Recycling guidelines for cities across metro Phoenix

What's recyclable and what's not in metro Phoenix? Here are the major cities in Maricopa County, with information on what you can and can't put in the curbside recycling bins.

If you still have questions, follow the links to dig deeper into the city's trash and recycling guidelines. (Don't see your city or town on this list? Check with your trash service provider.)

You can recycle: paper, cardboard, cereal boxes (remove the liner bag first), sticky notes and other office paper, magazines and newspapers, egg cartons (paper or cardboard, not foam), empty paper or cardboard milk or juice cartons, empty juice or soup boxes, paper bags, shredded paper (in a plastic bag), non-metallic wrapping paper, coffee cup lids, jugs and jars, glass jars, aluminum foil (balled up) or trays (cleaned of food), steel, aluminum and tin cans.

You can't recycle: paper towels, napkins, tissues, light bulbs, polystyrene or foam materials, plastic bags, yard waste, electronics, batteries, scrap metal, car parts.

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More information: https://www.phoenix.gov/publicworks/residential-recycling

You can recycle: broken down cardboard, paper, food boxes, mail, beverage cans, food cans, glass bottles, glass and plastic jars, jugs, plastic bottles and caps.

You can't recycle: Styrofoam, shrink and bubble wrap, plastic utensils, paper towels, napkins and tissues, wax-coated beverage cups, plastic six-pack beverage rings, padded mailing envelopes, stained glass or mirrors, construction materials, porcelain and ceramics, cereal box liners, dog or cat food bags, food waste, shredded paper.

More information: https://www.tempe.gov/government/municipal-utilities/solid-waste-and-recycling/residential-recycling

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You can recycle: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, office paper, paper bags, junk mail and envelopes, paper or cardboard food cartons, food boxes (cereal, crackers, pasta), shoe boxes, moving boxes, paper towel or bathroom tissue cardboard tubes, pizza boxes (if not too greasy or soiled), cardboard egg cartons, bottles, jars and jugs (leave lids attached), aluminum cans, aluminum foil or food trays, tin cans, empty aerosol cans, beverage bottles, food jars.

You can't recycle: Dirty or greasy cardboard, paper drinking cups, plastic bags and packing materials, foam cups, to-go containers, cans with paint, pesticides or other hazardous materials, hangers, mirrors, windows.

More information: https://www.chandleraz.gov/residents/recycling-and-trash

You can recycle: paper products except soiled, shredded, metallic, waxed or tissue paper, cardboard broken down with all packaging removed (no soiled or greasy items), bottles, jugs, jars, beverage containers, steel, tin or aluminum containers.

You can't recycle: The city offers a recycling search function on its website, but the rule of thumb is "when in doubt, throw it out."

More information: https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/public-works/solid-waste/recycling

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You can recycle: Office paper, newspaper, mail, magazines, broken down cardboard boxes, beverage bottles, jugs, cans.

You can't recycle: The city has a lengthy list of items it no longer accepts, including glass jars, laundry jugs, cereal boxes, milk and juice cartons, aluminum foil and food trays, plastic food jars, and more, with the rule of thumb, "when in doubt, keep it out."

More information: https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/trash-recycling/trash-recycling-for-single-family-homes/blue-barrel-recycling-program

You can recycle: Office paper, newspapers, junk mail, shopping bags, broken down cardboard, clean pizza boxes, paper cups, cardboard egg and milk cartons, paper cups, cardboard towel and tissue tubes, jugs, jars, bottles, cans, empty aerosol cans, aluminum foil and food trays.

You can't recycle: Tissue paper, paper towels, plastic bags and wrap, snack wrappers, batteries, clothing and textiles, styrofoam.

More information: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste/collection-guidelines

You can recycle: Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, paper bags, catalogs, telephone books, shredded paper, cereal boxes, cardboard milk and egg cartons, broken down cardboard boxes, aluminum, steel and tin cans, jars and jugs, items with the 1 or 2 recycling symbol.

You can't recycle: Paper plates, paper towels and napkins, plastic bags, bubble wrap, fast-food cups and containers, plastic utensils, hangers, scrap metal.

More information: https://www.glendaleaz.com/live/city_services/trash_and_recycling_solid_waste/recycling

You can recycle: Newspapers, mail, cardboard cartons, bottles, jugs, jars, aluminum foil

You can't recycle: Napkins, tissues, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes, plastic wraps and bags, electronics, batteries, scrap metal, yard waste, styrofoam.

More information: https://www.peoriaaz.gov/government/departments/public-works-and-utilities/solid-waste/recycling-in-peoria

You can recycle: Office paper, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, paper bags, telephone books, junk mail, broken down cardboard boxes, cardboard food containers, bottles, jars, cans, aluminum foil, empty aerosol cans.

You can't recycle: Paper towels, napkins, tissues, paper plates, plastic bags, bubble wrap, glass cookware, stained glass, light bulbs, mirrors, batteries, styrofoam.

More information: https://www.avondaleaz.gov/government/departments/public-works/solid-waste/trash-recycling-services

You can recycle: Aluminum, tin, cardboard, paper and plastic, with exceptions in each category. The city recommends residents visit the recycling website if they have questions.

You can't recycle: Greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags, cereal box liners, styrofoam, textiles (including shoes), air filters, and green waste such as grass, shrubs and tree cuttings.

More information: https://www.goodyearaz.gov/government/departments/public-works/trash-recycling-services

You can recycle: Plastic bottles marked No. 1 and No. 2 (milk, soda, condiment, water, shampoo, detergent containers. Leave the lids on or throw them out separately); cardboard, aluminum and tin cans.

You can't recycle: Most other items not noted above. The city has limited its recycling program and disposes of any items in curbside bins at the landfill. Drop-off recycling is available; check the website for details.

More information: https://surpriseaz.gov/568/Trash-Recycling

You can recycle: Flattened cardboard, newspapers, magazines, office paper and common mail, beverage and food cans, plastic food and liquid containers with the lids on.

You can't recycle: Plastic bags, styrofoam, food waste, batteries, yard waste, textiles, construction materials.

More information: https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/residents/trash-and-recycling/

You can recycle: Plastic bottles and containers, milk or juice cartons, aluminum or metal cans, paper and corrugated cardboard (flatten boxes before recycling), glass bottles and jars.

You can't recycle: Pizza boxes, styrofoam, food waste, batteries, electronics, light bulbs, plastic bags, yard waste, paper towels and napkins, hazardous materials.

More information: https://www.queencreekaz.gov/departments/trash-recycling/recycling