Franklin, TN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Municipal Code § 17-201(1) defines "recyclables" as any item the sanitation director approves for collection as a reuse commodity, from any residence or establishment, public or private, but the definition specifically excludes hazardous waste, infectious waste, commercial, industrial, or residential solid waste, sewage, body wastes, and recognizable industrial or medical byproducts; approved items can include cardboard, aluminum, tin, steel, newspaper, or anything else the director approves. Section 17-202 gives the director authority to set and modify rules on where recycling containers go and when they're serviced, and puts collection of residential recyclables under the Sanitation and Environmental Services Department's jurisdiction, with a duty to collect frequently enough to prevent nuisance and health problems.

Section 17-203 requires every area where recycling containers sit to be kept clean and sanitary by whoever operates or services it. Section 17-204(1) makes it unlawful to dump recyclables into any stream, ditch, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, or other drain in the city, mirroring the MSW dumping ban. Section 17-205(1) then bars specific substances from recycling containers: flammable liquids, solids, or gases; anything hazardous or damaging to city employees or equipment; hot materials like ashes or cinders; human or animal waste; infectious waste and used hypodermic syringes (which must go to a licensed medical-waste firm); construction and demolition debris; and rocks, dirt, bricks, concrete, broken glass, or sharp metal.