Junk removal in Scottsdale, AZ.

Scottsdale, Arizona (#94 nationally) operates its own Solid Waste Services for approximately 84,000 single-family residential accounts across 184.4 square miles. Scottsdale’s distinctive feature is the Salt River Landfill program: residential customers may haul up to 2,000 pounds per week FREE with City utility bill and valid driver’s license matching service address. The city offers monthly brush and bulk collection once per month by neighborhood zone, free electronics recycling events quarterly, and free home HHW collection service (unusual). Scottsdale uses address-based routing — use the “My Services” tool at scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste to find your specific collection days. Some neighborhoods use 300-gallon shared alley containers. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Scottsdale residents.

Free options at a glance

Scottsdale’s 2,000-lbs-per-week Salt River Landfill program is one of the most generous self-haul allowances in the country. Combined with monthly brush/bulk pickup and free home HHW collection, residents have multiple pathways for any disposal need. Phoenix metro nearby includes Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Phoenix.

Salt River Landfill (2,000 lbs/week FREE)

The Salt River Landfill program is Scottsdale’s standout disposal benefit and one of the most generous self-haul allowances in any U.S. city. Up to 2,000 pounds per week, free.

How it works:

· Scottsdale residential utility customers may haul up to 2,000 pounds per week to the Salt River Landfill at no cost

· Bring valid documentation (utility bill + driver’s license matching service address)

· Additional visits or weight in the same week charged to next utility bill at landfill rates

Required documents:

· City of Scottsdale utility bill

· Valid driver’s license with the same name AND service address as the utility bill

· E-billing customers: print your most recent statement to bring as proof (digital won’t be accepted)

What’s accepted: Trash, brush, yard waste, bulk items, furniture, mattresses, large household items.

What’s NOT accepted:

· Hazardous waste (use home HHW collection)

· Liquid wastes

· Tires in bulk quantities (use tire shops)

· Items containing refrigerant without certification

Strategic use:

· Plan large cleanouts across multiple weeks — 2,000 lbs/week resets weekly

· Move-out cleanouts that span 3-4 weeks can dispose of significant volume free

· Post-renovation debris under 2,000 lbs is fully covered

Find current hours and address: Visit scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste.

Monthly brush and bulk collection

Scottsdale’s monthly brush and bulk pickup runs by neighborhood zone. Find your collection week using the address-based “My Services” tool.

How to find your collection week:

· Visit scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste/my-services

· Enter your address in the “My Services” tool

· Tool shows your trash, recycling, AND brush/bulk dates

Set-out:

· Place brush and bulk items at curbside by 5:00 AM Monday of your scheduled collection week

· Items should NOT be placed out more than 7 days early

· Pickup may occur any day during your collection week

Brush bundling:

· Bundle brush and branches securely

· Tie with twine or rope (no wire)

· Bundles should be manageable size for crew

Container rule: Remove all materials from containers — leave containers empty at curb for pickup. Items must be free of containers, bags, and boxes.

What’s typically accepted: Brush, branches, yard waste, furniture, mattresses, appliances (some restrictions), bulk household items.

Alternative for items between cycles: Use the Salt River Landfill program (up to 2,000 lbs/week free). Don’t pile items at the curb between collection weeks — this can trigger code enforcement.

Home HHW collection service

Scottsdale offers an unusual benefit: free home HHW collection. Schedule pickup directly from your home, no need to drive to an HHW facility.

What’s accepted:

· Paint (latex and oil-based), paint thinner, solvents

· Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid)

· Batteries (auto, household, lithium)

· Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals

· Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs

How to schedule: Visit scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste.

Free electronics recycling events: Quarterly events for Scottsdale residents. Bring TVs, computers, monitors, printers, and other consumer electronics.

Year-round alternatives:

· Auto parts stores: AutoZone, O’Reilly, Advance Auto accept used motor oil and lead-acid batteries free

· Best Buy: Most consumer electronics free at customer service

Hot Load warning: Scottsdale specifically warns about “Hot Loads” — loads of waste that catch fire, smolder, or spontaneously combust because of incompatible waste mixing inside a garbage truck. NEVER mix gasoline, pesticides, bleach, ammonia, household cleaners, or other reactive materials into your trash, recycling, or brush/bulk pile. Read warning labels: “Flammable,” “Corrosive,” “Oxidizer,” and “Combustible” phrases mean special disposal required.

Weekly trash and recycling

Scottsdale Solid Waste Services provides weekly trash and weekly recycling collection for ~84,000 single-family residential accounts. Use the address-based “My Services” tool to find your specific days.

Find your collection days: Visit scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste/my-services and type in your address. The tool shows trash, recycling, AND brush/bulk dates.

Set-out timing:

· Containers curbside on day of pickup OR after 3:00 PM the day prior

· Retrieve by 10:00 AM the day following collection

Cart positioning rules:

· Place wheels against curb

· Never obstruct the sidewalk

· Allow safe pedestrian travel

Container storage when not at curb:

· Bins must be stored out of public view

· Behind a solid fence or in your garage

· View fences (slats with gaps) do NOT count as out of public view

Important: Residents must provide their own containers. Unlike many cities, Scottsdale does NOT provide trash or recycling carts. Residents purchase their own.

Single-stream recycling rules:

· “Clean, dry, and empty” — minimize contamination

· Empty, rinse if needed, dry before placing in cart

· All accepted recyclables together (single-stream)

· Flatten cardboard

· No bags inside recycling cart

Holiday schedule: Thanksgiving is observed on both Thursday AND Friday. Check the Solid Waste calendar for other observed holidays.

Missed collection: Report within 24 hours to ensure service.

Alley containers (some neighborhoods)

In some parts of Scottsdale, residential trash collection is provided via 300-gallon shared containers placed in alleys. These serve multiple households.

Alley container rules:

· Follow the same trash guidelines as curbside collection

· DO NOT re-position alley containers — they’re placed to provide best access to all users and away from overhead hazards

· Do NOT place rocks, landscaping gravel, dirt, or construction waste in the alley container or surrounding area (these must be taken to the landfill)

Alley maintenance: The city and residents share responsibility for maintaining unpaved alleys in Scottsdale. Help keep alleys clean by following container guidelines and reporting damage.

Property owner responsibility: Property owners are responsible for the proper disposal of waste on their premises and encouraged to utilize authorized disposal methods to ensure compliance with local regulations.

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 the 2,000-lb/week landfill allowance, immediate disposal that can’t wait for monthly bulk, items requiring in-home loading, or large cleanouts, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Scottsdale

Report illegal dumping to Scottsdale Solid Waste Services via scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste. For Arizona state environmental violations, contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Scottsdale 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