Knoxville, TN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Acceptable garbage
- Garbage, bulky waste, yard waste
- Bulky item cap
- 5 bulky items per cart limit
- Recycling container
- Must use city-issued container only
- Accepted materials
- Set by director per commodities markets
- Governing section
- § 13-17, acceptable refuse and recyclables
Summary
Knoxville accepts garbage, bulky waste, and yard waste for residential collection, while recyclables must go in the city-issued recycling container; the director sets which materials qualify based on commodities markets.
The following refuse shall be considered to be acceptable for residential garbage collection provided that it does not exceed contents of cart plus five (5) bulky items.
(1)Garbage;(2)Bulky waste; and(3)Yard waste. Bagged yard waste in excess of contents of cart will not be picked up as bulky waste. Recyclable material shall be considered to be acceptable for residential recycling collection provided that it is in a city-issued recycling container. The director or their designee determines what materials are recyclable based on commodities markets and may exclude certain items in single stream recycling upon public notification.
(Ord. No. O-451-00, § 1, 10-3-00; Ord. No. O-59-2011, § 6, 5-31-11; Ord. No. O-204-2016, § 7, 12-20-16)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 13-17 defines what's collected at the curb. Acceptable residential garbage is garbage, bulky waste, and yard waste, capped at the contents of the cart plus five bulky items; bagged yard waste beyond the cart's capacity isn't picked up as bulky waste. Recyclable material counts only if it's placed in a city-issued recycling container: there's no bring-your-own-bin option for recycling. The director or their designee decides which materials are recyclable based on commodities markets, and may exclude specific items from single-stream recycling after giving public notice, so the accepted-materials list can change without a Code amendment.
Violations & Fines
No stated fine for improper recycling; general Code penalty (§ 1-9) covers Code violations broadly: up to $50 fine, $500 costs, and/or 30 days jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put recyclables in any bin in Knoxville?
Is there a limit on bulky waste pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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