Kingsport, TN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Accepted materials
- Newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, used oil, approved plastic bottles
- Separation
- Encouraged, not commanded
- Plastic bags
- Recyclable materials shall not be placed in plastic bags
- Containers
- Approved containers supplied by the city
- Set-out timing
- No sooner than 24 hours before pickup (§ 86-29(c))
- General penalty
- $10.00 to $50.00 under § 1-14 unless otherwise provided
Summary
The City of Kingsport, Tennessee encourages every resident to separate newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, used oil and approved plastic bottles from other solid waste and to use the approved containers the city supplies. The one mandatory line in the section is that recyclable materials shall not be placed in plastic bags.
Every resident is encouraged to separate recyclable material (newspapers, glass bottles, alumi- num and steel cans, used oil and plastic bottles of approved types) from all other solid waste and place such recyclable materials in approved containers supplied by the city. Recyclable materials shall not be placed in plastic bags.
Full Breakdown
Section 86-34 is the whole of Kingsport's resident recycling rule, and its wording splits into an encouragement and a command. The encouragement: every resident is encouraged to separate recyclable material from all other solid waste and to place it in approved containers supplied by the city. The material list is specific: newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, used oil and plastic bottles of approved types. The command: recyclable materials shall not be placed in plastic bags.
The rest of Chapter 86 treats recyclables as solid waste once they are discarded. The definition in § 86-1 sweeps in recyclable materials when they become discarded, so § 86-2, which makes it unlawful for anyone other than an owner or occupant to remove any solid waste from a residential, commercial or industrial container without the express consent of the owner or lessee, reads on a set-out recycling container as well. Section 86-4 requires containers to be kept from overflowing and scattering, and § 86-29(c) sets the curbside timing for recycling containers: no sooner than 24 hours before scheduled pickup and removed within 24 hours after the day of collection.
On the commercial side, a permitted hauler that collects recyclables must carry them to a processing center or market at its sole expense under § 86-73(c). The Board of Mayor and Aldermen can set garbage, trash service and landfill fees by resolution under § 86-6. The City of Kingsport keeps its own right, under § 86-94(d), to collect solid waste or recyclable material from any place of business or residence at any time without the hauler permit that private collectors need.
Violations & Fines
Section 86-34 prints no fine. The plastic-bag prohibition falls under the general penalty clause, § 1-14, which sets a penalty of not less than $10.00 or more than $50.00 where no specific penalty is provided, with each day a separate offense unless otherwise provided. Police officers can issue citations to city court under § 1-15. Because separation itself is only encouraged, the enforceable conduct is the bagging ban and the container and set-out rules in § 86-29.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in the City of Kingsport?
What materials does Kingsport list as recyclable?
Can I use plastic bags for recycling in Kingsport?
Can someone else take the recyclables I set out?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kingsport
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