Regional Compliance Hub: HazMat + Bulk Waste (Free Bulk Day: 1st Saturday) — City of Knoxville Solid Waste Facility (Elm Street) — Knoxville / Knox County, TN

This is Knoxville’s centralized Compliance Hub for apartment residents and property teams who need a legal, year-round drop-off for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and practical disposal options for bulk waste (furniture, tires, overflow trash) at the City’s transfer station.

Primary facility: City of Knoxville Solid Waste Facility — 1033 Elm Street, Knoxville, TN 37921 . [1]

Why This Works (Knoxville Apartment Reality: HazMat Is Not Dumpster-Friendly)

Hazardous waste cannot go in dumpsters. The City operates a dedicated HHW facility inside the Elm Street campus for common apartment problem-items like pesticides, oil-based paint products, and fluorescent bulbs. [2]

Glass is a separate stream. The City does not accept glass in curbside single-stream recycling; glass must be routed to the City’s staffed Recycling Drop-Off Centers. [3][4]

  • Main campus address: 1033 Elm Street, Knoxville, TN 37921[1]
  • HHW hours (inside the Solid Waste Facility): Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 7:00 AM–3:45 PM | Wed 7:00 AM–11:45 AM | Sat 8:00 AM–11:45 AM[2]
  • “Free for City Residents Day”: First Saturday of every month at the Transfer Station (unless a holiday; confirm on the City calendar before routing residents)[5]

Bulk Waste: “Free for City Residents Day” (1st Saturday) — Then Fees Apply

Free bulk drop-off day: On the first Saturday of each month, City of Knoxville residents can use the Transfer Station as a no-cost pathway for bulk and overflow material (think: old furniture, tires, and extra trash that can’t fit in apartment dumpsters). [5]

Standard days: Outside that “Free Day,” disposal at the Transfer Station follows the City’s posted fee structure. For load restrictions and official fee notices, use the Solid Waste Facility page as the source of truth. [1]

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Free Drop-Off for Common Apartment Chemicals

Designated HHW pathway: The City’s HHW facility is the correct route for household materials labeled toxic/corrosive/flammable and related hazards. Typical resident questions include pesticides, paint thinner, pool chemicals, and fluorescent bulbs. [2]

Latex paint warning (do not route to HHW): The HHW facility no longer accepts latex paint. Knoxville directs residents/property teams to solidify latex paint (e.g., with kitty litter or another absorbent) and dispose of it in regular trash only once fully dry. [2][6]

Electronics: Computers Accepted — Televisions Often Route as Fee-Based “Trash”

Computers & electronic scrap: City guidance indicates broken computers/electronics may be dropped off through the HHW facility pathway. [7]

Television warning: TVs are listed by the City as a common item not accepted as HHW and may need to be disposed of at the Solid Waste Facility for a fee. This is especially relevant for older CRT televisions, which are commonly treated as fee-based disposal. [2]

Crucial Warning: Glass Is Banned from Curbside & Apartment Recycling Carts

The rule: Knoxville stopped accepting glass in curbside single-stream recycling. Glass must be separated and delivered to a staffed drop-off site. [3]

Action for residents: Separate glass bottles/jars and take them to a City Recycling Drop-Off Center (glass is accepted at these centers; not at County convenience centers). [4]

  • South Knoxville Drop-Off Center: 225 W. Moody Ave[4]
  • North Knoxville Drop-Off Center: 5412 Pleasant Ridge Rd[4]
  • Other City Drop-Off Centers: East: 210 Alice St | West: 341 Parkvillage Rd[4]

How We Solve This For You (National Doorstep)

Compliance is operational. In Knoxville, we help property management keep banned items out of dumpsters by standardizing resident routines: HHW routed to the Elm Street HHW facility, glass routed to staffed drop-off centers (not carts), and bulk loads routed to the transfer station — including communication around the First-Saturday Free Day for City residents.

CTA: Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Knoxville Property

EEAT Sources: [1] City of Knoxville — Solid Waste Facility (address, campus overview, official notices)  |  [2] City of Knoxville — Household Hazardous Waste (hours, acceptable/unacceptable items incl. TVs; latex paint not accepted)  |  [3] City of Knoxville — Glass no longer accepted in curbside recycling (policy change & rationale)  |  [4] City of Knoxville — Recycling Drop-Off Centers (addresses; glass accepted at City centers)  |  [5] City of Knoxville Waste Not Blog — “Free for City Residents Day” on the first Saturday of each month  |  [6] City of Knoxville — How to Dispose of Latex Paint (dry/solidify; trash once fully dry)  |  [7] City of Knoxville hosted guidance — Computers/electronics drop-off via HHW facility pathway

 
National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Knoxville-area apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site property managers: even without a formal apartment recycling mandate, you are still on the hook for clean, code-compliant waste areas. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is built around City of Knoxville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 (Solid Waste), Knox County’s convenience center and hauling framework, and the Town of Farragut’s nuisance and property maintenance rules, helping you reduce enforcement risk while giving residents the doorstep convenience they expect.

Inside the City of Knoxville, the City offers free, opt-in curbside recycling to eligible parcels with four or fewer dwelling units on a property, and operates recycling drop-off centers and a Solid Waste Management Facility for specialty materials. Larger apartment communities are treated as commercial customers that contract directly with private haulers for trash and optional recycling service, and there is currently no city ordinance that requires apartment properties to provide recycling access to residents. In Knox County (including the Town of Farragut and unincorporated communities such as Powell, Halls, Karns, Corryton, Gibbs, and Hardin Valley), the County does not provide curbside pickup of any waste or recycling and there is likewise no county-wide apartment recycling mandate, but solid-waste, nuisance, and property maintenance codes still apply.

  • Stay Ahead of Enforcement: Knoxville, Knox County, and Farragut can all cite properties for illegal dumping, garbage accumulation, and nuisance conditions even in the absence of a recycling mandate.
  • Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to Knox County convenience centers, and supports renewals and online reputation.
  • Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, signage, and pick-up frequencies are designed around Chapter 13 solid-waste expectations, Knox County convenience center standards, and Farragut Chapter 14 nuisance and property maintenance rules.
  • Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing and operations while staying “inspection ready” across the Knoxville metro.

At a Glance: City of Knoxville vs. Knox County, Town of Farragut & Unincorporated Communities

City of Knoxville (Inside City Limits)

  • Mandate Type: No dedicated apartment recycling mandate. Recycling is offered as an optional service for eligible smaller residential parcels and via drop-off centers.
  • Applicability Threshold: The City’s free curbside recycling cart program is available to households on parcels with four or fewer units that sign up for service; larger multifamily communities arrange trash and any recycling via private haulers and are not required by ordinance to provide resident recycling service.
  • Property Manager Duties: Keep premises clean and sanitary, prevent accumulation of refuse, follow trash container rules, and avoid illegal dumping under Chapter 13 – Solid Waste. Maintain adequate trash capacity and clean, safe collection areas for residents.
  • Program Duties: If you provide recycling, ensure clear signage, resident education, and orderly container areas so inspectors can see that materials are managed properly, even though recycling is voluntary.
  • Key City Links & Citations:
    • City of Knoxville Code – Chapter 13: Solid Waste
    • City of Knoxville Recycling Program Overview
    • Curbside Recycling – Eligibility & Sign-Up
    • Recycling & Waste Disposal Guide – City of Knoxville & Knox County
    • Illegal Dumping – Penalties & Reporting

Knox County, Town of Farragut & Unincorporated Communities

Knox County Municipalities & Apartment Recycling Mandates

Within Knox County, only two incorporated municipalities exist – the City of Knoxville and the Town of Farragut. Neither has adopted a dedicated apartment recycling mandate that requires property managers to provide recycling service to residents. Unincorporated communities (Powell, Halls, Karns, Corryton, Gibbs, Hardin Valley, etc.) fall under Knox County Solid Waste and rely on convenience centers and private haulers.

City / Area Apartment Recycling Mandate? Notes for Owners & Property Managers
Knoxville (City) No dedicated apartment recycling mandate The City offers voluntary curbside recycling carts to eligible parcels with four or fewer units, plus City drop-off centers and a Solid Waste Management Facility. Larger apartment communities are treated as commercial customers and are not required by ordinance to provide recycling to residents. However, all properties must comply with Chapter 13 – Solid Waste (clean, sanitary premises, no illegal dumping, container rules).
Key local links:
• Knoxville Recycling – Program Overview
• Curbside Recycling – Eligibility & Sign-Up
• Knoxville Code – Chapter 13 Solid Waste
Farragut (Town) No dedicated apartment recycling mandate Farragut does not run municipal trash collection; residents and properties use Knox County convenience centers and private haulers for trash and optional recycling. There is no ordinance requiring apartment properties to provide recycling service. Accumulation of garbage, junk, or litter can be cited as a property maintenance violation under Chapter 14 – Nuisances & Property Maintenance, with potential fines through municipal court.
Key local links:
• Farragut Garbage & Recycling
• Farragut Property Maintenance – Code Enforcement
• Farragut Code of Ordinances
Unincorporated Knox County (Powell, Halls, Karns, Corryton, Gibbs, Hardin Valley & others) No dedicated apartment recycling mandate Knox County operates a network of convenience centers for residential trash and recycling drop-off and explicitly does not provide curbside pickup of any waste or recycling. Residents and apartment communities must hire private haulers; recycling service is optional and provided by contract. Properties are still expected to prevent illegal dumping and follow solid-waste and zoning rules, and may face enforcement for misuse of convenience centers or improper disposal.
Key local links:
• Knox County Solid Waste – Convenience Centers
• Knoxville/Knox County Recycling & Waste Disposal Guide
• Knox County Zoning Ordinance – Enforcement & Penalties

Knoxville Area Fines & Penalties Snapshot

  • City of Knoxville – Illegal Dumping & Solid Waste Violations: Under Chapter 13 – Solid Waste, it is unlawful to place garbage, brush, bulky trash, or other waste on property you do not own, and to allow accumulations of refuse outside approved containers. Violations can be cited and punished through City Court as ordinance offenses, with each day a violation continues potentially treated as a separate offense.
  • Farragut – Property Maintenance (Garbage & Litter): Farragut’s Chapter 14 – Nuisances & Property Maintenance treats accumulation of garbage, junk, or litter as a violation. If a responsible party does not correct the issue after notice, the Town may issue a citation to municipal court, where fines of up to $50 per day per violation may be assessed.
  • Knox County – Convenience Centers & Disposal Rules: County convenience centers are for residents bringing their own household waste and recycling. Improper use, illegal dumping, or violations of solid-waste and zoning rules can result in citations, loss of convenience center privileges, and additional penalties under the Tennessee Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Knox County Zoning Ordinance.
  • State-Level Framework: The Tennessee Solid Waste Disposal Act provides statewide authority for criminal and civil penalties for unlawful disposal and non-compliance with solid-waste regulations; local enforcement in Knoxville, Knox County, and Farragut operates within this framework.
  • Risk Management Tip for Property Managers: Even though there is no apartment recycling mandate, document your waste program – hauler contracts, service logs, photos of enclosures, and resident education – so you can quickly show code officials that your community is managing trash and recycling responsibly.

Knoxville & Knox County Multifamily Waste & Recycling Checklist

Task Action / Requirement Helpful Links
☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Service Area Verify whether your community is inside the City of Knoxville, in the Town of Farragut, or in unincorporated Knox County. This determines whether residents have access to City curbside recycling, Knox County convenience centers only, or purely private hauling, and which codes (Chapter 13 or Chapter 14) apply. Knoxville Service & Sort Tool · Knox County Solid Waste
☑ Right-Size Trash & Optional Recycling Ensure you have enough container capacity and pick-up frequency to prevent overflow and illegal dumping. If you add recycling for residents, match cart sizes and collection to volume so enclosures stay clean and inspections go smoothly. Knoxville/Knox County Waste Guide
☑ Meet City or Town Code Expectations In Knoxville, review Chapter 13 – Solid Waste and the City’s guidelines on carts, bulky items, and illegal dumping. In Farragut, review Chapter 14 – Nuisances & Property Maintenance and correct any accumulation of garbage, junk, or litter before it becomes a cited violation. Knoxville Chapter 13 · Farragut Code – Chapter 14
☑ Coordinate With Haulers & Residents Confirm service details with your trash and recycling haulers (container sizes, pick-up days, contamination procedures) and push out clear instructions to residents so they know exactly how to use the service from their front door to the enclosure or drop-off point. Knoxville Service Day & Disposal Info
☑ Document Your Program Keep a simple compliance file: hauler agreements, photos of enclosures, resident education pieces, and any code correspondence. This helps you answer complaints quickly and demonstrate good-faith effort if a code inspector or owner raises concerns. Illegal Dumping – Reporting & Enforcement

Want to stay ahead of code enforcement and resident expectations? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Knoxville or Knox County property. We’ll review your current trash and recycling setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with local solid-waste and property maintenance standards.

Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.

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