Residents of Surprise, Arizona, are slated for a more frequent opportunity to dispose of their hazardous household items responsibly. The city is launching a monthly Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program starting in September 2024. According to city officials, this move upgrades the service from its previous three times yearly schedule, transitioning into a pilot program that extends through November 2024.
The enhanced collection program uniquely separates electronic waste, such as TVs, computers, and cell phones, from other HHW items like pesticides and solvents. Starting Monday, August 26, 2024, residents can request an appointment for collections during this pilot period. Running only for the first day Mondays, crews will schedule electronic HHW pickups for up to 50 households per month. This is according to city representatives, intending to streamline the disposal of rapidly obsolete technologies.
For other types of HHW, which includes an array of items from pool chemicals to oil-based paints, the city allocates four days a month, with a division between the southern and northern sides of Bell Road. With crews ready to manage approximately 40 household collections per day, the program's efficiency is expected to be a significant improvement. Collection slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be booked using the My Surprise app or by calling Customer Service at 623.222.1920.
Residents preparing for collection must adhere to specific guidelines. All acceptable items should be placed on the driveway and up against the garage by 6 a.m. on the collection date. They will pick up the properly packaged, sealed, and labeled items between 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. Customer service representatives will provide information on how to pack items upon scheduling an appointment. As reported by the City of Surprise's news release, items are not to be placed on sidewalks or curbside.
For residents needing to understand what falls under the acceptable electronic and other HHW categories, as well as volume limitations, additional details are available on the official website. However, the city notes that this service is separate from regular refuse, bulk trash, and appliance pickups, which can be scheduled throughout the year. For a complete list of acceptable bulk trash items, residents can visit surpriseaz.gov/BulkTrash.
