inches)
• Maximum branch length: 4 feet
• Must be bundled and tied — loose brush piles are rejected
• Tree stumps: Not accepted under any circumstances
• Cactus material: Special rules apply — must be cut into small sections, double-bagged, and placed in regular trash. Do not put cactus in bulk pickup.
• Palm fronds: Accepted if bundled, but must conform to the 4-foot length limit

For larger tree removal debris, Phoenix residents can schedule a City Tree Trimming Request through Phoenix Parks and Recreation for street trees. For private trees, a licensed tree service or private green-waste hauler is required for material exceeding the size limits.

Reporting a Missed Pickup in Phoenix

If your scheduled pickup week passed and your items were not collected:

• Online: Submit a service request at phoenix.gov → Services → Trash & Recycling → Missed Pickup. Requires your address and pickup week.
• Phone: Call Phoenix's non-emergency Public Works line at 602-262-6251 Monday–Friday 7 AM–5 PM
• Phoenix My311 App: Available on iOS and Android; allows photo submission and real-time status tracking

Phoenix's stated response time for missed bulk pickup reports is 5–7 business days. Reports must be submitted within 72 hours of your pickup week ending to be treated as a missed pickup (rather than a new scheduling request).

What To Do With Items Phoenix Won't Collect

Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore Phoenix — Free pickup for usable furniture. Schedule at habitat.org/restores or call the Phoenix location directly. Lead time is typically 1–2 weeks.
• Salvation Army Phoenix — Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK for free pickup scheduling of acceptable furniture. They've historically been selective about mattress condition.
• Arizona Mattress Recycling — Private recyclers in the Phoenix metro area accept mattresses for a fee ($15–$30/unit). Search "mattress recycling Phoenix" for current providers.
• Facebook Marketplace "Curb Alert" — Post as free at the curb. Usable items typically get claimed within hours in Phoenix's market.
• Private junk removal — 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Junk King, and local Phoenix haulers serve the metro area. Couch removal typically $75–$175.

Electronics

• Best Buy Phoenix locations — Accept TVs, computers, and most electronics. Large TVs carry a $30 fee.
• Goodwill Phoenix — Accepts working electronics through the Dell Reconnect program.
• Maricopa County Household Hazardous Waste — Annual HHW events accept electronics at no charge. Check maricopa.gov/hazwaste for event schedule.

Construction Debris

• Roll-off dumpster rental — Available throughout Phoenix metro from multiple providers
• Self-haul to a Phoenix Transfer Station — Residents can bring loads to the 27th Avenue Transfer Station or North Gateway Transfer Station for a fee (typically $10–$30 per 500 lbs)

Phoenix Bulk Trash Contact Information

Contact Method	Details
Main Public Works Line	602-262-6251 (Mon–Fri, 7 AM–5 PM)
Online Service Request	phoenix.gov → Services → Trash & Recycling
Phoenix My311 App	iOS & Android — search "Phoenix My311"
Zone Lookup Tool	phoenix.gov/publicworks/bulky-item-pickup
APS Refrigerator Recycling	1-866-272-9219 or aps.com
Maricopa County HHW	maricopa.gov/hazwaste

Phoenix Bulk Trash FAQ

• Does Phoenix pick up bulk trash from apartment complexes? +

  No. Phoenix bulk pickup is available only for single-family residential properties and qualifying duplexes. Apartment complexes, condominiums, and commercial properties must arrange private solid waste collection through a licensed hauler. If you're in a small complex (2–4 units) and not sure, call Phoenix Public Works with your address — they can confirm whether your property is on the residential service schedule.

• Can I put out more than one truckload during my pickup week? +

  Phoenix does not publish a hard volume cap in cubic yards but in practice, drivers use judgment. A "reasonable" pile — roughly what a standard rental truck can carry — is typically collected. Very large piles (equivalent to a moving truck's worth) may result in partial collection. Phoenix Public Works recommends contacting them in advance if you expect to have a significantly large amount to ensure a special arrangement or additional pass can be made.

• What happens if I miss my pickup week entirely? +

  If you miss your scheduled pickup week (didn't set items out in time), your next opportunity is your second pickup window approximately 6 months later. Phoenix does not allow you to "transfer" a missed pickup to a neighbor's zone or schedule an out-of-cycle collection. If 6 months is too long to wait, use private junk removal, donation pickup, or self-haul to a transfer station.

• Are there any free city drop-off options for bulk items in Phoenix? +

  Phoenix operates two transfer stations where residents can self-haul waste for a fee — they are not free, but they're accessible without waiting for a scheduled pickup week. The 27th Avenue Transfer Station (at 300 W. Baseline Road) and North Gateway Transfer Station (at 27250 N. 19th Ave) accept residential solid waste by the load. Costs vary by material and weight. Phoenix also hosts periodic free Community Cleanup events in specific neighborhoods — check phoenix.gov for upcoming events.

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