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Refuse & Recycling FAQs

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Q: How do I set up service and get a trash and recycling can for my new home?

A: New residents should call American Water at 888-300-3569 to order a receptacle. Allow seven to 10 days for delivery. Remember, we offer free, one-time pick up of moving boxes. Boxes must be flattened and tied or taped together. To schedule a pick up, call the Public Works Department at 623.222.6000.

Q: When does my trash get picked up?

A: The city of Surprise offers residential curbside garbage pickup once a week and recycling once a week. Each resident is provided with a 95-gallon trash receptacle and recycling receptacle.

- View the regular collection schedule or download the regular collection schedule zone map.

- Download the holiday collection schedule.

- Lookup your service days by your address at MySurpriseAddress

Q: How do I get my damaged or missing trash or recycling can replaced?

A: For damaged or missing containers, call 623.222.6000 for repair or replacement. Allow three to five days for delivery or repair.

Q: How do I report a problem?

A: Report any of the following problems by calling 623.222.6000 or submit an online service request.

- Clogged storm drains
- Downed trees
- Dead animal on City streets
- Flooded roads
- Garbage can broken
- Garbage container missed during normal routes
- Illegal dumping
- Potholes/debris on City streets Online Service Request

Q: How do I start, stop or cancel my service?

A: Call American Water at 888-300-3569 to discontinue service. The container remains part of the property and should be left in a secure location.

Q: I have a billing question. Who do I call?

A: Billing for City of Surprise trash collection services is handled by American Water. For billing problems or payment instructions, call 888-300-3569. Payments may also be made at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N Civic Center Plaza. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 7am - 6pm. AZ American Water billing & payment info

Q: Why didn't my garbage get dumped?

A: Usually it’s one of four reasons:

- The truck came by before your container was put at the curb. Your container should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. Don’t rely on routes being run at the same time every week.

- It contained illegal materials such as rocks, bricks, etc., or was over the 200 pound weight limit.

- A car or other obstacle was blocking access to the trash container

- It’s a City holiday. Download the Holiday Collection Schedule

Q: Does Surprise provide bulk trash pickup?

A: Bulk Trash is material that is too large or bulky for regular collection. Bulk trash could include collection of furniture, large appliances, and large amounts of vegetation or limbs and is free for up to three cubic yards. Small amounts of vegetation or yard debris can be bagged and tied with your regular trash. The Solid Waste Division will haul the first 3 cubic yards (1 cubic yard is approximately the size of a full-size washer or dryer) at no charge per fiscal year (July-June). Should you elect to schedule additional pickups, EXCESS BULK TRASH WILL BE BILLED AT THE RATE OF $8 PER CUBIC YARD. No dirt, rocks, concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, roofing materials, batteries or hazardous materials will be collected. Download the Bulk Trash Info Sheet

Q: What items are considered "hazardous waste"?

A: The city of Surprise offers hazardous waste collection events at different times throughout the year. For a list of upcoming events and acceptable materials, visit the hazardous material collection page

Q: How do I report a streetlight repair?

A:

All streetlight outage service requests can be made by calling the City's service request 222-CARE system or through the 222-CARE online service request under Public Works- Engineering.

Be prepared to report the pole number. The number is located on the pole, about six feet off the ground and is usually six digits or more.

Report a Streetlight Outage

Q: Does Surprise have a landfill?

A: The landfill is operated by Waste Management and located at 19401 W. Deer Valley Rd. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Click here for more information about the Northwest Regional Landfill

Q: Do you offer moving box pickup?

A: As a welcome to Surprise, each new resident receives a free, one-time pick up of moving boxes. Boxes must be flattened and tied or taped together. To schedule a pick up, call the Public Works Department at 623.222.6000.

Q: How do I dispose of household needles/lancets?

A: The AZ Department of Environmental Quality has developed guidelines for the proper disposal of household needles/lancets.

The AZ DEQ guidance includes the following recommendations:

- Medical sharps should be placed in either a medical sharps container purchased from a pharmacy or health care provider, or in a heavy-plastic or metal container.

- The container should be puncture-proof with a tight-fitting lid.

- Household containers, such as plastic detergent bottles, can be used if heavy duty tape is used to secure the lid to the container and the words “Not Recyclable” are written on the container with a black indelible marker.

The AZ DEQ guidance includes these warnings:

- Do not use a clear or glass container.
- Do not over-fill the containers.
Keep container out of reach of children and pets.

- Always wash your hands after handling or touching medical sharps. Visit the AZDEQ web site to review guidelines.

Q: Who do I call to report mosquito problems?

A: To report mosquito related problems, call 602.273.0895 (24-hours) or 602.506.6616