Junk removal in Chandler, AZ.

Chandler, Arizona (#79 nationally) operates its own Solid Waste Services Division with one of the more flexible programs in the Phoenix metro. Chandler residents receive 4 free combined uses per calendar year — any combination of curbside bulk collections AND/OR visits to the Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center counts toward the 4. After 4: $35 per additional bulk collection, or $10 per load under 400 lbs at the Collection Center ($50/ton over 400 lbs). Chandler uses a 5-zone color-coded weekly system: Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange. Both trash AND recycling are collected WEEKLY (unusual nationwide). Only 3 holidays affect collection: New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Chandler residents.

Free options at a glance

Chandler’s 4-free-combined system gives residents flexibility: you can use them all for curbside bulk, all for Collection Center drop-offs, or any mix. Most residents save 2-3 for curbside bulk (sofa/mattress disposal) and 1-2 for Collection Center loads (yard waste, smaller items). Nearby Gilbert, Mesa, and Phoenix.

4 free combined bulk/center visits per year

Chandler’s 4-free-combined system is the most flexible of any Phoenix metro city. The 4 uses can be ANY combination of curbside bulk pickups OR Collection Center visits.

How it works in practice:

· Need a sofa picked up curbside? That’s 1 use.

· Drop a load of yard waste at the Collection Center? That’s 1 use.

· Schedule another bulk pickup? That’s 1 use.

· Drop another load? That’s your 4th use.

· Need more? $35/curbside bulk or $10/load at Collection Center.

Strategic use:

· Save curbside bulk uses for heavy items (mattresses, sofas, appliances) that are hard to self-haul

· Use Collection Center visits for yard waste, small bulk, or items you can transport yourself

· Plan ahead — the 4 uses reset each calendar year (January 1)

After your 4 free uses:

· $35 per additional curbside bulk collection

· $10 per load under 400 lbs at Collection Center

· $50/ton for loads over 400 lbs

How to schedule curbside bulk

Curbside bulk in Chandler is appointment-only — you can’t just put items at the curb. Schedule first.

How to schedule:

· Phone: (480) 782-3510 (Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM)

· Online Bulk Request Form: chandleraz.gov/bulk

Lead time: Online scheduling requires 7 to 14 days advance notice. Phone scheduling may be faster for last-minute needs.

Set-out rules:

· Place items at front property end within 4 feet of curb/sidewalk

· Items at curb by 6:00 AM on scheduled day

· Cannot be placed in alley (Chandler is alley-pickup for some homes, but bulk goes street-side)

· Items may be placed out after 6 PM the night before scheduled day

· Do not block sidewalks, driveways, or fire hydrants

Critical step: Separate recyclable bulk from trash bulk. Metal appliances, large cardboard, and wood pallets are recyclable bulk — place them separately so the right truck picks them up.

What’s typically accepted: Furniture, mattresses, appliances (including refrigerators with refrigerant tag), large household items, scrap metal, wood.

What’s NOT accepted: Hazardous waste, tires (limited), construction debris in significant volume.

Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center

The Chandler Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center is the City’s primary self-haul facility. Each visit counts as one of your 4 free annual uses.

Address: 955 E. Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ.

Closed on city-observed holidays:

· New Year’s Day

· MLK Day

· Presidents Day

· Easter

· Memorial Day

· Juneteenth

· Independence Day

· Labor Day

· Veterans Day

· Thanksgiving

· Christmas

Required: Chandler utility bill + photo ID matching service address.

What’s accepted:

· General household waste (overflow from cart)

· Bulk items (furniture, mattresses, appliances)

· Yard waste (Arizona’s year-round landscaping cycle)

· Recyclables (cart-overflow paper, cardboard, plastics, metal, glass)

· Some electronics — verify before arriving

After your 4 free uses: $10/load under 400 lbs, $50/ton over 400 lbs. Loads weighed at the gate.

5-zone color-coded weekly system

Chandler is one of the rare U.S. cities where both trash AND recycling are collected WEEKLY (not bi-weekly recycling). The 5 color-coded zones determine which day for each. Customer service: (480) 782-3510.

Trash collection day by zone:

· Pink Zone: Monday

· Yellow Zone: Tuesday

· Green Zone: Wednesday

· Blue Zone: Thursday

· Orange Zone: Friday

Recycling collection day by zone:

· Pink Zone: Wednesday

· Yellow Zone: Thursday

· Orange Zone: Tuesday

· Green Zone: Friday

· Blue Zone: Monday

Find your zone: Use the Chandler InfoMap at gis.chandleraz.gov/infomap, the Recycle Coach app, or call (480) 782-3510.

Set-out: Carts at curb by 5:30 AM on collection day.

Trash cart rules:

· Bagged household waste in your gray cart

· Yard waste and organic material should always be bagged and tied before placing in the trash can (minimize odor in Arizona heat)

Recycling cart rules:

· Single-stream — all recyclables loose in cart

· Items empty, clean, dry

· No plastic bags inside

· Flatten cardboard

Accepted recyclables:

· Cardboard: Flattened boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, shipping boxes, paper towel/toilet paper tubes, pizza boxes (if not greasy)

· Paper: Office paper, newspapers, magazines, mail

· Cardboard cartons: Milk cartons, juice cartons, prepared food boxes

· Plastics: Bottles, jugs, tubs, jars (#1-#7)

· Metal: Aluminum cans, steel cans, clean aluminum foil

· Glass: Bottles and jars (all colors)

Holiday schedule: Only 3 holidays affect collection — New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When your regular collection day falls on one of these three holidays, place your container at the curb by 6:00 AM the following day, and all subsequent weekday collections that week shift one day later. For ALL OTHER HOLIDAYS (MLK Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, etc.), collection remains on the regular schedule with NO delays.

HHW disposal

Chandler doesn’t have a permanent residential HHW facility but hosts collection events throughout the year. Auto parts stores and Best Buy handle some HHW categories year-round.

Chandler HHW collection events: Held periodically. Check chandleraz.gov for current dates.

What’s accepted at HHW events:

· Paint (latex and oil-based)

· Automotive fluids

· Batteries (auto, household, lithium)

· Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals

· Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs

· Electronics (some events)

Latex paint shortcut: Latex paint can be dried completely at home with kitty litter or commercial paint hardener, then disposed in regular trash. Saves a trip to HHW events.

Auto parts stores year-round (free):

· AutoZone, O’Reilly, Advance Auto: Used motor oil and lead-acid batteries

Best Buy (year-round, free): Most consumer electronics including TVs, computers, monitors, and printers.

NEVER dispose of HHW in curbside trash, recycling, or bulk: Hazardous items can cause truck fires (hot loads) and endanger crews.

Donation pickup, what gets accepted

Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.

Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.

Paid options

For items beyond your 4 annual free uses, items requiring in-home loading, or service needed faster than 7–14 days, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Chandler

Report illegal dumping to Chandler Solid Waste Services at (480) 782-3510 or via the City of Chandler website. For Arizona state environmental violations, contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Chandler Police non-emergency.

Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for Arizona state penalty information.

Common questions