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Town of Gilbert, Arizona Official Website

Recycling

Quick Links

· Download and print out Gilbert's Recycling Flyer: What do I place in the Blue Container? image, pdf logo
· RECYCLE: Batteries at HHW Facility | at Home | Turkey Grease | Christmas Trees | Christmas Lights
· Recycling Presentation Request Form
· U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
· Valleywide Recycling Partnership - Gilbert is a partner with the Valleywide Recycling Partnership.


Guidelines for Recycling

The Town of Gilbert takes pride in our curbside recycling program. We strive to make it easy for residents to recycle by monitoring, educating and getting the message out in the community.  However, there are many types of plastics that are not acceptable in our Recycling Program.

Did you know plastic bags and plastic films are by the far the worst contaminate that we find in the recycling can?

Plastic "film" is a terminology used by recyclers and in the plastic industry. Examples are: Bubble wrap, packaging materials, zip lock bags, trash bags, tarps, saran wrap, cereal box liners, grocery bags; plastic sleeves containing newspapers to name a few.

Recycle logoRecycling bagWhy are plastic bags and film not accepted? It becomes litter, endangers wildlife, plastic bags and films could potentially get caught in the sorting equipment at our local Recycling Processing Plant also known as the M.R.F. (Materials Recovery Facility), resulting in the costly shutdown and repairs or the possible risk of fire.  While much of the equipment is automated, workers still must hand sort the items. By following the Recycling Guidelines, ensures the health and safety of the workers at the Recycling Processing Plant.

When recycling shredded paper, we encourage residents to place in A CLEAR SEE THROUGH plastic bag. The plastic bag prevents shredded paper from scattering during recycling pickup. THIS IS THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THE RULE in our curbside recycling program.

What Should I Do with Plastic Shopping Bags?

Most participating retail stores such as: Albertsons, Fry’s, Safeway, Target and Wal-Mart stores provide bins for returned plastic bags for recycling.

Alternative uses:  Plastic shopping bags make great trash bags for bathroom or kitchen waste cans, pick up animal waste, When travelling, put in your suitcases for dirty clothes or for your lunch.

If you don’t find a way to reuse the bags, place in your garbage can. Thank you for your support in our Recycling Program.

  1. All materials placed in your blue container should be relatively clean (i.e., rinse out jars), dry (i.e., empty all soda and liquid from bottles) and empty (i.e., empty all packing materials from corrugated boxes).
  2. Please do not bag your recycle items (except shredded paper) before placing in the blue container.
  3. Please do not contaminate your recyclable containers with refuse and yard waste.  Gilbert maintains a three strikes and you're out policy.  That means if your blue container is found to be contaminated three times within one year the Town inspectors will remove your blue containers.

The following items can also be recycled at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 2224 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, Arizona 85297.

Electronic wastes such as televisions, computers, printers, monitors, and cell phones
Hazardous Waste
Light bulbs, including fluorescent, neon, HID, and incandescent
Batteries, nickel metal hydride, magnesium, nickel cadmium, lithium, zinc, carbon and zinc silver
Propane tanks Motor oil and antifreeze Scrap metal
Automobile batteries Rimless automobile tires Latex paints
Cardboard Cooking oils Helium tanks

What do I place in the Blue Container?

image, What do I place in the Blue Container? Flyer

Where do I recycle ...?

  • Household Hazardous Waste - Please go to Household Hazardous Waste webpage for more information.
  • Plastic Bags - Recycle with your local grocery store
  • Clothing/Toys - Donate to your favorite charity
  • Scrap Metal and Auto Parts - Your local recycler or Abitibi Recycling Center - 390 W Ray Rd, Chandler: (480) 821-0003
  • Yard Waste - Compost - Containers are available from Public Works Solid Waste: (480) 503-6400
  • Household Hazardous Waste - Call Public Works Environmental Technician for event information: (480) 503-6400
  • Phone Book - Place in your blue recycle container.
  • Plastic Loose Council - Peanut hotline: 1-800 828-2214

Recycling Presentations

The Town of Gilbert gives recycling presentations to various groups (i.e. Schools, boy scouts, etc.). To arrange for a presentation to be given to your school or group, call (480) 503-6440.

* Shredded Paper Notice

The Town has made it possible for the many people who shred personal documents to recycle that material in the blue curbside bins. Shredded paper is now accepted in blue barrels, as long as it is put in clear plastic bags. Prior to the change, shredded paper was not accepted as part of the Town’s recycling program.

Adding shredded paper to the accepted items list is important because more people than ever are shredding all kinds of personal documents, from bank statements to credit card applications. The Gilbert Police Department has said that shredding these documents is one of the most important things a person can do to protect themselves from Identity Theft. Continue shredding your documents, and feel free to place the shredded material in clear plastic bags before dropping them in your blue curbside container. For questions on the Town’s recycling program call (480) 503-6400.