Rising Costs Could End Phoenix's Municipal Recycling Program

The city of Phoenix will either have to raise the rate for waste removal int he city or cut programs like recycling.

1 minute read

November 14, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Phoenix, Arizona

Andrew Yahin / Shutterstock

"Disposing of trash, recyclables and yard waste is getting more expensive for Phoenix, and the city likely will have to start passing that cost onto customers or discontinue its recycling and compost programs altogether," reports Jessica Boehm.

The cost of waste removal for single-family residences in Phoenix has held steady for ten years, at $26.80 a month, but that rate is no longer enough to cover expense for the services of Phoenix Public Works.

"Just to continue curbside trash pickup in Phoenix, the city will need to raise the rate by $4.75 per month. If it wants to keep its recycling and green organics programs as well, the city will have to bump the rate by $6.40," according to Boehm.

The article includes more details about the four rate change proposals under consideration before the City Council, which will vote on the issue in January.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in Arizona Republic

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

3 hours ago - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

4 hours ago - Gothamist