Solid Waste Program
The Solid Waste Program is part of the Water & Waste Management Division of the Environmental Services Department
of Maricopa County and is responsible for issuing permits and regulating refuse, non-hazardous liquid waste and
biohazardous medical waste transportation vehicles, refuse containers included in a refuse collection variance plan,
chemical toilets and construction debris landfills.
The Environmental Services Department is a regulatory agency and does not provide any collection, removal or cleanup
services for solid or liquid waste. Solid waste transfer and waste tire recycling services within Maricopa County are
administered by the Maricopa County Department of Public
Works Solid Waste Program. Solid waste and sanitation collection, bulk trash collection, household hazardous waste
collection and recycling in incorporated areas of the county are administered by the local municipality that has jurisdiction.
The Solid Waste Program’s activities include:
- Permitting - Inspect new waste transportation vehicles, refuse containers, chemical toilets or construction
debris landfills for regulatory compliance and issue a new operating permit or amend an existing operating
permit as required.
- Plan Approvals - Review and approve refuse collection variance plans and issue an approval if the plan is acceptable.
- Inspections - Conduct regulatory compliance reviews and inspect these types of waste transportation vehicles,
refuse containers, chemical toilets or construction debris landfills operating within the county to assure
proper operation and maintenance and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
- Investigations - Analyze problems affecting the proper operation and maintenance of waste transportation
vehicles, refuse containers, chemical toilets or construction debris landfills and perform odor, noise and
nuisance complaint investigations.
- Enforcement - Enforce the provisions of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code and other relevant
rules and regulations pertaining to waste transportation vehicles, refuse containers, chemical toilets or
construction debris landfills.
- Technical Support - Provide technical support to other programs within the Water and Waste Management
Division and act as a technical liaison to other governmental agencies.
- Regulatory Review - Develop revisions to the rules and regulations within Maricopa County government
pertaining to waste transportation vehicles, refuse containers, chemical toilets or construction debris
landfills and provide input to other governmental agencies for proposed changes to rules and regulations.
In addition to the above activities, Solid Waste Program staff routinely offer outreach, instruction, and advice
regarding the rules and regulations applicable to waste transportation vehicles, refuse containers, chemical
toilets or construction debris landfills operating within Maricopa County.