Chattanooga Refuse Collection Centers: Locations, Hours, and Rules
The City of Chattanooga operates three refuse collection centers where eligible residents can drop off materials free of charge. Here is everything you need to know before you load the truck -- including who qualifies, what vehicles are allowed, and what the centers will and will not accept.
The Three Refuse Collection Centers
All three centers are free for City of Chattanooga residents who meet the eligibility requirements below.
- 4276 Airport Road, Chattanooga, TN
- 4500 North Access Road, Chattanooga, TN
- 1400 West 57th Street, Chattanooga, TN
Hours (all three locations):
- Tuesday through Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Closed Mondays
Who Can Use the Refuse Collection Centers
Access to city refuse centers is restricted to eligible residents. You must meet all of the following requirements:
- Valid Tennessee driver's license showing a City of Chattanooga residential address.
- Valid Hamilton County vehicle tags on the vehicle you bring. Commercial tags are turned away at the gate.
- Vehicle must be a standard pickup truck or smaller. Dump bodies, tandem axle trailers, and any larger vehicle are prohibited. If you arrive in a box truck, a dump trailer, or a vehicle with commercial tags, you will be turned away.
Businesses, landlords managing rental properties, and contractors are not eligible for city refuse center access.
Visit and Volume Limits
Each eligible resident is limited to:
- Maximum 8 bags of refuse per visit.
- Maximum 12 visits per calendar year.
These limits apply per household. Once you have used 12 visits in a calendar year, city refuse centers are no longer available to you until the next calendar year begins.
What the Refuse Centers Accept
City refuse centers accept a narrower range of materials than many residents expect. Confirmed accepted items include:
- Drywall -- limited to one truckload per visit.
- Mattresses
- Automotive tires -- up to 4 per visit.
What the Refuse Centers Will Not Accept
The following items are refused at city refuse centers. Bring them and staff will turn you away or ask you to remove them from the load:
- Asphalt
- Biological waste
- Explosives or ammunition
- Roofing materials (shingles, tar paper, flashing)
- Household garbage beyond the 8-bag limit
- Unidentifiable hazardous compounds
Note on household hazardous waste: Oil-based paint, pesticides, motor oil, solvents, and similar materials do not go to the refuse centers. They belong at the dedicated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility -- see below.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Address: 4063 North Hawthorne Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This facility serves all Hamilton County residents -- not just those within city limits.
Accepted: Oil-based paint, pesticides, propane tanks up to 30 pounds, AC refrigerants, computer electronics, motor oil, thermometers, many solvents, gasoline, pool chemicals, and lithium batteries.
Not accepted: Latex paint (non-toxic -- dry it out and place in regular trash), medical waste, explosives, and commercial hazardous waste.
Hamilton County Recycling Centers (For Non-City Residents and Recyclables)
Residents outside city limits, and city residents with recyclables rather than refuse, can use Hamilton County's network of recycling centers. All centers accept the following: plastics #1 and #2, brown/green/clear glass, aluminum and mixed metals, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, computers and computer components, and rechargeable batteries.
Not accepted at any county recycling center: Televisions, microwaves, air conditioners, or any appliances.
| Center | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 58 | 5414 Hwy. 58, Chattanooga, TN 37416 | Mon & Wed 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-4pm |
| Middle Valley (Hixson) | 1868 Crabtree Road, Hixson, TN 37343 | Mon & Wed 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-4pm |
| Red Bank | 4857 Dayton Blvd., Red Bank, TN | Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm |
| Standifer Gap | 7625 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-4pm |
| Sequoyah (Soddy-Daisy) | 9525 Lovell Road, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 | Tue, Thu & Sat 8am-4pm |
When a Private Hauler Makes More Sense
City refuse centers are a useful resource for eligible residents with small loads and the right vehicle. They are not the right tool for every situation. A private junk removal professional is the better option when:
- You are a landlord, contractor, or business. City centers do not accept commercial waste and will turn you away if your tags or license address do not match eligibility requirements.
- Your vehicle is larger than a standard pickup truck. If you own a box truck, dump trailer, or similar vehicle, city centers will not allow you in.
- You have more than 8 bags per visit or have already used 12 visits this calendar year.
- You have materials the centers refuse: lumber, concrete, renovation debris, and roofing materials all require a private hauler with proper disposal relationships.
- You need same-day service. Refuse centers operate on fixed hours with no on-demand option. Private junk removal pros can often schedule same-day or next-day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to prove I live in Chattanooga to use the refuse centers?
Yes. You must present a valid Tennessee driver's license showing a City of Chattanooga residential address, and your vehicle must have valid Hamilton County tags. Commercial tags are turned away.
Can I bring a trailer to a refuse center?
No. Standard pickup trucks and smaller passenger vehicles are the maximum allowed. Dump bodies, tandem axle trailers, and larger vehicles are prohibited.
How many times per year can I use a refuse center?
Maximum 12 visits per calendar year, with no more than 8 bags of refuse per visit.
Can businesses or landlords use city refuse centers?
No. City refuse centers are for residential use by eligible City of Chattanooga residents only. Businesses, landlords managing rental properties, and contractors are not eligible.
Where do Hamilton County residents outside city limits take their junk?
Hamilton County operates five recycling centers (see the table above) that accept recyclables from all county residents regardless of city residency. For non-recyclable items or larger loads, a private junk removal professional is the appropriate option.
Have More Than the Centers Can Handle?
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