Drop-Off Centers

Waste and Resources Manager

Patience Melnik
pmelnik@knoxvilletn.gov
(865) 215-4311

400 Main St.
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Makenzie Read
Waste and Resources Coordinator
mread@knoxvilletn.gov
865-215-2817


City Recycling CenterCITY RECYCLING CENTERS NOTE:  One of these sites, the Solid Waste Management Facility, 1033 Elm St., has limited hours of operation and only recycles specialty items.  It is not a full recycling center.

County Recycling CenterCOUNTY RECYCLING CENTERS

 UT CAMPUS RECYCLING CENTERUT CAMPUS RECYCLING CENTER

NOTICE: Glass is only accepted for recycling at City drop-off centers shown in green on the map. County and UT drop-off centers do not currently have glass recycling.


[Click Here to View Larger Detailed Map on Google]

CITY DROP-OFF CENTERS COLLECT: Plastic Recycling Number
  • Plastics: containers #1-7 (#6 Styrofoam not accepted), cups, bottles, milk/juice/detergent jugs, & caps (NO plastic bags)
  • Metals: aluminum, steel & tin cans
  • Mixed Paper - any type of material that is 100 percent paper including phone books, catalogs, magazines, white and colored ledger paper, white and colored note pad paper and stationary, copy paper, NRC forms, sticky notes, envelopes with or without plastic windows, fax paper, manila folders, hanging folders (remove metal bands), paperboard such as toilet paper/paper towel tubes, cereal boxes, tissue boxes, shredded paper (enclosed in paper bags), and paper bags.
    • Not necessary to remove labels, staples, tape, or the plastic windows from envelopes
  • Clear Glass
  • Brown Glass 
  • Green Glass 
  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper (including inserts) 
  • Reusable Household Goods  
    • Can only be donated when Goodwill attendant is on site
Please rinse out all containers. NO plastic bags- all recyclables should be loose in the bins- not bagged.

NOT RECYCLABLE:
  •  Plastic bags and other plastic films
    • Please consider taking empty plastic bags back to a local grocery or hardware store for recycling. We highly recommend using reusable bags.
  • Batteries
    • Lead Acid, lithium, and rechargeable (no alkaline) batteries may be brought to the Solid Waste Management Facility for recycling
    • Please also see battery recycling options at both the County and UT recycling drop-off centers- links above. 
  • Styrofoam
  • Aluminum foil/foil pans or pie plates
  • Bags/wrappers with silver inner linings (chips, candy, etc.)
  • Aerosol cans/paint cans
  • Pet food bags
  • Cords & garden hoses
  • Light bulbs/holiday lights
  • Waxy coated containers (milk/juice/ice cream cartons) 
  • Window glass, broken windshields
  • Any type of porcelain or pottery material such as plates or pots.
  • Plastic containers that hold hazardous waste such as pesticides/herbicides, motor oil and antifreeze bottles
  • Carbon paper (receipts, etc.)
  • Scrap metal (lawn mower blades, brake drums, etc)
    • Please consider bringing to a local scrap metal recycler
  • No Medical Waste. Insulin Sharps or Sharps containers are NOT accepted either inside plastic bottles or by themselves. These items can be disposed of in your household trash inside plastic bottles or through a proper disposal management company. 

LOCATIONS OF CITY DROP-OFF CENTERS

NORTH: Behind shopping center at I-640 Plaza - 4440 Western Avenue
SOUTH: Goodwill at W. Moody Ave. - 225 W. Moody Ave.
EAST: Goodwill at Chilhowee Park - 210 Alice St.
WEST: Goodwill at Cedar Bluff - 341 Parkvillage Rd.
DOWNTOWN: Downtown Recycling Center - 227 Willow Ave.