Chattanooga Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Chattanooga recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
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
Can you recycle these items in Chattanooga?
Can you recycle cardboard in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle glass in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle aluminum in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Chattanooga?
Not verifiedThis item’s local curbside acceptance and preparation requirements are not verified. Confirm with the official sanitation office.
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.