Don't Trash Your Bin
Proper recycling starts with knowing what goes in—and what must stay out—of your mauve recycling container. Putting the wrong things in your recycling bin costs rate payers more and leads to entire truck loads being rejected and sent to the landfill.
To keep our recycling program effective, efficient and environmentally responsible, we ask residents to follow these basic recycling guidelines.
Do Not Put Plastic Bags or Liners in the Recycling Bin
Plastic bags are the leading source of contamination in Scottsdale’s recycling stream. They wrap around equipment at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), causing costly shutdowns and damaging the sorting machinery.
Never place these in your recycling container:
- Grocery or retail bags
- Trash can liners
- Zip-top or sandwich bags
- Plastic film or packaging wrap
- Bubble wrap or air pillows
Instead, many local retailers offer dedicated collection bins for plastic bag recycling. These include:
- AJ's Fine Foods
- Albertsons
- Bashas'
- Fry's Food Stores
- Lowe's
- Safeway
- Smart & Final
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Trader Joe's
- Walmart
Plastic bags must be returned to these stores. They cannot be recycled curbside.
If It’s Not on the List, Please Resist
Wishful thinking does not make something recyclable. Placing the wrong materials in your recycling container contaminates the entire truck load and puts the city’s recycling efforts at risk.
Do not place the following items in your recycling container:
- Plastic bags, liners or shipping envelopes
- Yard waste or tree trimmings
- Styrofoam or packing peanuts
- Food or liquid waste
- Greasy pizza boxes or soiled paper
- Construction debris
- Diapers or pet waste
- Motor oil, pool chemical or hazardous material containers
- Clothing or textiles
- Electronics or batteries
Recycling right means sticking to the approved materials list. When in doubt, throw it out—or better yet, check with the city first.
What You CAN Recycle in Your Mauve Container
| Material | Recycle | Do Not Recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Beverage Cans and Clean Aluminum Foil | Metal furniture, wires, scrap metal |
| Aseptic Boxes | Milk, juice and soup cartons | Foil pouches or squeeze packs |
| Cardboard Chipboard | Shipping boxes, cereal boxes (remove liners), shoe boxes, paper towel/toilet paper tubes | Wax-lined boxes, detergent or soap boxes, packing foam |
| Glass | Food and beverage containers (clear, green, amber) | Window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, ceramics |
| Magazines | Magazines and phone books | Hardbound books |
| Metal Cans | Clean food and beverage cans | Paint cans, aerosol cans, scrap or automotive parts |
| Newspaper | Newspapers and advertising inserts | Plastic sleeves, rubber bands |
| Paper | Office paper, junk mail, brown paper bags, file folders | Napkins, tissues, paper plates, pet food bags |
| Plastic (#1–7) | Bottles, jugs, tubs, cups, yogurt and margarine containers, clamshell containers, lids and caps (on) | Plastic bags, Styrofoam, motor oil or chemical containers |
Note: Shredded paper is not accepted in your recycling container. Please consider composting shredded paper at home or working with a secure document shredding service that offers proper disposal.
Helpful Tips to Recycle Smart
- Clean, dry and empty – Rinse all containers and remove food or liquid before recycling.
- Flatten boxes – Break down cardboard so it fits better in your bin and empties completely during collection.
- No trash or food waste – If it belongs in the garbage or green waste bin, it does not belong in the recycling bin.
- Stick to the list – If it’s not on the approved list, don’t put it in your recycling container.
- Request a second bin if needed – Residents who routinely generate more recyclables may request an additional mauve recycling container for a nominal fee.
Public Drop-Off Bins Have Been Removed
Due to persistent contamination, illegal dumping and misuse, all public recycling drop-off locations in Scottsdale have been permanently closed.
If you live in an apartment, condo or other multifamily housing community, please contact your property management or homeowners association to explore recycling options available on-site.
Still Have Questions?
For a complete list of accepted items check out the recycle right wizard at the top of the page or contact customer service at: Solid Waste Customer Service or 480-312-5600.
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025