City of Tempe, AZ
Home MenuZero Waste days
A free, drive-thru event to recycle or repurpose your waste
Zero Waste Day is an opportunity to recycle items that cannot go into the blue recycling container. Clean out your attic, closet and garage of unwanted items and properly dispose of household hazardous waste at Tempe's Zero Waste Day events.
The next City of Tempe Zero Waste Day event is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Tempe Fire Training Center, 1340 E. University Drive.
Proof of Tempe or Guadalupe residency is required.
Accepted forms include a current driver’s license, lease/rental agreement, mail with name and address or most recent Tempe Water utility bill. Students of universities or other educational institutions located within Tempe are welcome to participate if student ID is presented.
Diverting thousands of pounds from the landfill every event
Tempe residents love their Zero Waste Day events and the attendance grows each time! The November Zero Waste Day event saw 581 cars drive through and 60,731 pounds of waste diverted from the landfill. Tempe thanks those who show up to divert their waste and support this local event.
What We Accept
Tempe is committed to managing waste responsibly and works closely with partners to ensure material is diverted from the landfill, recycled or reused whenever possible.
Accepted items can change from event to event.
What is not accepted
Commercial or industrial products and hazardous waste, plastic bags and wraps, mattresses, car seats, bulk trash, small foam items (foam peanuts, cups, plates, takeout containers or egg cartons), pet medications or pets for surrender. Items delivered in trash bags will not be accepted for health and safety reasons.
Drop-off procedures
Zero Waste Day is a drive-thru event.
Store items for disposal in the rear-most part of the vehicle. For example: truck bed, trunk or rear hatch. Items will not be accepted from the front or back seat.
Stay in the vehicle at all times. Staff will unload your items.
Transport waste items in cardboard boxes. No plastic bags will be accepted, with the exception of a small bag used to carry batteries. Containers will not be returned.