Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off: 4 City Locations, Current Hours & What Goes Where
Knoxville has four City recycling drop-off centers for everyday accepted recyclables, including glass that cannot go in the City curbside recycling cart. This guide separates those centers from the Elm Street Transfer Station, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Knox County Convenience Centers and specialty recycling routes so you can take each item to the right place.
Four City Drop-Off Areas
North · South · East · West Knoxville
Quick Answer Before You Load the Car
The City of Knoxville lists four recycling drop-off centers: North at 5412 Pleasant Ridge Road, South at 225 W. Moody Avenue, East at 210 Alice Street, and West at 341 Parkvillage Road. The current schedule, introduced March 1, 2026, is Monday–Friday 10 AM–7 PM and Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–2 PM.
Bring accepted recyclables clean, dry and loose. Do not bag them. Glass bottles and jars can go to these four City drop-off centers, but glass does not belong in the City curbside recycling cart.
On this page
- What to confirm first
- Four City locations
- Hours and holidays
- Accepted recyclables
- Glass, plastics and cardboard
- Food-scrap drop-off
- Electronics and TVs
- Household hazardous waste
- Transfer Station and fees
- Free for City Residents Day
- What not to put in recycling bins
- How to prepare a load
- Map and directions
- Official and related links
- FAQs
City of Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off: What to Confirm First
Knoxville’s waste system has several different destinations, and they are not interchangeable. The four City recycling drop-off centers are for accepted recyclables. Hazardous household chemicals use the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, while many bulky or disposal loads use the Transfer Station at 1033 Elm Street.
City Drop-Off Centers
Use for accepted glass, #1 and #2 plastic containers, cans, paper, newspaper and flattened cardboard.
HHW Facility
Use for accepted household chemicals, oil-based paint, rechargeable batteries, fuel, fluorescent bulbs and similar hazardous household products.
Transfer Station
Use for many accepted garbage, construction, demolition, appliance and other fee-based disposal loads.
What Goes Where
Use Knoxville’s official Service Day & Disposal tool when an item does not clearly belong in one of the standard recycling categories.
Do not use one facility for every type of waste
A recycling center being open does not mean its HHW, transfer-station or specialty services are available. Match your item to the correct service before driving.
Four City of Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Locations
The City currently lists four public recycling drop-off centers. All four are important for glass recycling because City curbside recycling does not accept glass bottles or jars.
Goodwill Store / Pleasant Ridge
5412 Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, TN
Chilhowee Park / Magnolia Avenue
210 Alice Street, Knoxville, TN
| Area | City-listed location | Address | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Goodwill Store / Pleasant Ridge | 5412 Pleasant Ridge Road | City recycling drop-off and glass |
| South | Chapman Highway | 225 W. Moody Avenue | City recycling drop-off and glass |
| East | Chilhowee Park / Magnolia Avenue | 210 Alice Street | City recycling drop-off and glass |
| West | Cedar Bluff | 341 Parkvillage Road | City recycling drop-off and glass |
Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Center Hours in 2026
The City introduced new hours on March 1, 2026. The four recycling drop-off centers are listed as open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Monday–Friday
10:00 AM–7:00 PM
This schedule is for the four City recycling drop-off centers, not the Elm Street Transfer Station or HHW Facility.
Saturday–Sunday
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Weekend recycling access does not mean hazardous waste or Transfer Station services follow the same schedule.
Holiday and Weather Closures
The City uses its official Drop-Off Centers page to publish holiday and weather alerts. A holiday closure can override normal weekday or weekend hours, so check the alert area before leaving home when a visit falls near a City holiday or severe-weather event.
“Open now” needs one extra check
Map listings can be useful for directions, but the City page is the stronger source for current drop-off hours, holiday notices and recycling rules. Check it before loading a large amount of material.
What the City Recycling Drop-Off Centers Accept
Knoxville instructs visitors to bring recyclables clean and dry and to place them loose in the recycling bins, not inside plastic bags. The accepted list covers common household recycling rather than every unwanted household item.
| Material | Examples | Preparation rule |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Brown, green and clear glass bottles and jars | Use City drop-off centers; do not place glass in City curbside recycling carts |
| Plastics | #1 and #2 cups, bottles, jugs and containers with attached caps | No plastic bags |
| Metals | Aluminum, steel and tin cans | Empty and keep clean |
| Mixed paper | Junk mail, magazines, office paper, school paper, cartons, paper cups, soft-cover books and paperboard | Keep clean and dry |
| Shredded paper | Household shredded paper | Secure it fully inside paper bags or envelopes |
| Newspaper | Newspapers and inserts | Keep dry |
| Cardboard | Corrugated shipping and moving boxes | Flatten before drop-off |
Reusable household goods
The City also directs reusable household goods to the Goodwill attendant where applicable. Give donation items directly to staff rather than placing them in recycling containers.
Glass, Plastics and Cardboard: Knoxville Rules That Prevent Rejected Loads
Glass Recycling
Glass is one of the most important Knoxville-specific distinctions. Brown, green and clear bottles and jars are accepted at the four City drop-off centers. The City also identifies UT’s Recycling Center as a glass option, while Knox County Convenience Centers currently do not accept glass for recycling.
Do not place glass bottles or jars in a City curbside recycling cart.
#1 and #2 Plastics
The City drop-off list specifically includes #1 and #2 plastic containers such as cups, bottles and jugs with attached caps. Plastic bags are excluded. For plastics numbered #3–7, check the City’s current recycling guidance rather than assuming the resin number alone makes an item acceptable.
Cardboard
Flatten cardboard before arrival and remove obvious non-cardboard packing materials such as plastic film, foam and bubble wrap. Wet or food-contaminated cardboard should not be mixed into clean recycling.
Food-Scrap Drop-Off at Some Knoxville Recycling Centers
Knoxville’s compost guidance adds another useful distinction: three of the four City recycling-center areas are listed as food-scrap drop-off locations. The City currently identifies the Pleasant Ridge/North, Chapman Highway/South and Chilhowee Park/East locations for this service.
The Cedar Bluff/West recycling center is not listed among those three food-scrap sites in the City compost guidance. Check the current compost page before bringing food scraps because compost collection instructions differ from standard recycling.
Keep food scraps out of normal recycling bins
A location offering both recycling and food-scrap collection still uses separate containers and rules. Do not mix food waste with bottles, cans, paper or cardboard.
Electronics, Computers and TVs Need Different Knoxville Routes
Electronics should not be placed into ordinary recycling drop-off bins. Knoxville’s specialty guidance points residents toward item-specific options, including the City Solid Waste Facility, selected Knox County Convenience Centers, UT Recycling and certain donation or retail programs depending on the device.
Computer Systems and Small Electronics
The City HHW Facility accepts computer systems and accessories, cell phones, chargers, string lights and certain other electronics. The official HHW guidance lists a limit of three computer systems per visit before charges may apply.
TVs
TVs are specifically excluded from the HHW accepted-electronics list. The City states that TVs may instead be disposed of at the Solid Waste Facility for a fee. Do not put a television beside or inside normal recycling bins.
For broader preparation guidance, see our electronic recycling center guide.
Knoxville Household Hazardous Waste: 1033 Elm Street
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is inside the City Solid Waste Facility at 1033 Elm Street, Knoxville, TN 37921. The HHW phone number is 865-215-6710.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
7:00 AM–3:45 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM–11:45 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM–11:45 AM
Sunday: Closed
No Fee for Accepted HHW
The City states there is no fee to drop off accepted household hazardous waste. Business, nonprofit, church and other non-residential hazardous waste must use private disposal services.
Daily HHW Limits
| Material limit | Current City rule |
|---|---|
| Oil-based paint | Up to 20 gallons per day |
| Other HHW liquids | Up to 10 gallons per day |
| Total HHW material | Up to 100 pounds per day |
| Individual container size | Containers larger than 5 gallons are not accepted |
Common Accepted HHW
Examples include acids, aerosol cans, automotive oil and fuel, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, lithium and rechargeable batteries, bleach, brake fluid, cleaners, cooking grease, fertilizers, fire extinguishers, fluorescent tubes, CFL bulbs, gasoline, herbicides, insecticides, kerosene, mercury thermometers, oil-based paint, paint thinner, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane cylinders, spray paint and stains.
Important HHW exclusions
Knoxville does not accept alkaline batteries, latex paint as HHW, unidentified materials, commercial or industrial hazardous waste, or HHW brought in commercial/work vehicles. Latex paint should follow the City’s current drying and household-trash instructions.
For general HHW planning, see our household hazardous waste recycling center guide.
Knoxville Transfer Station Fees: Important September 2026 Update
The Transfer Station is also at 1033 Elm Street, but it is a different service from the four recycling drop-off centers. All Transfer Station visitors must cross the scale, and the facility accepts credit or debit cards rather than cash.
Rates changed September 1, 2026
The City’s current rate update lists $85 per ton for garbage, construction and demolition debris, $95 per ton for loads containing shingles, and $85 per ton for appliances containing refrigerant. Scrap metal and appliances without refrigerant are listed as no charge.
The City also states that loads weighing more than 4 tons / 8,000 pounds are no longer accepted.
| Transfer Station item | Current published rate / rule |
|---|---|
| Garbage, construction & demolition debris | $85 per ton |
| Loads containing shingles | $95 per ton |
| Appliances containing refrigerant | $85 per ton |
| Scrap metal / appliances without refrigerant | No charge listed |
| Maximum accepted load | No loads over 8,000 lb / 4 tons |
Transfer Station Hours
Current hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:45 PM; Wednesday from 7:00 AM to 11:45 AM; Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM; and Sunday closed.
Payment Rules
The facility does not accept cash. The City also lists several unsupported card/payment types, including American Express, Apple Metal Cards, Chime, Citi Mastercard, Divvy and Venmo. Check the official Transfer Station page before bringing a paid load because payment systems and rates can change.
Why the September update matters
Some City web content may still expose older fee rows while the current update notice shows the September 1, 2026 rates. Use the newest City notice or confirm with the Scale House at 865-215-6700 before a paid trip.
Free for City of Knoxville Residents Day
The City lists the first Saturday of each month, unless affected by a holiday, as Free for City Residents Day at the Transfer Station. This program is specifically for City of Knoxville residents, not Knox County residents generally and not commercial businesses.
Proof of City Residence
Be prepared to show proof that you live inside the City of Knoxville.
Not an unrestricted free-disposal day
No commercial vehicles or waste, no dump trucks, no shingles, no brush, no trailers over 2,500 pounds gross weight, and one visit per household.
The City warns that long lines can occur. Holiday weekends can also move or cancel the usual first-Saturday schedule, so confirm the current calendar before visiting.
What Not to Put in Regular Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Bins
A recycling drop-off center is not a general dumping area. Items that require special handling should never be hidden in bags, boxes or ordinary recycling containers.
Plastic Film & Foam
Do not place plastic bags, film, bubble wrap, air pillows or foam packaging in the normal recycling bins.
Hazardous Materials
Chemicals, fuels, oil-based paint, hazardous batteries and other HHW belong in the dedicated household hazardous waste route.
Bulky & Disposal Waste
TVs, construction debris, shingles, mixed garbage and many bulky items belong in other approved disposal programs.
Medical Waste
Do not put medical waste or sharps in recycling. Follow Knoxville’s specific disposal instructions for these materials.
Non-container Glass
Ceramics, porcelain and non-bottle/jar glass should not be mixed into the glass recycling stream.
Food & Trash
Food waste, liquids and household garbage contaminate standard recycling. Use the correct compost or trash route.
How to Prepare for a Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Trip
Choose the correct service
Use a City recycling drop-off center for accepted recyclables, the HHW Facility for eligible hazardous household material and the Transfer Station for applicable disposal loads.
Check today’s schedule
Review current hours plus any holiday or weather alert before driving.
Keep recycling clean and dry
Empty containers and protect paper and cardboard from rain, food and liquids.
Do not bag recyclables
Place accepted recycling loose in the designated bins. Plastic bags themselves are not accepted in the standard recycling stream.
Flatten cardboard
Break boxes down and remove foam, plastic film and other non-cardboard packing material.
Separate glass from curbside recycling
Take accepted glass bottles and jars to a City drop-off center or another currently approved glass location instead of using the City curbside cart.
Check limits before transporting HHW or paid waste
HHW has gallon, weight and container-size limits. Transfer Station loads have fees, payment restrictions and a maximum accepted weight.
City of Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Map
The City operates multiple recycling centers, so this map is intended as a starting point for directions rather than a substitute for the official locations and hours page.
Map listings are for navigation
Use the official City of Knoxville page for current operating hours, closures, accepted materials and service rules. A map pin alone does not confirm that a special item can be dropped off.
Official Knoxville Resources and Related Recycling Guides
Official City of Knoxville Resources
Related Recycling-Centre.org Guides
Frequently Asked Questions About Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off
How many City of Knoxville recycling drop-off centers are there?
The City lists four: North at 5412 Pleasant Ridge Road, South at 225 W. Moody Avenue, East at 210 Alice Street and West at 341 Parkvillage Road.
What are the current City of Knoxville recycling drop-off hours?
The schedule introduced March 1, 2026 is Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Holiday and weather closures can override the regular schedule.
Are Knoxville recycling drop-off centers open on holidays?
Not necessarily. The City publishes holiday and weather alerts for the recycling centers. Check the official Drop-Off Centers page before visiting around a holiday or severe-weather event.
Where can I recycle glass in Knoxville?
Brown, green and clear glass bottles and jars are accepted at the four City recycling drop-off centers. The City also identifies UT’s Recycling Center as a glass option. Glass is not accepted in the City curbside recycling cart.
What items can I take to a City of Knoxville recycling drop-off center?
The City lists glass bottles and jars, #1 and #2 plastic containers, aluminum, steel and tin cans, mixed paper, newspaper and flattened cardboard. Recyclables should be clean, dry and loose in the bins.
Can I put recycling in plastic bags at a Knoxville drop-off center?
No. Knoxville instructs visitors to place recyclables loose in the bins. Plastic bags are not accepted in the standard recycling stream.
Where should electronics and TVs go in Knoxville?
Certain electronics are accepted through the Household Hazardous Waste/Solid Waste system and other specialty routes. TVs are not accepted as HHW and are instead listed as a fee-based Solid Waste Facility item. Check the specific item before visiting.
Where do I take household hazardous waste in Knoxville?
Use the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1033 Elm Street. Current hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:00 AM–3:45 PM; Wednesday 7:00 AM–11:45 AM; Saturday 8:00 AM–11:45 AM; and Sunday closed.
What are the current Knoxville Transfer Station rates and Free for City Residents Day rules?
The September 1, 2026 update lists garbage/construction/demolition debris at $85 per ton, shingle loads at $95 per ton and refrigerant appliances at $85 per ton. The first Saturday of the month is normally Free for City Residents Day unless changed by a holiday; proof of City residence and load restrictions apply.
Which Knoxville recycling centers accept food scraps?
The City compost guidance lists food-scrap drop-off at the Pleasant Ridge/North, Chapman Highway/South and Chilhowee Park/East recycling-center areas. Check the current compost instructions before using the service.
Source Verification
This guide was refreshed against current City of Knoxville recycling, Household Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste Facility, Transfer Station, Service Day & Disposal and compost information available on September 30, 2026.