Your Free Guide to Chattanooga Trash Collection Services

How Chattanooga's Trash Collection System Works

Chattanooga provides residential trash collection services through a coordinated system managed by the city's Public Works Department. Understanding how this system operates can help you know what to expect from your service and how to participate correctly.

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The city divides Chattanooga into collection zones, and each zone has a scheduled pickup day. Most residential areas receive collection once per week, though some areas may have different schedules based on their location. The city uses a combination of automated and manual collection methods. Automated trucks use mechanical arms to lift and empty standard bins, making collection faster and safer for workers. This system has been in place to streamline operations across the city's various neighborhoods.

Collection typically begins early in the morning, around 6 or 7 a.m., depending on your zone. The exact time can vary based on traffic conditions and the number of homes on the route. Most routes are completed by late afternoon. The city maintains schedules for each neighborhood, which are available through the Chattanooga Public Works website and through community service centers.

Chattanooga collects three main types of materials from residential properties:

• Regular trash in standard-size bins
• Recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, and metals
• Yard waste such as leaves, branches, and grass clippings during certain seasons

The city processes these materials at different facilities. Regular trash goes to a landfill located outside the city limits. Recyclable materials are transported to sorting facilities where they are separated and prepared for reuse. Yard waste is often composted or chipped for mulch.

Takeaway: Find your collection zone and pickup day by checking the Public Works website or calling the city. Knowing your schedule helps you place bins out at the right time and plan around service days.

Container Requirements and Bin Guidelines

Chattanooga has specific rules about the type and size of containers used for trash collection. These guidelines exist to protect workers, maintain equipment, and ensure consistent service throughout the city.

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For automated collection, the city provides or requires standard 64-gallon or 96-gallon wheeled bins. These bins are designed to fit into the mechanical arms of collection trucks. The bins must have lids that close properly to prevent spillage and to protect against pests and weather. Bins should have wheels that function smoothly and handles that are intact so they can be moved and lifted safely.

If you use your own bins instead of city-provided containers, they must meet specific dimensions and weight requirements. Bins cannot exceed 96 gallons in capacity and should not weigh more than 75 pounds when full. Oversized or makeshift containers—such as wooden boxes, large drums, or bags alone without a rigid container—are not accepted by the automated collection system. Workers will not be able to use the mechanical arm to lift these items, and your trash may not be collected.

For recycling, the city typically uses a separate bin, often blue or green in color. These bins also have size limits and must have secure lids. Recyclables should not be mixed with regular trash. Keeping them separated allows processing facilities to sort and prepare materials more efficiently.

Bins should be placed at the curb on your collection day, ideally by 6 a.m. Bins placed after the truck passes on your route will not be collected until the following week. Conversely, bins should be removed from the curb by the end of the day on collection day to keep streets clear and prevent bins from becoming obstacles or eyesores in the neighborhood.

The city recommends keeping bins on your property (such as in a garage or side yard) between collection days. This practice extends the life of bins, prevents them from becoming weather-worn, and maintains the appearance of residential streets.

Takeaway: Use properly sized, functional bins with lids, place them at the curb on your scheduled day, and remove them promptly after collection. This cooperation ensures smooth service for your household and your neighbors.

What Can and Cannot Be Placed in Regular Trash

Knowing what materials belong in regular trash bins helps prevent service interruptions, protects collection workers, and ensures that materials are processed appropriately. Chattanooga maintains clear guidelines about acceptable and unacceptable items.

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Regular household trash includes everyday items such as food waste, paper towels, tissues, small amounts of food-soiled paper, plastic wrap, worn-out clothing, broken ceramics, and other general household refuse. These materials can decompose or be safely disposed of at landfills without creating hazards.

Several categories of items cannot go in regular trash and should never be placed in bins:

• Hazardous materials: paint, paint thinner, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, batteries, motor oil, and fuel
• Electronics: computers, phones, televisions, and other electronic devices
• Large appliances: refrigerators, washers, dryers, and stoves
• Construction debris: drywall, lumber, concrete, and roofing materials
• Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, branches, and tree stumps (these have separate collection programs)
• Recyclables: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal that should go in recycling bins
• Bulky items: furniture, mattresses, and large metal items

Items placed outside bins or items that are too large or heavy for the automated collection system may be left behind. Hazardous materials can damage collection equipment, contaminate landfills, or harm workers and the environment. Electronics contain toxic materials and valuable components that require specialized recycling processes.

For hazardous waste, Chattanooga offers periodic collection events where residents can drop off materials like paint, oil, batteries, and chemicals at no cost. These events are announced through local news and the city website. For large appliances and furniture, the city offers bulk collection services, which may have specific scheduling or pickup procedures separate from regular weekly service.

Takeaway: Place only appropriate household trash in your regular bin. When in doubt about an item, check the city's guidelines or contact Public Works to learn about alternative disposal methods for that material.

Recycling Programs and Participating Materials

Chattanooga's recycling program diverts significant amounts of material from landfills each year. Participating in recycling requires understanding which materials are accepted and how to prepare them for collection.

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The city accepts paper and cardboard in recycling bins. This includes newspaper, office paper, junk mail, paperboard boxes, and corrugated cardboard. Cardboard boxes should be flattened to save space in bins and collection trucks. Paper should be dry; wet or heavily soiled paper typically cannot be processed and contaminates other recyclables.

Plastic containers numbered 1 through 7 are accepted, though some processing facilities focus primarily on plastics numbered 1 and 2. These numbers appear on the bottom of containers and indicate the type of plastic. Acceptable items include beverage bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, yogurt containers, and food packaging. Plastic bags should never be placed in recycling bins because they wrap around sorting equipment and can shut down processing facilities for hours.

Metal items including aluminum and steel cans, tin cans, and aluminum foil can be recycled. These materials have strong market value and are efficiently recovered and reused. Glass containers including clear, green, and brown glass are accepted in some Chattanooga programs, though guidelines may vary by neighborhood. Always check your local collection information to confirm what glass materials your area accepts.

Preparation matters for successful recycling. Containers should be rinsed to remove food residue, which attracts pests and contaminates other materials. Lids can typically remain on containers. Avoid mixing non-recyclable items with recyclables; contamination can cause entire batches to be rejected and sent to landfills instead of processing facilities.

Items that look recyclable but cause problems at processing facilities include:

• Plastic bags and film (wrap around equipment)
• Styrofoam (not accepted at most facilities)
• Paper cups with plastic linings (difficult to separate)
• Shredded paper (too