Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off: Hours, Map & Accepted Items
Use this Chattanooga recycling drop-off guide before you load the car. It explains official recycle center hours, five drop-off addresses, map links, accepted materials, glass rules, electronics limits, HHW help, wood recycling, holiday closures and simple local tips.
Chattanooga recycle centers are closed Mondays. Posted hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Saturday 9 AM-6 PM and Sunday 1 PM-5 PM.
Official drop-off addresses include Brainerd Road, E. 3rd Street, Cummings Highway, Batters Place Road and N. Access Road.
Accepted items include aluminum cans, steel cans, newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, glass, #1 and #2 plastic containers and computer electronics.
Fast Answer: Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off Today
Hamilton County residents are allowed to use the City of Chattanooga recycle centers. The official recycle centers are closed on Mondays, open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Use these drop-off centers for accepted recyclables such as aluminum cans, steel cans, newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, glass, #1 and #2 plastic containers, computer electronics and cooking oil except at Batters Place Road. Do not use recycle centers for trash, yard waste, TVs, fluorescent bulbs, plastic bags, food or non-computer electronics.
Screenshot Guide: Official Chattanooga Recycle Center Hours, Locations & Accepted Items
This screenshot is placed near the official action section because readers first need to recognize where Chattanooga.gov shows recycle-center locations, hours, holiday closures, accepted materials and non-accepted items.
Image description: This visual helps readers recognize the official Chattanooga Recycle Centers information page and understand where to confirm today’s hours, five drop-off addresses, map links, accepted materials, non-accepted items and holiday closures. It is a user-help visual reference only, not proof of live open status.
Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off Overview
A Chattanooga recycling search can mean a recycle drop-off center, curbside recycling, refuse collection center, household hazardous waste facility or wood recycling center. This page focuses first on the five official recycle centers, then explains when you need a different City service.
The most important distinction is glass. Chattanooga’s curbside recycle container page says glass is not accepted inside the curbside recycle container, but brown, green and clear glass can be taken to recycle centers. That means a drop-off center is often the correct answer for glass recycling.
Chattanooga Recycle Center Hours, Open Today and Sunday Help
The official recycle-center schedule is Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Recycle centers are closed Mondays and on listed City holidays.
| User Search Intent | Official Planning Answer | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga recycling drop-off hours today | Use the Tue-Fri, Sat, Sun schedule unless today is Monday or a listed holiday. | Check the official page before loading your car during holiday weeks. |
| Chattanooga recycling center open now | Use Eastern Time and the official posted window only as a planning guide. | Do not rely only on map-app open-now labels. |
| Chattanooga recycling Sunday hours | Sunday hours are listed as 1:00 PM-5:00 PM. | Arrive early enough to sort items before closing. |
| Chattanooga recycling Monday hours | Recycle centers are closed Mondays. | Plan for Tuesday or use the proper curbside schedule if applicable. |
Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off Locations and Map Links
Chattanooga lists five official recycle center drop-off locations. Use the closest center, but check item notes carefully because cooking oil is not accepted at Batters Place Road.
| Official Drop-Off Location | Map Button | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 5955 Brainerd Road | Map Brainerd Road | Helpful for east/southeast Chattanooga drop-off trips. |
| 1250 E. 3rd Street | Map E. 3rd Street | Useful for central/downtown-side residents. |
| 3189 Cummings Hwy | Map Cummings Hwy | Useful for Lookout Valley / west-side access. |
| 8004 Batters Place Road | Map Batters Place | Good for nearby residents, but do not take cooking oil here. |
| 4504 N. Access Road | Map N. Access Road | Helpful for north-side and Hixson-area trips. |
Accepted Items at Chattanooga Recycle Centers
The official recycle-center page lists aluminum cans, steel cans, newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, glass, #1 and #2 plastic containers, computer electronics and cooking oil as accepted materials. Food containers should be rinsed before drop-off.
Items Not Accepted at Chattanooga Recycle Centers
Do not bring clothes, plastic bags, DVD players, Styrofoam, non-computer electronics, televisions, fluorescent bulbs, VCRs, food, yard waste or large toys to the regular recycle centers. These materials can contaminate loads or require a different official route.
| Item | Why It Is a Problem | Better Route |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Can tangle equipment and contaminate recycling. | Use store take-back where available. |
| TVs and non-computer electronics | Not listed as regular recycle-center accepted materials. | Check HHW/electronics guidance or other approved electronics route. |
| Fluorescent bulbs | Potential hazardous material issue. | Use Household Hazardous Waste guidance. |
| Food and Styrofoam | Contaminates recyclable material. | Use proper trash/disposal route. |
| Yard waste | Not a recycle-center item. | Use Wood Recycling Center or yard-waste guidance. |
Glass Recycling in Chattanooga
Glass is one of the most common Chattanooga recycling questions. The City’s curbside recycling guidance says glass is not accepted inside your recycle container, but brown, green and clear glass can be taken to one of the recycle centers throughout the city.
That means a resident with glass bottles or jars should not assume the curbside cart is correct. Use one of the official drop-off centers, keep glass separate when possible and avoid mixing food waste or plastic bags with the load.
Computer Electronics vs TVs and Non-Computer Electronics
Computer electronics are listed as acceptable materials at Chattanooga recycle centers. But the same official page lists televisions, DVD players, VCRs and non-computer electronics as non-accepted materials. This is an important difference because users often search “electronics recycling” and expect all electronics to be accepted.
Before taking a computer, remove personal data where possible. Sign out of accounts, back up files, remove memory cards and wipe drives when you can. A drop-off center handles the material stream; it is not automatically a data-destruction service.
Curbside Recycling vs Drop-Off Recycling
Chattanooga’s curbside recycling is separate from drop-off recycling. The City provides biweekly curbside recycling collections to households and businesses, and the curbside page says recycle containers are free of charge. Curbside rules also say material must be clean, food-free, not bagged and the cart lid must close.
| Question | Use Curbside Cart | Use Drop-Off Recycle Center |
|---|---|---|
| Clean paper and flattened cardboard | Yes, if it fits cart rules. | Yes, especially for extra cardboard. |
| Glass bottles and jars | No, not inside curbside recycle container. | Yes, use recycle centers. |
| Plastic bags | No. | No. |
| Computer electronics | No. | Yes, listed at recycle centers. |
| TVs and non-computer electronics | No. | No, use another approved route. |
Household Hazardous Waste: Paint, Chemicals, Bulbs and Batteries
Do not treat household hazardous waste like normal drop-off recycling. Chattanooga’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is listed Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It accepts residential hazardous materials from Tennessee residents and requires a state-issued driver’s license showing Tennessee residency.
The HHW page lists a maximum of 15 gallons or 150 pounds per household and notes that businesses must use a commercial hazardous waste collection hauler. Accepted examples include oil-based paint, gasoline, pesticides, motor oil, vehicle fluids, compact fluorescent tubes, wet and dry cell batteries, propane tanks or bottles up to 30 pounds and computer-related electronics.
Wood Recycling Center: Brush, Leaves, Natural Wood and Mulch
Yard waste and wood debris do not belong at regular recycle centers. Chattanooga’s Wood Recycling Center is listed at 4063 North Hawthorne Street, open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:50 PM, with holiday closures.
The Wood Recycling Center processes yard waste from homes, contractors and self-haulers. City residents may dispose of acceptable wood waste in a standard-size pickup truck or single-axle trailer at no charge, while non-city residents, businesses and contractors pay a standard disposal fee. Mulch is available at no charge to City of Chattanooga residents only with valid driver’s license.
| Wood / Yard Item | Correct Route | Important Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Raw natural wood | Wood Recycling Center | Acceptable when it follows size and material rules. |
| Brush and leaves | Wood Recycling Center | Do not take to regular recycle centers. |
| Treated lumber, pallets, glued wood, painted wood | Not accepted as clean wood recycling | Use official disposal guidance. |
| Root balls, stumps, dirt, rocks, trash | Not accepted at Wood Recycling Center | Check refuse/landfill options. |
Refuse Collection Centers Are Not the Same as Recycle Centers
Chattanooga also has refuse collection centers for bulky trash items from City households. These are not the same as recycle centers. The refuse centers have similar posted hours, but they have different location lists, residency rules, visit limits, acceptable materials and non-accepted materials.
If your item is a mattress, furniture, appliance, drywall, metal, tire or bulky trash item, check the refuse collection center page instead of treating it like recycling. If your item is cardboard, glass, cans, paper or #1/#2 plastic, use the recycle center or curbside recycling rules.
Fees and Cost: What Is Free and What May Cost Money
The regular recycle-center page does not present a per-load fee for Hamilton County residents using the recycle centers. But that does not mean every waste service is free. Wood Recycling Center fees apply to non-city residents, businesses and contractors, while HHW is residential-only and commercial hazardous waste must use a commercial hauler.
| Service | Cost / Limit Signal | What Residents Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Recycle centers | Hamilton County residents are allowed to use centers; no per-load fee is shown on the recycle-center page. | Use only accepted items and verify holiday closures. |
| Curbside recycle containers | City curbside page lists recycle containers as free of charge. | Follow cart rules and do not put glass in curbside recycle container. |
| Wood Recycling Center | City residents: no charge for eligible standard-size pickup/single-axle trailer loads. Non-city residents, businesses and contractors: standard fee listed. | Bring valid ID and follow load-size/material rules. |
| Household Hazardous Waste | Residential hazardous waste only, with Tennessee driver’s license required and 15-gallon/150-pound household maximum. | Do not bring commercial waste or unidentifiable material. |
How to Prepare Before Visiting a Chattanooga Recycle Center
- Check the day first. Recycle centers are closed Mondays and listed holidays. Sunday hours are shorter than weekday and Saturday hours.
- Pick the closest official location. Choose one of the five official drop-off centers and open the map before loading.
- Sort at home. Separate glass, cardboard, mixed paper, cans, #1/#2 plastic containers and computer electronics before leaving.
- Rinse food containers. The official page notes rinsing food containers for #1/#2 plastics and steel cans.
- Keep plastic bags out. Plastic bags are not accepted and can create contamination.
- Use HHW for hazardous materials. Paint thinner, oil-based paint, batteries, bulbs, chemicals and motor oil should follow HHW guidance.
- Use the Wood Recycling Center for yard waste. Brush, leaves and natural wood are not regular recycle-center items.
Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off Map
The map below uses a broad Chattanooga recycle-center search because the City lists five official drop-off locations, not one single recycling center. Use the official City page to confirm the exact address and map link before you drive.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County or Chattanooga.gov website. Hours, holiday closures, accepted materials, fees, residency rules and drop-off procedures can change. Always verify with the official City page before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off
Who can use Chattanooga recycle centers?
The official Chattanooga recycle-center page says Hamilton County residents are allowed to use the recycle centers.
What are Chattanooga recycle center hours?
Recycle centers are listed Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. They are closed Mondays and listed holidays.
How many Chattanooga recycle center locations are there?
The City lists five recycle-center locations: 5955 Brainerd Road, 1250 E. 3rd Street, 3189 Cummings Hwy, 8004 Batters Place Road and 4504 N. Access Road.
What items are accepted at Chattanooga recycle centers?
Accepted materials include aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard, #1 and #2 plastic containers, computer electronics, steel cans, glass, mixed paper and cooking oil except at Batters Place Road.
Is glass accepted at Chattanooga recycle centers?
Yes. Glass is accepted at recycle centers. This is important because glass is not accepted inside the curbside recycle container.
Can I put glass in my Chattanooga curbside recycle cart?
No. Chattanooga’s curbside recycling guidance says glass is not accepted inside your recycle container, but brown, green and clear glass can be taken to recycle centers.
Are TVs accepted at Chattanooga recycle centers?
No. The official recycle-center page lists televisions as non-accepted materials. Computer electronics are accepted, but TVs and non-computer electronics need a different route.
Can I take cooking oil to any Chattanooga recycle center?
Cooking oil is listed as accepted, but not at Batters Place Road. Use another official recycle center for cooking oil.
Where do I take household hazardous waste in Chattanooga?
Use the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, which is listed Tuesday-Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A Tennessee driver’s license showing residency is required during drop-off.
Where do I take brush, leaves or natural wood?
Use Chattanooga’s Wood Recycling Center at 4063 North Hawthorne Street. It is separate from regular recycle centers and follows its own hours, material rules and fee rules.
Final Local Summary
For normal Chattanooga recycling drop-off, start with the City’s five recycle centers. They are open Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Saturday 9 AM-6 PM and Sunday 1 PM-5 PM, closed Mondays and listed holidays.
Bring accepted recyclables such as aluminum cans, steel cans, newspaper, cardboard, #1/#2 plastic containers, glass, mixed paper, computer electronics and cooking oil except at Batters Place Road. Use HHW for hazardous materials, Wood Recycling Center for brush/leaves/natural wood and refuse centers for bulky trash.