Memphis Garbage Collection Schedule & Bylaws

Public Health and Welfare Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee residents rely on the City of Memphis Solid Waste Services for curbside garbage, recycling, and bulk collection. This guide explains how to find your collection day, what the city requires for setouts, and how violations are enforced so you can avoid missed pickups and fines. It summarizes official City of Memphis resources, notes where specific penalties are or are not published, and gives clear action steps for reporting missed service or illegal dumping.

Collection schedule and how to find your day

The City of Memphis publishes residential garbage, recycling, and bulk/brush collection information through Public Works - Solid Waste Services; use the city’s lookup tools or service pages to confirm your neighborhood schedule and holiday adjustments[1].

Check the official Solid Waste page before holidays to confirm adjusted pickup days.

Typical guidance from the city includes setout times, acceptable container types, and preparation for bulk or brush collection. For brush and bulk items there are usually separate pickup weeks or requirements posted on the city site[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is handled by City of Memphis departments responsible for Solid Waste Services and Code Enforcement. Specific monetary fines, escalation amounts, and detailed penalty schedules for residential curbside collection are not specified on the cited city service pages; see the Solid Waste Services and related Code Enforcement pages for department contacts and complaint procedures[1].

  • Enforcer: City of Memphis Solid Waste Services and Code Enforcement divisions are the primary enforcers for collection rules.
  • Inspection & complaints: report missed service, illegal dumping, or chronic setout violations via official contact pages or 311 as directed by the city.
  • Fines: specific fine amounts for residential collection violations are not specified on the cited service pages.
  • Appeals & review: the city’s enforcement pages describe complaint intake; formal appeal routes or time limits are not published on the cited Solid Waste Services pages.
  • Defences & discretion: the city may consider reasonable excuses, permits, or scheduling conflicts; explicit variances or defense rules are not specified on the cited pages.
If you receive a notice, contact the department listed on the notice promptly to learn appeal deadlines.

Applications & Forms

The Solid Waste Services pages provide service descriptions and request/report forms where applicable; however, for standard residential curbside collection there is no separate permit form required on the published pages, and no unique application number is listed for routine collection changes or complaints[1].

Most service issues are handled by phone or online report rather than by a formal permit application.

Common violations and typical responses

  • Improper setout (wrong container or time): usually a warning or notice; exact penalty not specified on the city page.
  • Illegal dumping: investigated by Code Enforcement with potential removal orders; specific fines not specified on the service page.
  • Blocked collection (e.g., vehicles obstructing access): may result in a missed pickup and advisory notice; enforcement amounts not listed.

FAQ

How do I find my garbage pickup day?
Use the City of Memphis Solid Waste Services lookup tools or the neighborhood schedule on the city website to confirm your weekly pickup day and any holiday changes.[1]
What do I do if my trash was not collected?
Report missed collection through the City of Memphis reporting system or contact Solid Waste Services directly; include your address, collection day, and details about the missed service.
Are there fees for bulk or brush pickups?
Bulk and brush collection rules are posted by the city; any fees or restrictions for specific services are listed on the brush and bulk collection page when applicable[2].

How-To

  1. Find your address on the City of Memphis Solid Waste Services schedule page and note your regular pickup day and any holiday exceptions.
  2. Prepare bins the night before using approved containers and place them at the curb by the required setout time.
  3. If collection is missed, report it via the city reporting tool or contact Solid Waste Services with your address and details.
  4. For bulky items or brush, follow the city’s specific preparation and scheduling instructions on the brush and bulk page.

Key Takeaways

  • Always confirm your weekly pickup day and holiday schedule on the official Solid Waste Services page.
  • Report missed pickups promptly to the city to start an investigation or arrange a follow-up collection.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Memphis - Solid Waste Services
  2. [2] City of Memphis - Brush and Bulk Collection

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