Chattanooga Trash Pickup Schedule & Holiday Delays
Source-reviewed schedule
Trash pickup is scheduled for this date.
- Trash pickup days
- Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday & FridaySet carts out Collection begins at 7:00 a.m. and continues until all routes are completed. Place containers within 2 feet of the curb, at least 3 feet from obstructions, and 5 feet from parked vehicles. Remove containers from the curbside after your scheduled collection day.
- Next trash pickup
- Sep 23Based on the listed schedule
- Recycling days
- Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday & FridaySingle-stream collection
Regular trash pickup & collection details
| Service | Collection days | Placement or collection rule |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday · Weekly | Placement cutoff: Collection begins at 7:00 a.m. and continues until all routes are completed. Place containers within 2 feet of the curb, at least 3 feet from obstructions, and 5 feet from parked vehicles. Remove containers from the curbside after your scheduled collection day. |
| Recycling | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Single-stream recycling |
| Bulk waste | Brush and bulk trash are collected using dedicated trucks that sweep each area of the city on a rotating schedule. Residents are asked to keep brush, bulk trash, bagged yard waste, and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of their collection week. Wood waste may not exceed 8 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter, and 4 feet in height. Residents may also take bulk trash to one of three city refuse centers for free. | Up to 5 items per pickup |
| Yard waste | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | Year-round. Brush, bagged leaves, and yard clippings are collected during rotating area collection weeks. Wood waste must not exceed 8 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter, and 4 feet in height. Free drop-off is also available year-round at the Chattanooga Wood Recycling Center. |
Trash container requirements
- City-issued automated rolling garbage container
- Weekly collection of household garbage on designated route day
- All household garbage must be in tightly secured bags inside cart
- Cart lids must be closed completely
- Place wheels and handles against curb with lid arrows pointing toward the street
- Keep 3 feet clearance from obstacles and 5 feet from parked vehicles
- Remove containers from the curbside after collection day
Chattanooga recycling overview
Single-stream recycling · Collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Accepted items
- Flattened cardboard (clean and empty)
- Paper containers, clean cups, and cartons (milk, juice, broth)
- Newspapers, inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, and office paper
- Plastic bottles with necks only (no clamshells)
- Plastic cups, containers, and tubs labeled #1 and #2
- Steel and aluminum cans and bottles (clean and empty)
Prohibited items
- Glass bottles and jars (not accepted in curbside cart; drop off at city centers)
- Plastic bags, film, and bubble wrap (never bag recyclables)
- Aerosol cans and scrap metal
- Wood debris, tree limbs, and yard waste
- Clothing, textiles, food scraps, and hazardous chemicals
Chattanooga bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Brush and bulk trash are collected using dedicated trucks that sweep each area of the city on a rotating schedule. Residents are asked to keep brush, bulk trash, bagged yard waste, and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of their collection week. Wood waste may not exceed 8 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter, and 4 feet in height. Residents may also take bulk trash to one of three city refuse centers for free. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 5 items |
| Permitted materials | No unconditional accepted-material list is verified. Confirm eligibility before putting items out. |
| Advance notice | Not required under the listed rules. |
| Dispatch phone | 423-643-6311 |
Chattanooga holiday trash delays
Listed strategy: no change. Regular collection dates do not change.
Observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Named holidays recur each year; explicit dates apply only to their listed year.
2026 Holiday Collection Calendar: Chattanooga, TN
Official schedule adjustments for recognized 2026 holidays. When a holiday falls on or before your collection day, review whether curbside pickups slide forward:
| Holiday | Observed Date | Schedule Status | Curbside Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Presidents' Day | Monday, Feb 16, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Juneteenth | Friday, Jun 19, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Independence Day | Saturday, Jul 4, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sep 7, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Columbus Day | Monday, Oct 12, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026 | Not Observed | Regular collection schedule. Trash and recycling run as normal. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov 26, 2026 | Normal Schedule | Crews work regular routes. Pickup dates do not change. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec 25, 2026 | Normal Schedule | Crews work regular routes. Pickup dates do not change. |
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Chattanooga Public Works Department Waste & Recycling Division · municipal dpw
Phone: 423-643-6311
101 E 11th StChattanooga, TN 37402
These collection rules cover Zone Chattanooga Curbside Collection Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Chattanooga, TN?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Collection begins at 7:00 a.m. and continues until all routes are completed. Place containers within 2 feet of the curb, at least 3 feet from obstructions, and 5 feet from parked vehicles. Remove containers from the curbside after your scheduled collection day.. These rules apply to Zone Chattanooga Curbside Collection Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Chattanooga?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. The listed holiday policy keeps regular pickup dates unchanged. Observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Chattanooga Curbside Collection Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Chattanooga?
Brush and bulk trash are collected using dedicated trucks that sweep each area of the city on a rotating schedule. Residents are asked to keep brush, bulk trash, bagged yard waste, and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of their collection week. Wood waste may not exceed 8 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter, and 4 feet in height. Residents may also take bulk trash to one of three city refuse centers for free. The listed limit is 5 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 423-643-6311 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Chattanooga Curbside Collection Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Chattanooga?
The listed accepted materials are Flattened cardboard (clean and empty), Paper containers, clean cups, and cartons (milk, juice, broth), Newspapers, inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, and office paper, Plastic bottles with necks only (no clamshells), Plastic cups, containers, and tubs labeled #1 and #2, Steel and aluminum cans and bottles (clean and empty). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Glass bottles and jars (not accepted in curbside cart; drop off at city centers), Plastic bags, film, and bubble wrap (never bag recyclables), Aerosol cans and scrap metal, Wood debris, tree limbs, and yard waste, Clothing, textiles, food scraps, and hazardous chemicals. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Chattanooga Curbside Collection Routes.