Trash & Recycling in Shelby County, TN (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Shelby County government does not provide universal curbside garbage collection in most unincorporated areas; residents typically contract a private hauler for service. The county sanitary code (Chapter 44) governs how garbage is stored. Northaven is an exception, where a county-contracted hauler collects trash weekly with bulk pickup twice a month.
Shelby County Trash Pickup Rules (Unincorporated)
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-57 (Sanitary code authorized)
The county is authorized to establish a sanitary code for the disposal of garbage and rubbish within the county outside the corporate limits of all municipalities within the county.
Bin Placement Rules
Shelby County's sanitary code (Chapter 44, Division 2) governs how garbage containers are kept in the unincorporated county, requiring lids kept tightly closed and containers in safe, watertight condition. Bulk-container placement and pickup frequency must meet Health Department requirements; curb setout schedules are set by each hauler or city.
Shelby County Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-63 (Refuse containers generally)
Lids or covers of such containers shall be kept tightly closed at all times other than when garbage is being deposited therein or removed therefrom... Containers having ragged or sharp edges or other defects shall be promptly replaced.
Bulk Item Disposal
Shelby County's litter-control code defines 'bulky refuse' as discarded appliances, furniture, and inoperable vehicles over 75 pounds or 35 gallons. In unincorporated areas, bulky items go through a private hauler's bulk service or lawful disposal; the county also runs a Household Hazardous Waste facility and a Waste Tire site.
Shelby County Bulk & Bulky Waste Disposal
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-87 (definition of bulky refuse)
Bulky refuse means discarded appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, water tanks, washing machines, discarded furniture, and inoperable motor vehicles, or similar bulky materials having a weight greater than 75 pounds and/or volume greater than 35 gallons.
Illegal Dumping
Shelby County Code section 44-88 prohibits throwing, dumping, or depositing litter on another's or public property, and section 44-92 fines violators up to $50 per offense. Illegal dumping is prosecuted in the Shelby County Environmental Court, and Tennessee's litter statutes (T.C.A. 39-14-501 et seq.) add escalating criminal penalties.
Shelby County Illegal Dumping Rules
Heavy RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-88 (Throwing, dumping, or depositing litter)
A person shall not throw, dump, deposit, or cause to be thrown, dumped or deposited, litter on property owned by another person, or on any public highway, street, or road, upon public parks or recreation areas, or upon any other public property, or maintain a nuisance on such property, except property legally designated for that use.
Dumpster Rules
In unincorporated Shelby County, businesses and multi-unit properties using bulk-type garbage and trash containers, dumpsters, must get their pickup frequency, placement method and container type approved by the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department under County Code Sec. 44-64.
Shelby County Bulk Trash Container Rules
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code Sec. 44-64
(a) Private pickup and disposal service may be used with a bulk-type garbage and trash container. The frequency of pickup, the placing and method of disposal of garbage and trash and the type of container used, shall meet requirements of the health department. The health department shall adopt regulations pertaining to the regulations of this type of service. (b) Trash containers shall be of a ...
Recycling Rules
Shelby County has no curbside recycling ordinance for households; its one recycling-specific rule targets tire businesses. Any shop in the unincorporated county that resells tires or generates waste tires needs an annual $250.00 permit from the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, which also runs random compliance inspections.
Shelby County Tire Business Recycling Permits
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 8-655
All tire businesses located within the unincorporated areas of the county engaging in the resale of tires or the generation of waste tires shall be issued a permit annually by county, by and through the Memphis and Shelby County office of construction code enforcement for a nonrefundable fee of $250.00. The county will conduct random inspections of such tire businesses for the sake of monitorin...
Trash & Recycling by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
See every category we cover for Shelby County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Shelby County Ordinance Hub →