The Phoenix solid waste rate increase approved by the City Council on April 22, 2026, raised the monthly residential rate by $5, from $37.32 to $42.32, on July 1, 2026. Two more steps follow: $47.32 in July 2027 and $51.32 in July 2028. The fee is billed on the monthly city services bill (City of Phoenix).
Photo: Downtown Phoenix skyline. Alan Stark, 2011-07-31. CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source. Resized for web.
The new rate, year by year
The first three steps are fixed dollar amounts. After that, the council can adjust the rate for inflation each year, with a 5% cap.
| Effective | Monthly trash rate | Change | Green organics subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | $42.32 | +$5 | $10.58 |
| July 1, 2027 | $47.32 | +$5 | $11.83 |
| July 1, 2028 | $51.32 | +$4 | $12.83 |
| July 2029 to 2033 | Annual inflation adjustment | Up to 5% a year | One-fourth of the rate |
The 5% cap covers only the 2029 to 2033 period. Each of those adjustments depends on the city’s annual solid waste financial review (City of Phoenix).
Why Phoenix raised the rate
Public Works says costs have climbed since the last council-approved rate change in 2020. Staff costs are up 32%, vehicle costs 52%, and construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure 40%. The solid waste division faces a $20.8 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. Public Works Director Felipe Moreno said the change lets the operation meet rising inflationary costs and prepare for future customer growth.
Staff first recommended a $17 increase over three years. The city held 11 community information sessions in February and March 2026. After that feedback, and after finding operational efficiencies, staff cut the plan to $14 over three years.
Green organics subscribers pay more too
The optional curbside green organics container is billed as a monthly subscription. Its fee is now set at one-fourth of the monthly solid waste rate. That makes it $10.58 from July 2026, $11.83 from July 2027 and $12.83 from July 2028.
A bigger discount for a smaller container
The standard trash container holds 90 gallons. Households enrolled in the city’s recycling program can swap it for a 60-gallon container. The discount for that swap rose from $3 to $5 a month on July 1, 2026. Residents sign up for the smaller container through the city’s online container request form, linked from the rate page.
Help paying the bill
Project Assist helps customers who have trouble paying for city water, sewer or solid waste service. Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty income level to apply. The Human Services Department runs it. Public Works doubled its contribution to $440,000 a year toward the $1.2 million fund.
What this is not
This is the City of Phoenix residential rate, for homes that Phoenix Public Works collects. It does not set rates in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale or other Valley cities, and it does not change pickup days or set-out rules.
