How Tempe Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Tempe maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Tempe falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Tempe provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and green waste. Collection is performed using automated trucks. Bins must be placed correctly at the curb by 5 AM. The city assigns collection days by neighborhood. Holiday schedules may affect pickup days. Contaminated recycling bins may be rejected.

Key details: Frequency: Weekly curbside collection. Services: Trash, recycling, green waste same day. Bin Placement: By 5:00 AM, lids closed, handles toward house. Recycling: Contaminated bins may be rejected. Green Waste: Yard trimmings, branches under 4 ft.

Contaminated recycling bins may be left uncollected. Bins not properly positioned may be missed. Persistent violations may affect service.

Recycling Requirements

Tempe provides single-stream recycling collection as part of its solid waste program. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastics #1-5 and #7, glass, and metals. Contamination is a significant issue — the city rejects bins with food waste, plastic bags, or non-recyclable items. Tempe aims to increase recycling participation and reduce landfill waste.

Key details: Type: Single-stream recycling. Accepted: Paper, cardboard, plastics #1-5/#7, glass, metals. Not Accepted: Plastic bags, Styrofoam, food waste, electronics. Contamination: Contaminated bins may be left uncollected. Plastic Bags: Return to grocery stores, not curbside.

Contaminated recycling bins may be rejected. Persistent contamination may result in loss of recycling service.

Bin Placement Rules

Tempe requires trash and recycling bins to be placed at the curb by 5 AM on collection day and returned within 24 hours. Between collections, bins must be stored out of public view. The city provides automated curbside collection. Bins should not block sidewalks or driveways when placed for pickup.

Key details: Placement Time: By 5:00 AM on collection day. Retrieval: Within 24 hours after collection. Storage: Out of public view between collection days. Positioning: Handles facing house, clear of sidewalks. Services: Trash, recycling, green waste curbside.

Bins left at curb beyond 24 hours or stored in public view between collections may result in code compliance citations.

Bulk Item Disposal

Tempe provides scheduled bulk trash collection for items too large for regular pickup (furniture, appliances, yard waste). Residents can schedule bulk pickups through the city's solid waste division. Items must be placed at the curb on the scheduled date. Hazardous waste and electronics require special disposal through city events or designated drop-off facilities.

Key details: Service: Scheduled bulk trash collection available. Eligible Items: Furniture, appliances, large yard waste. Prohibited: Hazardous waste, tires, batteries, electronics, construction debris. Scheduling: Contact solid waste division to schedule. HHW Events: City hosts hazardous waste collection events.

Placing prohibited items in bulk collection or dumping items illegally may result in fines. Items placed curbside too early may receive code compliance citations.

The rules around bulk item disposal in Tempe lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Tempe's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Tempe is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Tempe can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.