Tucson Recycles, the garbage and recycling collection system designed to:

• Provide more recycling capacity and convenience for citizens
• Be efficient and economically sensible
• Keep Tucson’s recycling rate growing above current 21%
• Extend the life of our landfill
• Conserve natural resources

Highlights:

• Weekly garbage and recycling collection on the same day
• All recycling commingled together in blue barrel and in neighborhood recycling centers
• Small businesses with plastic container garbage service are included
• Explanded recycling for commercial customers now available
• Go to the detailed list of recyclable materials

Guidelines for blue barrel recycling: No plastic bags (except shredded paper); no garbage. Please make sure materials are clean, empty and dry. Set out your blue barrel for collection when it is more than half full. Having the truck stop for nearly-empty containers increases fuel consumption and air pollution. Have barrel at curb by 6 a.m. to ensure service. Leave labels on containers. Bottle and jar caps and lids can be recycled on or off. Lightly rinse food containers. Use water wisely - throw very dirty items into the garbage. All recyclables go loose into the blue barrel, together - - no sorting! Please put them in individually, not inside a box or bag. Do not flatten cans and bottles to insure sorting equipment works properly. Do flatten corrugated cardboard boxes. Remove plastic wrapping and liners. Shredded paper may be recycled in the blue barrel if it is secured in a clear plastic bag. This is the only time that plastic bags can go in the recycling container. If in doubt whether an item is recyclable, call 791-5000 to find out or put it in the garbage.

Frequently Asked Questions

English FAQ (pdf format)
Spanish FAQ (pdf format)

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City of Tucson Environmental Services
Customer Service 791-3171
Recycling Info 791-5000
Website: www.tucsonrecycles.org
E-mail: recycle@ci.tucson.az.us
Website: www.cityoftucson.org/esd/