Memphis Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 10 items per collection. Outside the Cart collection is a bi-monthly service for City of Memphis residential customers. Twice per month on your regular collection day, the City will pick up your yard debris in excess of two bags and outside the cart bulk waste such as tree limbs and furniture. Bulky waste piles must not exceed 10 cubic yards in total volume.
Memphis bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Outside the Cart collection is a bi-monthly service for City of Memphis residential customers. Twice per month on your regular collection day, the City will pick up your yard debris in excess of two bags and outside the cart bulk waste such as tree limbs and furniture. Bulky waste piles must not exceed 10 cubic yards in total volume. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 10 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 901-636-6500 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedCouches, mattresses, and household furniture can be set curbside for bi-monthly Outside the Cart pickup.
Appliances
Accepted with conditionsCall 311 to coordinate appliance removal; refrigerants must be safely handled.
Construction debris
Not acceptedCity ordinance prohibits removal of dirt, brick, concrete, lumber, roofing, fencing, carpet, or demolition waste.
How to throw away a mattress in Memphis
Follow the listed bulk rule: Outside the Cart collection is a bi-monthly service for City of Memphis residential customers. Twice per month on your regular collection day, the City will pick up your yard debris in excess of two bags and outside the cart bulk waste such as tree limbs and furniture. Bulky waste piles must not exceed 10 cubic yards in total volume.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Memphis Curbside Scavenging & Trash Picking Rules
Whether you want usable items salvaged before the compactor crushes them or you are looking for scrap metal, understand the local curbside legal boundaries in Memphis.
Public Curb vs. City Cart Ownership
Under federal precedent, property discarded in public rights-of-way is legally abandoned. However, many municipal ordinances classify materials placed inside official city-owned recycling carts as city property. Removing materials from inside containers can trigger municipal pilfering fines.
Mark Usable Items with a "FREE" Sign
If you want scrap metal collectors or neighbors to haul away working appliances, lawnmowers, or furniture before bulk pickup day, tape a clear "FREE" sign to the item and place it directly on the curb line away from your private driveway.
Memphis Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Shelby County.
📍 304 Collins St, Memphis, TN 38112
Municipal drop-off convenience center for excess non-hazardous residential waste, bulk items, and yard debris. Open Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with current MLGW utility bill and photo ID.
📍 3207 Farrisview Blvd, Memphis, TN 38118
City convenience center offering bulk drop-off for City of Memphis solid waste fee customers. Open Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
If your project exceeds city bulk limits, review our dumpster rental vs. bulk pickup cost comparison or read our construction debris weight guide.
Local disposal alternatives in Shelby County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Collins Yard Convenience Center
304 Collins St, Memphis, TN 38112
Municipal drop-off convenience center for excess non-hazardous residential waste, bulk items, and yard debris. Open Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with current MLGW utility bill and photo ID.
Farrisview Yard Convenience Center
3207 Farrisview Blvd, Memphis, TN 38118
City convenience center offering bulk drop-off for City of Memphis solid waste fee customers. Open Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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 Memphis Solid Waste Management · municipal dpw
Phone: 901-636-6500
125 N Main St, Room 628Memphis, TN 38103
These collection rules cover Zone City of Memphis Curbside Service Area.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Memphis, TN?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place carts at the curb no earlier than 5 P.M. that day prior to collection. Remove carts by 8 A.M. the day following collection.. These rules apply to Zone City of Memphis Curbside Service Area.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Memphis?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Memphis Curbside Service Area.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Memphis?
Outside the Cart collection is a bi-monthly service for City of Memphis residential customers. Twice per month on your regular collection day, the City will pick up your yard debris in excess of two bags and outside the cart bulk waste such as tree limbs and furniture. Bulky waste piles must not exceed 10 cubic yards in total volume. The listed limit is 10 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 901-636-6500 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Memphis Curbside Service Area.
What items are accepted for recycling in Memphis?
The listed accepted materials are Paper (newspaper, magazines, mail, office paper, envelopes), Cardboard (broken down shipping boxes and rigid paperboard containers), Plastics (clean plastic bottles and jugs), Metal (empty aluminum beverage cans and steel soup tins; labels OK and rinsing optional). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film wrap, Styrofoam cups and packaging peanuts, Garden hoses, ropes, and electrical cords, Yard waste and organic lawn trimmings, Shredded paper and confidential documents. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Memphis Curbside Service Area.