Memphis, TN Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Garbage and recycling weekly
- Find your day
- Memphis Curbside Collection app
- Holiday shift
- Monday routes move to Tuesday
- Bulk pickup
- Outside-the-Cart, twice monthly
- Set-out time
- By 7 a.m. collection day
Summary
Memphis collects your green garbage cart and gray recycling cart weekly on the same day, with twice-monthly Outside-the-Cart bulk pickup. Find your day in the Memphis Curbside Collection app; some holidays shift routes.
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 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. Household solid waste is collected weekly on the customer's designated collection day.
Full Breakdown
Garbage and recycling are collected weekly on the same day, plus weekly yard waste and twice-monthly Outside-the-Cart bulk pickup. Find your day with the Memphis Curbside Collection app, at memphistn.gov/solid-waste, or by calling 311. For Monday holidays (MLK, Presidents', Memorial Day, Labor Day), Monday routes move to Tuesday; for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Monday and Tuesday customers are collected the Monday before. Outside-the-Cart weeks (1 and 3, or 2 and 4) collect furniture, mattresses, appliances, and large debris on your regular day. Set carts out by 7 a.m., no earlier than 5 p.m. the prior day.
Violations & Fines
Under City Code Chapter 9-56, carts go out by 7 a.m. (not before 5 p.m. the prior day), within three feet of the street with the lid facing the street, and removed by 8 a.m. the following day. Violations are enforceable as ordinance offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my trash pickup day in Memphis?
How does Outside-the-Cart bulk pickup work in Memphis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
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