Chattanooga, TN trash pickup schedule

Chattanooga trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.

Population 194,144 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked October 30, 2026Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collects	The city collects City of Chattanooga Public Works, Solid Waste and Recycling, collects garbage (weekly), recycling (every other week), brush, bulk trash, bagged yard waste and leaves; garbage and recycling are included in property tax. Properties using dumpsters or private commercial waste service are ineligible. Curbside glass is a separate pilot run with Overlooked Materials in six neighborhood zones.¹
How often	Trash weekly, recycling every other week (biweekly); sign-up required; cart free, yard waste on the rotating area schedule: each area gets one collection week roughly every 4-5 weeks in the 2026 table²⁴⁵
Set out	at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on trash day; all trash bagged, lid closed, nothing on top or beside; within 2 ft of curb, wheels and handle toward the property, lid arrows to the street; 3 ft from mailboxes/trees/poles and 5 ft from parked cars; no alley or private-lot service²
Your pickup day	Zone map: experience.arcgis.com. App: CHATT311² · Look up your day here
Holidays	No further 2026 holidays are on the city’s list. See the 2026 table.

Bulk items: Set collection days (details). Drop-off sites: 5 listed (hours and fees).

Chattanooga holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s rule	Not published by the city (official page)
Official notice	chattanooga.gov¹⁷
Last published	collection scheduled for November 11th, 2025, will be collected as normal.²⁸ collection scheduled for Thursday, November 27th, 2025, will be collected on Saturday, November 29th.¹⁸ Garbage and recycle collection scheduled for Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th, 2025 will be collected on Saturday, December 27th, 2025.¹⁹

Chattanooga trash pickup on holidays, 2026
Holiday	Date	Pickup	What the city says
New Year's Day	Thu, Jan 1, 2026	No change	Garbage and recycling collected as normal; landfill, HHW, wood, refuse and recycle centers closed, reopening Jan 2.¹⁴
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Mon, Jan 19, 2026	No change	Collected as regularly scheduled; HHW, Wood Recycle Center, Refuse and Recycle Collection Centers and City Landfill closed Jan 19, reopening Jan 20.²²
Presidents' Day	Mon, Feb 16, 2026	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year
Good Friday	Fri, Apr 3, 2026	No change	City holiday (not federal). Collected as normal; landfill, HHW, Wood Recycle Center, Refuse and Recycle Centers closed Apr 3; Refuse and Recycle Centers also closed Easter Sunday Apr 5.²³
Memorial Day	Mon, May 25, 2026	No change	Collected as normal; Birchwood Landfill, Wood Recycle Center, Refuse Centers, HHW and Recycle Centers closed May 25, reopening May 26.²⁴
Juneteenth	Fri, Jun 19, 2026	No change	Collected as normal; landfill closed (reopens Mon June 22); HHW, wood, refuse and recycle centers closed (reopen Sat June 20).¹⁵
Independence Day (Fourth of July)	Fri, Jul 3, 2026	No change	Observed Friday July 3: collected as normal; landfill closed July 3 (reopens July 6); Wood Recycle Center and HHW closed July 3-4 (wood reopens July 6, HHW July 7); Refuse and Recycle Centers closed July 3-4 (reopen July 5).¹⁶
Labor Day	Mon, Sep 7, 2026	No change	Collected as normal; landfill, wood center, refuse centers, HHW and recycle centers closed Sept 7.¹⁷
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day	Mon, Oct 12, 2026	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year
Veterans Day	Wed, Nov 11, 2026	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year
Thanksgiving Day	Thu, Nov 26, 2026	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year
Christmas Day	Fri, Dec 25, 2026	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year

Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.

Sources: New Year Holiday Garbage and Recycle schedule (2025-12-26), Juneteenth Holiday Recycle and Garbage Schedule (2026-06-17), Waste Collection Schedule for July 4th (2026-07-01), Labor Day Holiday - Garbage/Recycle Collection and Site Sc…, Thanksgiving Garbage Pickup (2025-11-21), Christmas Garbage Collection Days (2025-12-18), Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 Solid Waste Collections & …, Good Friday garbage pickup (2026-03-31), Memorial Day Holiday Garbage / Recycle Collection and Site…, Veterans Day Garbage collection (2025-11-06) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Chattanooga

How it works	Set collection days⁵
How to request	No booking: the city publishes a 2026 rotating week-by-area table (Areas 1-4; e.g. Jan 5-9 Area 1, Jan 12-16 Area 2, Jan 19-23 Area 3, Jan 26-30 Area 4 ... Nov 2-6 Area 1, Nov 9-13 Area 2, Nov 16-20 Area 3, Nov 22-27 Area 4 (as printed), Dec 7-11 Area 1, Dec 14-18 Area 2, Dec 21-25 Area 3, Dec 28-Jan 1 Area 4). Weeks Mar 30-Apr 3, Jun 29-Jul 3, Aug 31-Sep 4 and Nov 30-Dec 4 have no area. Area 1 = Lookout Valley, St. Elmo (Alton Park); Area 2 = North Chattanooga & Hixson; Area 3 = Brainerd & East Chattanooga; Area 4 = East Brainerd & Highway 58 (July 2026 notice); exact boundaries on the map. Put bulk, brush, bagged yard waste and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7 a.m. Monday of your area's week; each street is serviced once per cycle; not for businesses, apartment complexes or landlords; you or a relative must live at the address.⁵²⁶
Limits	12 bulky-trash collections per property in any consecutive 12 months (same limit for brush)⁵
Fees	Not published by the city (official page)
Accepted	BBQ grills, mattresses, heavy appliances, furniture, carpet and padding, water heaters, large toys, TVs⁵
Not accepted	55-gal drums, liquids, hot materials, building materials, lumber, auto parts, household garbage, compressed gas/propane tanks, insulation, brick, concrete, railroad/cross ties, tires, cardboard boxes, recyclables, pallets, dirt, hazardous materials, tile, glass and mirrors, drywall⁵

Sources: Brush and Bulk Trash Collection, Delay in Brush and Bulk Trash (2026-07-27) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Recycling in Chattanooga

Pickup	every other week (biweekly); sign-up required; cart free⁴
Type	single-stream⁴
Glass	not accepted in the curbside recycling cart; drop-off at the city's recycle centers; separate curbside glass pilot (Overlooked Materials) in six neighborhood zones, renewed from July 1, 2026⁴¹¹
Plastics	#1 and #2 bottles, cups and containers only (no clamshells)⁴

Accepted

Flattened clean cardboard; clean paper containers and cups; newspapers/inserts, phone books, magazines, junk mail, office paper⁴
Clean food and beverage cartons (milk, juice, shelf-stable, soup, broth)⁴
Plastic bottles with necks; #1 and #2 cups and containers (clean, empty; no clamshells)⁴
Steel and aluminum cans/bottles (clean, empty; no aerosol cans)⁴

Not accepted

Glass, wood debris/tree limbs, clothes, food, large toys, plastic bags, yard waste, aerosol cans; no bagged recyclables⁴
Plastics #3-#7 (not accepted curbside or at recycling centers)¹¹

Programs

Curbside glass pilot with Overlooked Materials (zones within Belvoir, Brainerd, Brainerd Hills, Missionary Ridge, Ridgedale, Highland Park); renewed for a year from July 1, 2026⁶
Free food-scrap composting at NewTerra kiosks (incl. all five recycle centers); residents must register with NewTerra. The curbside compost pilot ended June 30, 2026.⁷²⁷

Sources: Recycle Collection, Curbside Glass Collection, Composting, Recycle Centers, Next steps for Glass Recycling and Composting Pilot Progra… Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickup	Yes⁵
Season	year-round on the rotating brush/bulk area schedule⁵
How often	on the rotating area schedule: each area gets one collection week roughly every 4-5 weeks in the 2026 table⁵
Rules	Brush: natural wood only, pieces max 8 ft long, 18 in diameter, piles max 4 ft high, one location, 5 ft from objects, not over meters/under wires; no treated wood, land clearing, contractors or businesses. Small amounts of bagged leaves/grass may go in the garbage container. Free self-haul to the Wood Recycling Center.⁵
Food scraps	No curbside food scraps; free NewTerra kiosk program (registration required)⁷
Christmas trees	2025-26 season (last published): live trees dropped off at any of the five Recycle Centers Dec 26, 2025 - Jan 31, 2026, or set at the curb during your scheduled brush/bulk collection week. 2026-27 not yet announced.²⁵
Leaf collection	2026-27 loose-leaf season starts Mon Nov 2, 2026: Phase 1 (Nov 2-early Dec) vacuum crews work individual 311 requests; Phase 2 (mid-Dec-Apr 2, 2027) four-zone citywide sweep. Pile leaves at the curb separate from bagged yard waste, brush and bulk; not in traffic lanes, hydrants or storm drains. Request via 311.²⁰

Sources: Brush and Bulk Trash Collection, Composting, Public Works Launches Litter Cleanup Initiative and Loose-…, Chattanooga Public Works Opens Live Christmas Trees Collec… Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

Refuse Collection Centers (3)

Type	Transfer station
Run by	The city
Address	4276 Airport Road; 4500 North Access Road; 1400 West 57th Street, Chattanooga · Map¹⁰
Hours	Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.; closed Mondays and listed holidays¹⁰
Fees	free for city residents (bulky items; up to 12 visits per calendar year, 8 bags per visit, standard pickup load)¹⁰
Who can use it	City of Chattanooga residents with driver's license showing city address and Hamilton County tags; no contractors, businesses or landlords¹⁰

Recycle Centers (5)

Type	Recycling center
Run by	The city
Address	5955 Brainerd Road; 1250 E. 3rd Street; 3189 Cummings Hwy; 8004 Batters Place Road; 4504 N. Access Road · Map¹¹
Hours	Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.; closed Mondays¹¹
Fees	free¹¹
Who can use it	Hamilton County residents¹¹
Accepts	Aluminum and steel cans, newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, #1-#2 plastic containers, glass, computer electronics, cooking oil (not at Batters Place Rd)¹¹

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

Type	Household hazardous waste
Run by	The city
Address	Not published by the city (official page)
Hours	Tue-Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m.⁸
Fees	free (landfill page: free to any Hamilton County resident)⁸
Who can use it	Tennessee residents with state-issued driver's license; max 15 gallons or 150 lb per household; no latex paint, no commercial waste⁸

Wood Recycling Center

Type	Compost / yard waste site
Run by	The city
Address	4063 North Hawthorne Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 · Map¹²
Hours	Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-3:50 p.m. (last vehicle 3:50 p.m.)¹²
Fees	free for city residents (pickup or single-axle trailer); $20/ton non-residents, businesses, contractors; free mulch for city residents¹²
Who can use it	City residents free¹²
Not accepted	treated lumber, pallets, glued/painted wood, root balls and stumps, wood with nails, dirt/rocks, plywood, trash, railroad ties, material over 10 ft long or 5 ft diameter

City Landfill (Birchwood)

Type	Landfill
Run by	The city
Address	9327 Birchwood Pike, Harrison, TN · Map⁹
Hours	Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3 p.m.⁹
Fees	free for city residents' household garbage (pickup truck max); garbage otherwise $40/ton, $30.50 minimum; special waste (permit) $40/ton, $95 minimum; non-residents $2/bag up to 15 bags, then tipping fees; checks, credit card, money order only (no cash)⁹
Who can use it	City residents with license/utility bill for free household garbage; no C&D or bulky items from residents⁹

Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.

Sources: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, City Landfill, Refuse Collection Centers, Recycle Centers, Wood Recycling Center Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup form	Report Missed Garbage (CHA 311 Service Center link on the garbage page); container must stay at the curb; usually serviced within 1-2 business days²
Phone	(423) 643-6311 (Solid Waste and Recycling; Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m.)²
311	Chatt311: call 311 or (423) 643-6311, email [email protected], online request or CHATT311 app³
Official website	chattanooga.gov¹

Sources: Waste & Recycling Services, Garbage Collection, Garbage & Recycling Container Payments Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Nearby cities

All Tennessee cities: Tennessee trash pickup schedules.

Chattanooga trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Chattanooga?

Trash is collected weekly. Chattanooga does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s zone map (experience.arcgis.com) or the CHATT311 app.

Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Chattanooga?

New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. No change: Garbage and recycling collected as normal; landfill, HHW, wood, refuse and recycle centers closed, reopening Jan 2.

How do I get rid of bulky items in Chattanooga?

Set collection days. No booking: the city publishes a 2026 rotating week-by-area table (Areas 1-4; e.g. Jan 5-9 Area 1, Jan 12-16 Area 2, Jan 19-23 Area 3, Jan 26-30 Area 4 .. Nov 2-6 Area 1, Nov 9-13 Area 2, Nov 16-20 Area 3, Nov 22-27 Area 4 (as printed), Dec 7-11 Area 1, Dec 14-18 Area 2, Dec 21-25 Area 3, Dec 28-Jan 1 Area 4). Weeks Mar 30-Apr 3, Jun 29-Jul 3, Aug 31-Sep 4 and Nov 30-Dec 4 have no area. Area 1 = Lookout Valley, St. Elmo (Alton Park); Area 2 = North Chattanooga & Hixson; Area 3 = Brainerd & East Chattanooga; Area 4 = East Brainerd & Highway 58 (July 2026 notice); exact boundaries on the map. Put bulk, brush, bagged yard waste and leaves in separate piles at the curb by 7 a.m. Monday of your area's week; each street is serviced once per cycle; not for businesses, apartment complexes or landlords; you or a relative must live at the address.

Does Chattanooga recycle glass?

Glass: not accepted in the curbside recycling cart; drop-off at the city's recycle centers; separate curbside glass pilot (Overlooked Materials) in six neighborhood zones, renewed from July 1, 2026.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Chattanooga?

Use the city’s online form (Report Missed Garbage (CHA 311 Service Center link on the garbage page); container must stay at the curb; usually serviced within 1-2 business days) or call (423) 643-6311 (Solid Waste and Recycling; Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Sources

1
Waste & Recycling ServicesCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
2
Garbage CollectionCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
3
Garbage & Recycling Container PaymentsCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
4
Recycle CollectionCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
5
Brush and Bulk Trash CollectionCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
6
Curbside Glass CollectionCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
7
CompostingCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
8
Household Hazardous Waste Collection FacilityCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
9
City LandfillCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
10
Refuse Collection CentersCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
11
Recycle CentersCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
12
Wood Recycling CenterCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
13
Loose Leaves CollectionCity · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
14
New Year Holiday Garbage and Recycle schedule (2025-12-26)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
15
Juneteenth Holiday Recycle and Garbage Schedule (2026-06-17)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
16
Waste Collection Schedule for July 4th (2026-07-01)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
17
Labor Day Holiday - Garbage/Recycle Collection and Site Schedule (2026-09-04)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
18
Thanksgiving Garbage Pickup (2025-11-21)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
19
Christmas Garbage Collection Days (2025-12-18)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
20
Public Works Launches Litter Cleanup Initiative and Loose-Leaf Collection on November 2nd (2026-10-28)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
21
Update For Brush Collection Delays and Service Delivery (2026-08-14)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
22
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 Solid Waste Collections & Site Schedule (2026-01-15)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
23
Good Friday garbage pickup (2026-03-31)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
24
Memorial Day Holiday Garbage / Recycle Collection and Site Schedule (2026-05-18)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
25
Chattanooga Public Works Opens Live Christmas Trees Collection (2025-12-26)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
26
Delay in Brush and Bulk Trash (2026-07-27)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
27
Next steps for Glass Recycling and Composting Pilot Programs (2026-06-16)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
28
Veterans Day Garbage collection (2025-11-06)City · chattanooga.gov · checked October 30, 2026
29
City of Chattanooga GIS: Garbage Service Areas / Recycle Service Areas / Brush-Bulk-Leaf Collection Areas layersCity · services2.arcgis.com · checked October 30, 2026

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Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.