SMART (Save Money and Recycle Tempe)

SMART is a new voluntary program for curbside trash services where residents can save money by choosing a smaller trash bin, thus promoting more recycling, to help the environment. There is an option to downsize to either a 65-gallon or a 48-gallon trash bin from the standard 96-gallon bin, with the standard 96-gallon holding 6--7 white kitchen bags, the medium 65-gallon holding 4--5 kitchen bags, and the small 48-gallon holding 2--3 kitchen bags. As of December 2018, approximately 2,600 residents are taking part in the SMART program by switching to the 65- or 48-gallon trash bins. By taking part in the program, residents can save about $40 per year by switching to the 65-gallon can and nearly $65 per year when switching to the 48-gallon bin. Monthly, these Tempe residents will save a combined $12,000. This program can lead to residents producing less waste, encouraging more of them to recycle, saving them money on their monthly bill, and helping Tempe reach the City Council Performance Measure for residential waste diversion.

Partnerships

The city will continue to look at potential partnerships with Phoenix and neighboring municipalities to tackle local waste and recycling issues together.

Communication

Tempe will continue to seek improvement in our outreach and communication about waste, recycling, and hazardous waste. 

Our waste is something many never think about again once the plastic bag is tied and thrown into the trash bin, loaded onto the garbage truck, and sent to the landfill. But at the landfill, our trash releases methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, as it decomposes. Tempe can continue its success with waste diversion by partnering with residents to find new ways to communicate the importance of zero-waste practices

Remember that shredded paper, appliances, electronics, construction waste, building supplies, and scrap metal CANNOT be recycled in Tempe. Keep these products out of the curbside recycling bin and look at this page for more information on where these products can be properly recycled.

In addition to the above items, bagged recyclables (always keep recyclables loose) CANNOT be recycled. 

• Recycling

• Composting

• Household Products Collection Center (Household Hazardous Waste)

No current grants under the Solid Waste and Recycling focus area.

To see past grants that progressed the Solid Waste and Recycling within the City of Tempe, please visit the completed grants webpage here.

Tempe must find better ways to convey the importance of recycling and waste reduction strategies to residents.

Residents can call 480-350-5860 to order their 48- or 65-gallon SMART trash container.

City Collaboration

Participate in Tempe’s efforts to reduce waste. 

• Residents can call 480-350-5860 to order their 48- or 65-gallon SMART trash container.
• Make sure you are recycling correctly in Tempe, as recycling is different in each city. 
• Remember that shredded paper, appliances, electronics, construction waste, building supplies, and scrap metal CANNOT be recycled in Tempe. Keep these products out of the curbside recycling bin.
• In addition to the above items, bagged recyclables CANNOT be recycled. Keep your recyclables loose, not in a plastic garbage bag.  
• Take part in Tempe's waste diversion goals and participate in the Curbside Green Organics Pilot Program to dispose of your green waste. 
• Contact the Council Communicator in support of waste reduction strategies. 
• Residents can purchase compost at a 10 percent discount from Grow-Well brands by calling 602-269-5784 or visiting 2807 S. 27th Ave in Phoenix. To receive the discount pricing, residents will need to provide proof of residency in the form of a current utility bill and ID.

Individual Actions

Learn about ways you can live a zero-waste life. 

• Download our guide on how to ditch the dumpster.  
• Use this service for composting. 
• Learn about how to start a compost at home.  
• Here are tips and products to be zero-waste.  
• Learn about how to live a zero-waste life. 
• Learn about how you can move us towards a zero-waste society. 
• Learn more about the life span of objects and how they are still part of our lives after we no longer use them. 
• Learn about the life cycle of waste and why life-cycle assessments are important.

Tempe and businesses can continue working together to achieve waste diversion. 

• Use city recycling and trash services instead of private haulers.
• Use Tempe’s Curbside Green Organics Pilot Program to dispose of your green waste. 
• If you serve food commercially, take part in the Tempe Grease Cooperative to save money and ensure waste is disposed of properly. 
• Compost through this service. 
• Learn about waste programs from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).