Recycling | Compost, Recycle & HHW FAQs

Recycling Program

Composting, Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste FAQs

Revised On: Nov. 13, 2023 - 9:30 a.m.

Following are frequently asked questions and answers for businesses and residents to learn more about composting, recycling and household hazardous waste disposal.

Water Management

Find recycling programs in your community | View eMap > 

Start a recycling program in your community, office or school | Learn More >

Composting

I’m interested in starting a commercial composting operation. How do I get started?

To get started, provide ADEQ with a Composting Notification | Learn More on the Solid Waste Webpage >

If you have questions about compost notifications, contact the Solid Waste team | Email >

I’m interested in learning more about proper temperatures for compost piles and requirements for labeling compost “organic.” Where can I find information?

If you are interested in learning about commercial composting, visit the U.S. Composting Council website for information and resources | Visit Website >

I would like to start composting in my backyard. How do I get started?

ADEQ developed a Compost Guide with information on several techniques for backyard composting | Visit Compost Guide >

Another resource for home composting may be your local municipality. Search “City of [where you live] composting” to find available resources. Also check with your local municipality, HOA, etc., for any requirements regarding composting in your yard.

Where can I find a list of current composting operations in Arizona?

Contact the Solid Waste team for a list of active composters in Arizona at 602-771-4670 or by email | Email >

Recycling

I’m interested in starting a recycling program at my business. How do we get started?

ADEQ provides a Recycling Toolkit with information and resources for starting recycling programs, including a step-by-step guide to starting a recycling program at work | Visit Recycling Toolkit >

Is there funding available to help me get my recycling ideas started?

The Arizona Recycling Coalition offers up to $5,000 grants to anyone working on recycling initiatives | Learn More >

 

Where can I recycle my used electronics (e-waste) including printer cartridges?

The majority of municipalities only offer recycling services for residents, however, businesses can search the following certification programs' locator tools for local e-waste recyclers:

Where can I find general guidance for my local recycling program?

Find recycling programs in your community | View eMap >

Or you can use a search engine — “City of [where you live] recycling” to find available resources. If you do not find recycling offered through your municipality, search “[County you live in] recycling” to see if the county offers a drop-off service.

My school would like to start a recycling program. How do we get started?

ADEQ provides a Recycling Toolkit with information and resources for starting recycling programs, including a step-by-step guide to starting a recycling program at work | Visit Recycling Toolkit >

Where can I recycle my used clothing and textiles?

Some municipalities offer electronics e-waste recycling along with their household hazardous waste programs. Search “City of [where you live] electronics recycling” to see if your community provides a program. Or search “[County you live in] electronics recycling” to see if your county has a program for recycling used electronics. You can also check the following certification programs' locator tools for local e-waste recyclers:

My community, school or other organization would like to host an e-waste recycling event. How do we get started?

ADEQ has an E-waste Recycling Event Toolkit that provides event planning steps and a list of e-waste recyclers that specialize in these types of events |  Visit Toolkit >

Household Hazardous Waste

What options do I have as a business to manage my hazardous waste?

Our hazardous waste program team can explain different wastes and requirements associated with each. Contact ADEQ at 602-771-4673 or by email | Email >

For information about hazardous waste, visit the ADEQ hazardous waste management page | Visit Webpage >

I’m cleaning out the closets and garage and found a bunch of household hazardous items I don’t know what to do with. Where can I recycle items like paint, used oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, fluorescent tubes, gas or other chemicals?

hese items are considered household hazardous waste, and you can inquire about proper disposal with your local municipality or county. Search “City of [where you live] household hazardous waste” to see if your community offers free disposal, or search “[County you live in] household hazardous waste” to see if they have a recycling program for household hazardous waste.

I use needles, syringes and/or lancets, also known as sharps, at home to manage my medical conditions. How do I properly dispose of the sharps?

The ADEQ Medical Sharps Disposal webpage has information that can help | Visit Webpage >