Get your SMART bin now

More than 2,800 Tempe residents are saving money with the SMART (Save Money and Recycle Tempe) program. To order your 48- or 65-gallon SMART garbage container, call 480-350-4311.

This volume-based pricing structure provides residents with curbside garbage collection the opportunity to voluntarily choose a smaller garbage container, reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill and recycling more.

• Reduces the amount material that is landfilled.
• Saves residents money on their monthly bill.
• Encourages residents to think about whether the items they're throwing out can be recycled, reused or donated instead.
• Encourages the purchase of items that can be recycled.
• Helps to reach Tempe City Council residential landfill diversion and recycling goals in conjunction with Performance Measurement 4.04.

Is SMART right for me?  

Tempe staff have conducted tests to determine how many kitchen-sized trash bags will fit into both the 48- and 65-gallon containers.  For the 48-gallon container, we estimate two to three white, kitchen-sized trash bags.  For the 65-gallon container, we estimate four to five white, kitchen-sized trash bags.  The amount of trash bags per container will vary, based on the fullness of the bags.  Containers may not be overfilled, and the container lid must shut all the way when closed.  Please remember to bag and tie your garbage bags.  However, remember to never bag recycling.

2024 Rates

Frequently Asked Questions

• Was Tempe the first city to implement this kind of program?

No.  Hundreds of these programs exist in cities and towns across the country, including in Maricopa County.  They are commonly referred to as "Volume-based pricing" or  “Pay as you throw” programs. 

• Does throwing away less garbage really make a difference?

Putting less waste in garbage containers can make a big environmental difference.  When people generate less waste and recycle more, fewer natural resources are used and there is less pollution from manufacturing.  Valuable landfill space is conserved as well, reducing the need to site new facilities.

• What happens if I have a special circumstance where I have an unusual amount of trash?  Like when I have a party, holidays, out-of-town guests, etc.? 

The easiest thing to do is to ask a neighbor if you can use their garbage container.  They may have extra room.  You can call Tempe 311 at 480-350-4311 to schedule a collection outside of your regular schedule for an additional fee.  Or you can also take your extra garbage to the transfer station.  Please click here for more info.

• How can I learn more about how to recycle? 

 For information about how to properly recycle, please click here.

• How will you ensure that residents aren’t asking for a smaller garbage container and simply throwing garbage in the recycling bin?

The City has increased the number of inspections of recycling bins throughout the city to ensure compliance.  If found to be out of compliance, residents are educated on the proper recycling process.  Continued non-compliance may result in removal of the recycling container.

• Why can’t residents with shared alley collection participate?

The 300-gallon garbage containers in some alleys are shared by three residences and are not individually allocated per resident.  Additionally, to optimize collection efficiency, the City cannot route both curbside and alley collection service on the same alley.