This schedule lists what can and can't go in your Western Waste containers. It is the Schedule of Accepted Materials referred to in Articles III, V(d) and XIV of our Standard Terms and Conditions. The version on this page at the time of each pickup applies.
Not sure about an item? Call (520) 724-1449 before you toss it, and we'll tell you where it goes.
Trash Containers
Accepted
Everyday non-hazardous waste from your business or property, including:
- Food waste and food packaging (bag wet or loose food waste)
- Paper towels, napkins, tissues and other soiled paper
- Non-recyclable plastics, packaging, foam cups and containers
- Office and breakroom waste
- Floor sweepings and small amounts of general debris
- Bagged household-type waste from apartment and HOA residents
Not accepted
These are prohibited materials under Article V(d) of our Standard Terms. Never place them in any container:
- Hazardous materials: anything toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, reactive or radioactive, and any hazardous waste or special waste as defined by federal, state or local law
- Liquids: liquids, sludge and free-flowing waste, including cooking oil and grease (use a grease or rendering service)
- Automotive and shop fluids: used oil, solvents, liquid paint, fuels, antifreeze and other automotive fluids
- Batteries of any kind, including lithium-ion, which can start fires in our trucks
- Tires
- Medical waste: sharps, needles, and biomedical, infectious or regulated medical waste
- Asbestos or materials containing asbestos
- Electronics where separately regulated, including TVs, monitors and computers
- Appliances containing refrigerants, such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners
- Pressurized cylinders: propane tanks and compressed gas cylinders
- Hot ashes, coals or embers
- Fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing items
- Animal carcasses
- Construction and demolition debris, unless your Service Order includes it: concrete, brick, rock, dirt, lumber, roofing, drywall and tile
Not accepted in front-load containers
These need a separate pickup. Call us for a quote:
- Furniture, mattresses and other bulky items
- Large amounts of yard waste, dirt or rock, which can exceed the container's weight limit
Recycling Containers
Recycling must be empty, clean, dry and loose. Don't bag recyclables, and break down boxes so they fit.
Single-stream recycling: accepted
- Corrugated cardboard, flattened
- Paperboard, such as cereal, cracker and shoe boxes
- Office paper, newspaper, magazines, catalogs and mail
- Plastic bottles and jugs marked #1 or #2
- Aluminum and steel cans
Cardboard recycling: accepted
- Clean, dry corrugated cardboard, flattened
- Paperboard boxes
Not accepted in any recycling container
- Plastic bags, film and shrink wrap
- Food, liquids, and food-soiled or greasy paper and cardboard, such as used pizza boxes
- Wax-coated cardboard
- Foam (polystyrene) containers, cups and packing peanuts
- Glass
- Cartons, such as milk and juice cartons
- Plastics marked #3 through #7
- Shredded paper
- Hoses, cords, wire and chains
- Clothing and textiles
- Diapers
- Anything listed under Trash Containers, Not accepted
Overfilled and Overweight Containers
Lids must close completely. Don't place bags or items on top of or around the container, and don't overload it with heavy materials like dirt, rock or liquids. An overfilled or overweight container is subject to the overage fee on our Additional Services & Fees page (Article V(c)).
If the Wrong Materials Are Found
- Our driver may leave a container unemptied if it holds prohibited materials, and we'll contact you.
- A contamination fee applies, plus any fee the receiving facility charges us (Article V(d)). A recycling load that can't be recycled may also be billed at our trash disposal rate. See Additional Services & Fees for current amounts.
- Prohibited materials remain your responsibility. We'll tell you how to dispose of them properly.
- Repeated problems may lead to a recommended change in container size, service frequency or service type.
Changes to This Schedule
We may update this schedule when our disposal or recycling facilities change what they accept, or when the law changes. Updates are posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Material changes take effect no sooner than 30 days after we notify customers, as described in Article XVII of our Standard Terms and Conditions.
Questions?
Call (520) 724-1449, Monday–Friday, 7am–5pm, and a member of our Tucson team will help you sort it out.