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2026 Proposed Solid Waste Rate Adjustment
In order to keep up with operating costs, Public Works has proposed an increase to the monthly rate for residential solid waste collection.
The initial proposal was presented to City Council on February 10, 2026. Council will vote on whether to implement the increase in April 2026. The resources below explain the details of the proposal and the reasons behind it. This page also answers common questions residents may have about the proposed increase.
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 to keep revenue on pace with expenses in the future, a proposed multi-year fee increase is recommended. 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 proposed adjustments to the monthly solid waste fee are as follows:
- $6 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2026
$6 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2027
$5 monthly rate increase effective July 1, 2028 - Include an inflationary factor not to exceed 5% annually from July 1, 2029 through June 30, 2034.
- Increase the optional curbside green organics collection subscription fee to one-fourth of the applicable monthly Solid Waste rate, effective July 1, 2026.
If a rate increase does not go into effect to start the fiscal year in July 2026, the Public Works Department would be unable to provide solid waste collection and disposal services as they currently exist. The alternative to a rate increase would be large reductions in service.
Proposed Rate Adjustment Details
| Month/Year | Proposed dollar increase |
Equivalent % increase |
New proposed monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | + $6.00/month | 16% | $43.32 |
| July 2027 | + $6.00/month | 14% | $49.32 |
| July 2028 | + $5.00/month | 10% | $54.32 |
| Month/Year | Proposed dollar increase |
Equivalent % increase |
New monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2029 | up to $2.72/month | up to 5% | up to $57.04 |
| July 2030 | up to $2.85/month | up to 5% | up to $59.90 |
| July 2031 | up to $2.99/month | up to 5% | up to $62.89 |
| July 2032 | up to $3.15/month | up to 5% | up to $66.03 |
| July 2033 | up to $3.30/month | up to 5% | up to $69.33 |
| Month/Year | New subscription fee |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | $10.83 |
| July 2027 | $12.33 |
| July 2028 | $13.58 |
Attend a Community Info. Session
Paradise Valley Community Center Multipurpose Room
17402 N. 40th Street
6 p.m.
Maryvale Community Center Auditorium
4420 N. 51st Avenue
6 p.m.
South Mountain Community Library
7050 S. 24th Street
6 p.m.
Washington Activity Center Multipurpose Room
2240 W. Citrus Way
6 p.m.
Desert West Community Center Multipurpose Room
6501 W Virginia Ave
6 p.m.
Hosted via Webex
10 a.m.
Encanto Park Clubhouse
2605 N. 15th Avenue
6 p.m.
Beauf Community Center Multipurpose Room
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road
6 p.m.
Deer Valley Community Center
2001 W. Wahalla Ln
6 p.m.
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
- April 22, 2026: Formal Meeting (Council vote)
- May-June 2026: Customer notifications and reminders (if approved)
- July 1, 2026: New rates go into effect (if approved)
Contact Us
Can't make it to a community meeting? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below, or reach out to us directly if you still have questions or feedback about the proposed rate increase.
Email: solid.waste@phoenix.gov
Phone: 602-262-6251
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.
If approved, the rate would increase over the next three fiscal years, with the first increase of $6/month beginning on July 1, 2026.
If the proposed solid waste rate adjustment is not approved, the ability to provide solid waste collection and post-collection services will be severely impacted and will require significant service reductions.
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. If approved, 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.
$37.32 per month.
- Weekly residential garbage and recycle collection
- Monthly drop-offs (up to 1 ton) at transfer stations
- Four bulk trash collections per year
- Illegal dumping and CARES clean-up support
- Household Hazardous Waste home collection (1/year) and drop-off events
- Dead animal collection
- Moving box home collection
- Christmas tree drop off (seasonal)
City Council will vote on the proposal on April 22, 2026.
Yes. The city offers a 60-gallon container for residents currently receiving curbside collection service. Residents can opt to exchange the standard 90-gallon container for a smaller 60-gallon container at a reduced monthly rate of $3 less per month (currently $34.32 per month).
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 are invited to attend any of the nine community information sessions listed above to ask questions and learn more from our Public Works team. You can also reach us by email 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
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