Scottsdale Solid Waste Services provides scheduled household hazardous waste collection at your home for residents who pay for residential waste collection services. This program is for residential utility customers only. Each residential address can have up to 3 collections per year for free.

2024 Collection Months:

Step 1:

Fill out the Hazardous Waste Home Collection application and explain the type of waste you wish to have picked up from your home.

Sign up for a Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Step 2:

You will receive one confirmation email indicating you are set for collection. You will also receive a 2nd email with the exact date of collection and instructions.

Step 3:

Ensure that you set out your items for collection by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. All containers must be clearly labeled to identify their contents, sealed if necessary, and placed out front at the edge of the property labeled as HHW (Hazardous Household Waste). The largest container eligible for collection is 5 gallons. You are eligible to have up to 20 gallons of waste picked up per appointment. Please note that the size limit is based on containers, not volume.

• The household hazardous waste program is for hazardous materials generated from residences only – no commercial hazardous materials will be accepted.
• Material should be tightly sealed in its original container, if possible, and placed in a cardboard box. Glass containers should be wrapped in towels, cloth or packaged in some other way to prevent breakage.
• If you are not a single-family home resident with Scottsdale solid waste services, check your local auto parts, home improvement or battery store: many will accept specific household hazardous waste items and properly dispose of them.

Disposing of Used Fireworks

Steps:

1. After your fireworks display, collect all used fireworks. Even if they appear burnt out, they can retain heat internally.
2. Submerge the used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight to ensure any remaining sparks or embers are completely extinguished.
3. The next day, remove the soaked fireworks from the water.
4. Place the wet fireworks into a plastic bag to avoid any leakage.
5. Dispose of the bagged fireworks in your garbage can.

Disposing of Unused Fireworks

Steps:

1. Gather any fireworks that were not ignited.
2. Submerge these unused fireworks in a large bucket of water. Soaking times vary depending on the size—small fireworks may require at least 15 minutes, while larger ones might need to soak overnight, according to safety experts.
3. Once thoroughly saturated, remove the fireworks from the water.
4. Double-wrap the soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or use two plastic bags to ensure they remain moist and are safely contained.
5. Place the double-bagged fireworks into a larger trash bag.
6. Dispose of the bag with your regular household trash.

By following these steps, you can safely dispose of both used and unused fireworks, minimizing the risk of accidental ignition and ensuring environmental safety.

When you no longer need a medication (prescription or non-prescription)

Recent research from the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that pharmaceuticals are now evident in our nation’s water bodies and groundwater – possibly due to improper disposal.

Instead, here’s a simple, safe and effective way to dispose of medications:

1. Place the medication(s) in a watertight container
2. Add enough warm water to help them dissolve into a paste
3. Add a small amount of an undesirable substance like dish soap, coffee grounds or kitty litter to prevent pets and animals from eating it
4. Bag and tie the container and place it in your black trash receptacle for normal collection