Recycling in Chattanooga, TN

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Donation FAQs (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area
  • Store donation centers are open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Brush and Bulk Trash Collection (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • Brush and bulk trash are collected by dedicated trucks that sweep each area of the city on a rotating schedule; piles must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday of the collection week. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Keep brush, bulk trash, bagged yard waste and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday of your collection week. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted bulky items include BBQ grills, mattresses, heavy appliances, furniture, carpet, water heaters, large toys and TVs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted at the curb include building materials, auto parts, household garbage, propane tanks, tires, cardboard boxes, recyclables and hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulky trash collection is not offered to businesses, apartment complexes or landlords; you or a relative must live at the address. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulky trash collections are limited to twelve per property in any consecutive twelve months. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Refuse Collection Centers (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • Refuse collection centers are for City of Chattanooga residents to dispose of bulky trash from their own households; no contractors, businesses or landlords. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Drivers need a driver's license showing City of Chattanooga residency (or a utility bill if new) and Hamilton County tags. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents may dispose of material up to 12 times per calendar year; loads may not exceed a standard truck bed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted: appliances, mattresses, BBQ grills, microwaves, clothes, metal, drywall (max one truck), tires (max 4, auto only), furniture, toys, landscape timbers, vinyl and lumber. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted include batteries, cardboard, computer electronics, hazardous materials and household garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycle Centers (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • Hamilton County residents are allowed to use the city recycle centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted: aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard, #1 and #2 plastic containers, computer electronics, steel cans, glass, cooking oil and mixed paper. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted: clothes, plastic bags, DVD players, Styrofoam, non-computer electronics, televisions, fluorescent bulbs, VCRs, food, yard waste and large toys. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycle Collection (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • The city provides biweekly curbside recycling collection to households and businesses; customers must sign up online or call 311. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Customers must sign up online or call 311; up to two recycling containers per residence. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Flattened, clean and empty cardboard goes in the recycle container; break down boxes. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Break down cardboard boxes. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycle containers are free of charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • The facility lets Tennessee residents dispose of household hazardous materials; a state-issued driver's license showing Tennessee residency is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Only residential hazardous materials are accepted; businesses must use a commercial hazardous waste hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Maximum 15 gallons or 150 pounds per household. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted include oil-based paint, paint remover/thinner, wet cell and dry cell batteries, computer related electronics, motor oil and pesticides. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted: ammunition, radioactive, medical, explosive and biological waste, non-computer electronics, latex paint and commercial hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Latex/acrylic paint is not accepted because it is not toxic. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Landfill (opens in new tab) · City of Chattanooga Public Works
  • The city landfill page says the Household Hazardous Waste Facility is free to any Hamilton County resident. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Where and When to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Hamilton County Recycling
  • The main recycling office does not accept recycling from the public, but all listed recycling centers do. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Hwy 58 Recycling Center: 5414 Hwy. 58, Chattanooga, TN 37416, (423) 326-0992; Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Standifer Gap Recycling Center: 7625 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 855-6125; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tire Recovery Center (tire recycling only): 7609 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 602-8473; Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; $1 per passenger tire, $4 per truck tire; call for an appointment first. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Restore (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area
  • The ReStore is at 1150 E. 14th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408, open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., (423) 634-1004. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donations may be dropped off at the ReStore during business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Goodwill East Brainerd Store & Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area
  • Goodwill lists the Goodwill East Brainerd Store & Donation Center at 7601 E Brainerd Rd (37421), phone (423) 693-0133, open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Goodwill Hixson Store & Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area
  • Goodwill lists the Goodwill Hixson Store & Donation Center at 1966 Northpoint Blvd (37343), phone (423) 877-3739, open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Goodwill Chattanooga (Highway 58) Store & Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area
  • Goodwill lists the Goodwill Chattanooga (Highway 58) Store & Donation Center at 4850 Highway 58 (37416), phone (423) 894-1740, open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
• TDEC Materials Management: Household Hazardous Waste Program (HHW) (opens in new tab) · Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Alkaline batteries sold after May 13, 1996 have no added mercury and may go in the regular trash in Tennessee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Use up or give away latex paint, or dry it with kitty litter, sawdust or shredded paper and put it in the regular garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tennessee's Mobile HHW Collection Service has run since 1993, is open to Tennessee citizens and is limited to households. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Any Tennessee resident may use the service; only household waste is accepted, not commercial, institutional or agri-business waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Mobile HHW collections no longer take alkaline batteries, paint or electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • For paint, TDEC tells residents to contact their local solid waste department. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • For electronics, TDEC tells residents to contact their local solid waste department. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Very small quantity generator businesses may use mobile events only by paid appointment through the state contractor. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • VSQG disposal is priced by material type, generally per pound. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TDEC says rechargeable batteries and cell phones can be recycled and points residents to the Call2Recycle website to find a collection site. Checked October 26, 2026.
• TDEC Materials Management: Household Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze, and Electronics (BOPAE) (opens in new tab) · Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Lithium batteries must not go in the trash or in recycling containers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries need to be recycled and cannot go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tape the terminals of lithium batteries with non-conductive tape (electrical, packing or duct tape) before storing or recycling them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • It is illegal to put wet latex paint in a Tennessee landfill; once completely dried, latex paint may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Oil-based paint from households is household hazardous waste and cannot go in the trash; use it up, give it away or take it to a county paint collection facility if one exists. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Call2Recycle recycles nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion and small sealed lead batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Call2Recycle identifies locations that accept rechargeable batteries and cell phones for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.