Overview
Salt Lake City is dedicated to providing convenient, accessible, and outstanding waste collection services for residents and customers.
Every week, we collect refuse from 42,000 locations – primarily single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes but also small businesses and some mid-sized, multi-family properties.
Salt Lake City waste collection subscribers receive more than just weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and compost carts. They also get curbside holiday tree collection, two annual bulk waste collections through Call 2 Haul, extra compost containers to assist with leaf cleanup and other green waste projects, and access to free drop-off glass recycling dumpsters. Curbside glass service is available at an extra charge to those who subscribe.
We are committed to maintaining fiscal integrity and promoting sustainable waste diversion through our services and programs.
Crews collected 66,596 tons of total material in 2024 and 36% of the residential waste stream was diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting. We continue to identify opportunities to increase this number.
Fiscal 2026 rate increase
The City Council approved the following Fiscal Year 2026 fee increases for residential garbage container sizes, which will take effect in July 2025:
| Container | New Monthly Fee | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 90 gallon garbage | $36.52 | $3.32 |
| 60 gallon garbage | $30.75 | $2.80 |
| 40 gallon garbage | $24.09 | $2.19 |
Please note that residential fees are only associated with the size of your garbage can. Recycling, compost, and Call 2 Haul services are included at no extra charge. Downsize your garbage container by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page.
Business Recycling & Compost Fee Increase (beginning July 2025)
If you are a business or multi-family property that uses Salt Lake City recycling or compost containers, your monthly fee for each container providing that service will be $12.27/month (an increase of $1.12/month).
Voluntary Curbside Glass Program Fee Increase (beginning in September 2025)
For residents who subscribe to the voluntary curbside glass program, the monthly fee starting will be $8.49 per month which is an increase of $0.25/month and $3.00/year. This will begin in September, 2025.
Where does my money go?
Why are rate increases needed?
The Sustainability Department’s Waste & Recycling Division operates as one of the City’s Enterprise Funds (the Refuse Fund), meaning it is sustained solely through service fees. (While these are collected through residents’ Public Utilities bills under the “Container” line item, please contact the Waste and Recycling customer service team with any questions at 801-535-6999.)
The Refuse Fund cannot be used to support any other City services. Similarly, waste & recycling services are not supported by the General Fund.
Because the cost of providing services rises every year due to inflation, Salt Lake City is proposing a series of modest annual rate increases to maintain current service levels. These increases began in July 2021. Previously, the City had not raised the garbage fee since 2014.
This plan was implemented after a 2019 survey, which drew more than 6,000 responses, revealed that most residents wanted modest, steady increases every year as opposed to a large increase all at once.
The Salt Lake City Council approved a 10 percent rate increase for the current fiscal year. We hope to return to smaller, annual rate increases within the next 2-3 years.
Rate increases will also allow the Refuse Fund to re-establish a minimum operating reserve that allows the City to respond in the event of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstances. Emergency situations include large-scale debris clean-up responses like the fall 2020 windstorm.
Cost-cutting measures also continue to be undertaken, such as when we changed pickup days in early 2025 to concentrate the heaviest work at midweek, when we have the most staff and equipment.
Bill assistance
Do you need bill assistance? Customers who qualify for the Salt Lake County Tax Abatement Program are eligible for a reduction in their water, garbage and storm water charges.
Can I lower my bill?
Yes. Waste & Recycling incentivizes customers to recycle and compost more, and throw away less. We offer reduced rates for using a smaller garbage cart. The standard size is 90, but we offer less expensive, 60- and 40-gallon sizes.
Related
Contact
- 801-535-6999
- mySLC online, scroll down and click on Waste & Recycling
- For up-to-date info visit SLC Green on X (formerly Twitter) https://x.com/SLCgreen
- 2010 W 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
- Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.