Chattanooga Bulk Trash Pickup Rules
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 5 items per collection. 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.
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 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
Not verifiedLocal curbside rules are not verified. Ask the sanitation office whether this material is accepted and whether a separate appointment is required.
Appliances
Not verifiedLocal curbside rules are not verified. Ask the sanitation office whether this material is accepted and whether a separate appointment is required.
Construction debris
Not verifiedLocal curbside rules are not verified. Ask the sanitation office whether this material is accepted and whether a separate appointment is required.
How to throw away a mattress in Chattanooga
Follow the listed bulk 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.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup.
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: Not required under the listed rules. Bulky household goods and furniture are collected during scheduled area sweeps. Appliances should be placed with bulk piles or dropped off at city refuse collection centers.
Local disposal alternatives in Hamilton County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Chattanooga Wood Recycling Center
1000 N Hawthorne St, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Municipal facility accepting brush, tree trimmings, and untreated wood waste from Chattanooga residents free of charge, producing wood mulch and compost products.
Chattanooga Refuse Collection Center
4500 Access Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37415
City drop-off station allowing residents to dispose of bulk trash, furniture, scrap metal, and recyclable materials without gate fees.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
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.