Trash & Recycling in Memphis, TN (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Memphis provides weekly curbside trash collection through the Solid Waste Management Division. Residents receive a city-issued 96-gallon roll cart. Trash must be placed in the cart with the lid closed; loose bags beside the cart are not collected on regular pickup days. Collection schedules vary by neighborhood and can be checked through the Memphis 311 system. Bulky items require a separate pickup request. The city also conducts neighborhood cleanup events periodically.
Memphis Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Clean City Guide — Household Garbage/Solid Waste
The Division of Solid Waste Management is responsible for collecting and disposing of solid waste in accordance with state and federal laws. The City of Memphis provides a 96-gallon receptacle to Solid Waste fee-paying customers for the disposal of household garbage/solid waste. Special Note: It is against the law for residents to burn trash within city limits. Carts should be placed at curbsid...
Bin Placement Rules
Memphis residents must place their city-issued roll cart at the curb with the handle facing the house and the opening facing the street. Carts must be at least 3 feet from mailboxes, utility poles, parked cars, and other obstacles. Carts should be on a flat surface at the edge of the curb or street. On non-collection days, carts must be stored behind the front plane of the house or otherwise out of public view.
Memphis Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Clean City Guide — Household Garbage/Solid Waste
Carts should be placed at curbside for trash pickup after 5:00 pm the day before or before 7:00 am the day of collection. Carts should be removed from curbside by 8:00 am the day after regularly scheduled collection. Handle trash responsibly by bagging it, sealing/tying the bags and closing/securing the lid on the cart. Every week, customers are allowed to place up to two 60-gallon bags of yard...
Bulk Item Disposal
Memphis provides bulk waste pickup for items that do not fit in the standard roll cart. Residents must call 311 or use the Memphis 311 app to schedule a bulk pickup. Items should be placed at the curb on the scheduled date. Accepted items include furniture, mattresses, appliances, and large household items. Hazardous waste, tires, and construction debris are not accepted through bulk pickup and must be taken to designated drop-off locations.
Memphis Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsTennessee Code, Section 39-14-505; Memphis Code, Section 9-56-10; Memphis Code, Article 1, Division 2, Section 9-56-17 through 9-56-18
Residents can place appliances, bulky items and yard waste that will not fit inside the cart curbside for pickup on designated Bulk Collection Weeks. These items must be safe and secured on the curb to prevent safety hazards. The Division of Solid Waste Management provides a "Bulk Week" service twice a month. Bulky item piles are limited to half a cubic yard, and bulky item piles should be plac...
Recycling Requirements
Memphis provides curbside recycling collection through a separate blue recycling cart. Recycling is single-stream, meaning all accepted recyclables go in one cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles. Contaminated items, plastic bags, and food waste should not be placed in the recycling cart. Recycling is collected on the same day as trash but may be on an alternate schedule.
Memphis Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsTennessee Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Rule 0400-11-01-09 Waste Reduction & Planning. Effective September 17, 2012
Curbside recycling is provided for all single-family homes and multi-family housing complexes of seven (7) units or fewer. The Solid Waste Management Division provides fee-paying households a 96-gallon recycling cart to collect paper, cardboard, plastics (#1 - #7), aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and clean milk/food cartons. It is all "single stream, no sort" recycling. If you ...