DISPOSAL & RECYCLING LOCATIONS
Find the Right Place for Every Type of Waste
Drop-off sites, recycling centers, and hazardous waste facilities across Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, McMinn, Monroe, and Meigs counties.
Don't Dump It — Drop It Off
Illegal dumping is one of the biggest litter problems in rural Southeast Tennessee. Most of the time it happens because people don't know where to take their waste. This directory covers every major disposal and recycling option in the region — from curbside pickup schedules to hazardous waste events.
Hamilton County
Hamilton County Solid Waste Authority
Main landfill and transfer station. Accepts household solid waste, bulk items, and yard waste.
VISIT WEBSITEChattanooga Curbside Recycling
Accepts paper, cardboard, plastic #1–#2, aluminum, steel cans. No glass curbside.
VISIT WEBSITEHamilton County Recycling Drop-Off Centers
Drop-off bins for paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass at several county locations.
VISIT WEBSITEHamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Events
Accepts paint, pesticides, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics. Free for residents.
VISIT WEBSITEBest Buy Electronics Recycling — Chattanooga
Free drop-off for TVs, computers, phones, cables, and most electronics. No CRT TVs over 32".
VISIT WEBSITEBradley County
Bradley County Solid Waste Department
Accepts household solid waste and bulk items. Yard waste accepted separately.
VISIT WEBSITEBradley County Recycling Center
Drop-off recycling for paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
VISIT WEBSITEBradley County HHW Collection
Periodic household hazardous waste collection events. Call solid waste office for upcoming dates.
VISIT WEBSITEPolk County
Polk County Transfer Station
Accepts household solid waste and bulk items. Serves the Ocoee River corridor area.
VISIT WEBSITEPolk County Recycling Drop-Off
Drop-off recycling co-located with the transfer station. Accepts paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum.
VISIT WEBSITEMcMinn County
McMinn County Solid Waste
Accepts household solid waste, bulk items, and tires (fee may apply for tires).
VISIT WEBSITEMcMinn County Recycling Center
Drop-off recycling for paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
VISIT WEBSITEMonroe County
Monroe County Recycling Drop-Off
Drop-off recycling co-located with solid waste facility.
VISIT WEBSITEMeigs County
Meigs County Solid Waste
Accepts household solid waste. Call ahead to confirm current facility location and hours.
VISIT WEBSITEMeigs County Recycling Drop-Off
Drop-off recycling available. Call solid waste office for current locations.
VISIT WEBSITESPECIAL ITEMS
Items That Need Special Handling
These items cannot go in regular trash or recycling bins. Here's where to take them across SE Tennessee.
Motor Oil & Automotive Fluids
Many AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts locations accept used motor oil for free. Call ahead to confirm. Never pour oil down a drain or on the ground.
Tires
Most county solid waste facilities accept tires for a small fee ($1–3 per tire). Tire retailers are required by Tennessee law to accept tires when you purchase new ones. Never dump tires — it's a felony in Tennessee.
Batteries (Household & Automotive)
Household batteries: many retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy) have drop-off bins. Car batteries: auto parts stores accept them free. Never put batteries in regular trash — they contain toxic heavy metals.
Paint
Latex paint: let it dry completely (add kitty litter to speed drying) and dispose in regular trash. Oil-based paint: hazardous waste only. PaintCare drop-off locations available at participating retailers — check paintcare.org.
Electronics & E-Waste
Best Buy (Chattanooga) accepts most electronics free. Hamilton County holds periodic e-waste events. Tennessee law prohibits landfilling TVs, computers, and monitors — check e-cycleTN.com for certified recyclers.
Medications & Sharps
Unused medications: DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back events, or use an approved drug disposal bag (available at pharmacies). Sharps/needles: contact your county health department for safe disposal options. Never flush medications.
Appliances & Scrap Metal
Most county solid waste facilities accept appliances (fee may apply). Scrap metal yards in Chattanooga and Cleveland accept metal for recycling — often for cash. Refrigerators and AC units require CFC removal before disposal.
Plastic Bags & Film Plastic
Never put plastic bags in curbside recycling — they jam sorting machinery. Drop off clean, dry plastic bags and film at participating grocery stores (Walmart, Kroger, Food City). Look for the How2Recycle drop-off bin near the entrance.
REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING
See Something? Report It.
Illegal dumping is a felony in Tennessee. If you witness illegal dumping or find a dump site, report it. Your report helps TDEC prioritize cleanup and pursue enforcement.
TDEC Environmental Violations Hotline
1-888-891-833224/7 hotline for reporting illegal dumping, pollution, and environmental violations statewide.
TDOT Litter Hotline
1-800-342-3258Report roadside litter and illegal dumping on state highways. Also use to schedule bag pickup after a roadside cleanup.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
1-800-831-1174Report dumping in or near waterways, wildlife areas, and state parks.
Know the Guides. Know the Rules.
Pair this directory with our how-to guides for trash removal, recycling, and Leave No Trace principles.