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2026 Solid Waste Rate Adjustment

A solid waste rate adjustment was approved by City Council on April 22. This site explains how the rate will be implemented, and answers common questions customers may have about solid waste services.

Current Solid Waste Rates
Financial Assistance
On This Page...

Rate Approved by City Council

Since presenting the initial multi-year rate recommendation at the February 10, 2026 Policy Session, staff reviewed feedback from the Community Solid Waste Rate Information Sessions and the customer survey. Considering community and City Council feedback and concerns, and staff’s continued efforts to identify operational efficiencies, the original rate recommendation was reduced from a $17 increase over 3 years to a $14 increase over 3 years.

City Council approved the smaller increase on April 22.

Overview

The Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department operates as an enterprise fund, meaning it covers all operating costs with its own revenue, rather than with general funds from the City's budget. While some of Solid Waste's revenue comes from drop-off disposal fees and the sale of recyclables, the vast majority (86%) of the money Solid Waste bring in comes from the monthly fee residents pay to have their solid waste collected from their homes. This fee is reflected on a customer's monthly city services bill, which also includes fees for water and sewer services.

The last time a solid waste rate adjustment was approved by Phoenix City Council was in 2020. Since then, staff costs have risen 32%, vehicle costs have gone up by 52%, and construction and maintenance costs for critical infrastructure have increased by 40%. During the same time period, the monthly solid waste rate only increased by 2% annually. The Solid Waste Division is expecting a budget shortfall of $20.8 million this fiscal year. To address this shortfall and keep revenue on pace with expenses, a rate increase is needed. The increase will ensure that Solid Waste can continue providing reliable service and comply with legal requirements when it comes to operating necessary solid waste infrastructure, such as landfills and transfer stations.

The approved adjustments to the monthly solid waste fee are as follows:

  • $5 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2026
    $5 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2027
    $4 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2028 ​
  • Include an inflationary factor not to exceed 5% annually from July 1, 2029 through July 1, 2033.
  • Increase the optional curbside green organics collection subscription fee to one-fourth of the applicable monthly Solid Waste rate, effective July 1, 2026.​
  • Increase discount for smaller, 60-gallon container from $3/month to $5/month.

This increase to the solid waste rate will enable the Public Works Department to continue providing solid waste collection and disposal services as they currently exist. 

Public Works collected feedback on the proposed rate increase through both community info sessions and a customer survey. The survey is now closed, but customers can always email us at solid.waste@phoenix.gov.

Approved Rate Adjustment Schedule

Proposed Increase to Monthly Solid Waste Rate
Month/Year Proposed dollar
increase		 Equivalent %
increase		 New proposed
monthly fee
July 2026 + $5.00/month 13% $42.32
July 2027 + $5.00/month 12% $47.32
July 2028 + $4.00/month 8% $51.32
  • Each July from 2029 to 2033, Public Works will assess the need for an infationary rate increase not to exceed 5% in a single year.
Proposed Curbside Green Organics collection subscription fee (one fourth of the applicable monthly solid waste rate)
Month/Year New subscription fee
July 2026 $10.58
July 2027 $11.83
July 2028 $12.83

Community Info. Sessions (Concluded)

Paradise Valley Community Center Multipurpose Room
17402 N. 40th Street
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Maryvale Community Center Auditorium
4420 N. 51st Avenue
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

South Mountain Community Library
7050 S. 24th Street
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Sunnyslope Community Center
802 E. Vogel Avenue
9 a.m.

CONCLUDED

Washington Activity Center Multipurpose Room
2240 W. Citrus Way
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Desert West Community Center Multipurpose Room
6501 W Virginia Ave
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Hosted via Webex
10 a.m.

CONCLUDED

Encanto Park Clubhouse
2605 N. 15th Avenue
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Beuf Community Center Multipurpose Room
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Pecos Community Center Multipurpose Room
17010 S 48th St
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Deer Valley Community Center
2001 W. Wahalla Ln
6 p.m.

CONCLUDED

Customer Survey

Public Works collected feedback on the proposed rate increase over a period of five weeks through a customer survey. The survey is now closed. We will analyze the input received from the survey as we consider solid waste service options for the future.

Timeline

  • October 20, 2025: Solid Waste Rate Advisory Committee recommended approval 4-0 (complete)
  • February 10, 2026: Rate proposal presented to City Council at Policy Meeting (complete)
  • February-March 2026: Community info sessions (complete)
  • April 22, 2026: Formal Meeting (Council voted 8-1 to approve the rate)
  • May-June 2026: Customer notification period
  • July 1, 2026: New rates go into effect 
Public Works staff gives a presentation about the solid waste rate proposal to residents at a community meeting at the Washington Activity Center.

Contact Us

Want to learn more? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below, or reach out to us directly if you still have questions about the approved rate increase.
Email: solid.waste@phoenix.gov
Phone: 602-262-6251

A call center agent with a headset speaks with a customer on the phone while inputting data on the computer/

Important Documents & Recordings

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the last Council approved rate adjustment in 2020, the Solid Waste Management Program has seen increasing operational costs and anticipates a budget shortfall in the solid waste fund for this fiscal year. To address this shortfall, a proposed multi-year fee adjustment is being recommended. 

The rate will increase over the next three fiscal years, with the first increase of $5/month beginning on July 1, 2026.

The proposed rates and implementation schedule were developed by evaluating current expenditures and revenues, assessing the minimum operating reserve requirement, and accounting for future capital improvement needs.

An inflationary adjustment is a change to a rate that reflects current purchasing power rather than its past value. The Public Works Department will review operational and economic factors each year to determine whether an inflationary adjustment is needed and, if so, how much of an adjustment is needed to ensure cost recovery of services provided. The inflationary adjustment for each year will not exceed 5%, starting from July 1, 2029, through June 30, 2034, and will be reviewed by City Council annually prior to implementation. 

City Council voted 8-1 to approve the new rate on April 22, 2026.

Yes. The city offers a 60-gallon refuse (black) container for residents currently receiving curbside collection service. Residents can opt to exchange the standard 90-gallon container for the smaller 60-gallon container at a reduced monthly rate of $3 less per month (currently $34.32 per month).

The newly approved rate allows Public Works to increase the discount to $5/month for a 60-gallon trash container.

A household must be enrolled in the City's recycling program (which is no additional cost) to qualify for the smaller refuse container and the associated discount.

A black, 60-gallon trash containers stands next to a black, 90-gallon trash container at the curb in front of a house..
A large, 90-gallon container (right) can fit up to about five 13-gallon size bags, while a medium, 60-gallon container can fit four.

Yes. Project Assist is a resource to help those who are having trouble paying for water, sewer, or solid waste services from the City of Phoenix. Customers must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty income level to apply for assistance.

Project Assist is administered by the Human Services Department and funded by the Public Works Department, the Water Services Department, and customer donations.

Residents had the opportunity to attend any of 11 community information sessions (listed above) that were held during February and March 2026 to ask questions and learn more from our Public Works team. Customers can reach us by email anytime at solid.waste@phoenix.gov.

You can contact our Customer Contact Center by email at solid.waste@phoenix.gov or by phone at 602-262-6251.

About Phoenix Solid Waste