623.222.6231

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Recycling drop off containers are provided by the city of Surprise at the following locations:
Questions? Contact 623.222.6000.

Acceptable Materials:
Paper products: cardboard, newspaper, magazines, paper bags, junk mail, food boxes. 
Plastics: bleach bottles, milk jugs, soda and water bottles, and other plastics with screw tops. Steel, aluminum and aerosol cans are also acceptable.

RECYCLE in the Blue Can

Do Recycle:

Recycle Paper
Newspapers and ad inserts, magazines, catalogues, phonebooks, white paper, paper bags, junk mail, envelopes and any other clean dry paper.

Recycle Cardboard
Empty food boxes like cake, cracker and cereal boxes (without plastic insert), milk and OJ cartons, paper towel tubes, broken down large boxes.

Recycle Food and Beverage Cans
Aluminum beverage cans and steel cans like soup, pet food, tuna, fruit and vegetable.

Recycle Empty Aerosol Cans
Shaving cream, deodorant, and cooking spray.

Recycle Plastics
Water bottles, milk jugs and bleach, shampoo and detergent bottles. Any #1 - #7 Plastic container with a narrow neck and screw top.

If you are unsure, give us a call at 623.222.6231.

Don't Recycle:

No Glass
Bottles, jars, window glass, cookware, light bulbs, ceramics.

No Styrofoam
Food containers, cups, plates, egg cartons, packing material and peanuts.

No Garbage
Diapers, air or furnace filters, pet waste, food, garden hoses.

No Yard Waste
Grass, rocks, leaves, branches.

No Construction Materials
Cement, wood, shingles, drywall.

No Plastic bags, yogurt cups, motor oil containers, shrink wrap

No Clothing or Shoes

No automotive parts, car tires, or batteries

No appliances or electronics

If you are unsure, give us a call at 623.222.6231.

In neighborhoods without sidewalks, the container should be placed next to the street, but not on the asphalt. In all other areas, the cans will be collected from the street, just like regular garbage collection. Sidewalks must be kept clear for pedestrian and wheelchair access at all times.

Recyclable materials collected in Surprise’s curbside program will be co-mingled, rather than source-separated. This means, all of the recyclable materials should be placed in the container together, instead of in different containers for each type of material.

Containers should be rinsed enough to remove food before being put in the recycling container; this will help avoid attracting flies and other pests. There is no need to remove labels from the containers, and lids may be left on if they are also made of acceptable recyclable material. Inserts must be removed from food boxes, and larger cardboard boxes must be broken down so that they do not get wedged in the recycling container.

Do not bag and tie recyclables before placing them in the container for collection. All recyclable materials must be left loose in the container in order to facilitate the mechanical sorting process at the recycling facility.

Every single-family residence already being serviced by the City's Public Works Division participates in the recycling program. This includes all Surprise neighborhoods that have their trash collected by the City of Surprise. Each residence receiving service will be issued a blue city-owned recycling container, and all recycling collection will take place at the public curb in front of the residences.

Surprise has had a successful Recycling Program for over four years.  During that time, over 20,000 tons of valuable resources have been recycled and saved from being buried in a landfill forever.

History

An Arizona State University survey demonstrated that a majority of Surprise residents wanted the City to provide curbside recycling services.  The Council reviewed options and voted in September of 2003 to approve curbside recycling for all single-family residences serviced by the City's Public Works Division.  Over the years, the program has continued to grow. In fact, volumes have doubled from 300 to about 600 tons per month further demonstrating our City’s commitment to the program and to the environment. 

Benefits

Not only does recycling save valuable natural resources and energy, but recycling saves our limited landfill space.  Landfills are extremely expensive to build and operate. New landfill designs now require extensive environmental controls to protect the groundwater and air quality.  Every ton that is recycled saves the City landfill disposal expenses and in fact generates income to run the program less expensively.  Recycling is expected to generate over $65,000 in revenue for the City during 2008 and will save over $150,000 in disposal expenses at the landfill.  That makes sense for all residents. 

Future

The City of Surprise Strategic Plan includes a goal of establishing a sustainable environment and a sustainable economy.  Recycling helps achieve both these goals by generating income, reducing expenses, and recovery valuable resources that would otherwise be wasted.  Recycling will continue to be an important quality of life feature that new residents will come to expect from a vibrant progressive community like Surprise.  Recycling will continue to grow and become an earth friendly habit that benefits everyone.