Phoenix trash fee to increase by nearly 50%

Facing a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall, the Phoenix Public Works Department is asking for a solid waste fee increase of nearly 50% spread out over three years.

Right now, trash bins cost a little more than $37 monthly for most residents. The Phoenix Public Works Department is proposing a $6 monthly increase this summer, another $6 monthly increase in July 2027, and a final $5 monthly increase tacked on top in 2028. After those hikes, annual inflation increases of up to 5% would be applied through 2034.

Lorizelda Stoeller, Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Phoenix, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how the proposed fee helps sustain the department and all the work it does for residents of Phoenix.

“As we all have felt these significant inflationary pressures since 2020, you know, the city is not immune to inflationary pressures,” Stoeller said. “We’ve felt some significant pressures regarding our staff increases, our equipment increases and then cost for construction maintenance just to maintain our infrastructure.”

The department expects a budget shortfall of $20.8 million this fiscal year. Officials said staffing costs have gone up by 32%, vehicles by 52% and maintenance by 40% since 2020.

“The last time the City of Phoenix made a rate adjustment was in 2020,” Stoeller said. “It did include a 2% inflationary factor increase and that last inflationary increase took effect this January of 2026.”

The Phoenix Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining five landfills across the city and an active landfill in Surprise, Arizona, according to Stoeller. Phoenix also has two transfer stations, two recycling facilities and one compost facility.

“The City of Phoenix Public Works Department is responsible for providing a collection of municipal solid waste services for 425,000 residences,” Stoeller said. “What that entails is weekly garbage collection, weekly recycle collection, also up to four times trash collection.”