Zero Waste Day is Saturday, July 25

Clean house responsibly with a free, drive-thru recycling event. Tempe's next Zero Waste Day is Saturday, July 25 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tempe Fire Training Center, 1340 E. University Drive.

Zero Waste Day events are held four times per year to help residents recycle items, including those not permitted in garbage containers and blue recycling containers. All accepted items are recycled, repurposed, donated for reuse or disposed of properly.

These events are open to all Tempe and Guadalupe residents and are typically less busy between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Proof of Tempe or Guadalupe residency is required. Accepted identification forms include a current driver's license, lease/rental agreement, mail with name and address, most recent Tempe Water utility bill, or a student ID from educational institutions located within Tempe.

The last Zero Waste Day saw 767 cars drive through and 53,163 pounds of waste diverted from the landfill. Tempe thanks those who show up to help protect the environment.

Accepted items include:

Paper for shredding: office paper, mail, personal paper documents, books

Household hazardous waste: batteries, cleaning products, fluorescent lighting tubes, used oil, paints, soaps, herbicides/fertilizers, gas cylinders, pool chemicals, lawn mowers and other gas-powered items

Styrofoam chunks: packing blocks, ice chests, other large pieces

Electronics and appliances: personal computers, laptops, monitors, cables and power cords, printers, mice and keyboards, hard drives, tablets, cell phones, DVDs, printer cartridges, calculators, stereos, VCRs, VHS, cassette tapes, TVs, power strips, microwaves, washers/dryers, refrigerators, freezers, smoke detectors

Clothing, furniture, and household items (must be in good condition): clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bedding, towels, toys, stuffed animals, books, cooking accessories, furniture, home décor, housewares, jewelry, tools, musical instruments, sports equipment

Bicycles and bike parts (new or used): bikes, repair stands, cables, pedals, brakes, seats, tires, handlebars

Pet food and supply donations: bedding, brushes, leashes, collars, cages, kennels, humane traps, unopened cat and dog food, pet bowls, cat litter, cat furniture, clean towels and blankets (tears and rips are okay), pet toys, terrariums, bird cages

Not accepted: commercial or industrial waste, plastic bags and wraps, mattresses, car seats, bulk trash, small foam items (foam peanuts, cups, plates, takeout containers or egg cartons), pet medications or pets for surrender. Items delivered in trash bags will not be accepted for health and safety reasons.

Find a complete list of accepted items, drop-off procedures and detailed event information at tempe.gov/ZeroWaste.

Can't make it?

For those who cannot make it to Zero Waste Day, Tempe's Household Products Collection Center (HPCC) offers a year-round drive-thru for dropping off household hazardous waste and other recyclable products. The HPCC is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The HPCC is closed on Zero Waste Days (ZWD), city-observed holidays and select holiday weekends.

Visit tempe.gov/HPCC for information on operating hours and a full list of accepted items.