Memphis Recycling Rules - Accepted Materials

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

Memphis, Tennessee residents must follow local recycling rules to ensure curbside collection and avoid service interruptions. This guide summarizes accepted materials, container and set-out requirements, contamination rules, and how enforcement works under the City of Memphis solid waste program. For official program details and local collection notices, consult the City of Memphis Solid Waste information page [1].

Accepted Materials & Set-Out Rules

Accepted curbside materials commonly include mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic bottles and containers labeled PET or HDPE, and glass bottles and jars. Rules and local variations may apply; check your schedule and any special-event or holiday advisories.

  • Paper and cardboard: flattened, dry, free of food residue.
  • Plastic bottles and containers: rinse and caps removed unless otherwise instructed.
  • Aluminum and steel cans: rinsed and empty.
  • Glass bottles and jars: rinsed and lids removed.
  • Do not place plastic bags, film, hoses, electronics, batteries, needles, or bulky waste in the recycling bin unless a special collection is announced.
Separate loose paper and flatten boxes; do not bag recyclables.

Collection Schedule & Preparation

Set recyclables at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and remove containers the same day after pickup. Use the designated curbside bin or cart provided; if you do not have a cart contact the city for options.

  • Place carts at the curb with wheels against the curb and lids closed.
  • Materials must be loose in the cart; bagged recyclables are typically rejected.
  • Contaminated loads (food soiled, loose trash mixed in) may be left and marked as contaminated.
If your recycling is not collected, report a missed pickup promptly to secure a return collection.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of recycling and solid waste rules is carried out by the City of Memphis Division of Public Works and related enforcement offices; the municipal code and program pages describe responsibilities and compliance expectations. Specific monetary fines for recycling violations are not specified on the cited pages [2].

  • Fines: not specified on the cited pages; consult the municipal code or contact the enforcement office for current penalty figures.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures are not detailed on the cited program pages and must be confirmed with the enforcing department.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to correct set-out or remove prohibited materials, refusal of collection, abatement actions, and referral to court are enforcement tools commonly used where authorized.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: report collection problems or illegal dumping via the City of Memphis 311 or the Public Works complaint portal [3].
  • Appeals and reviews: specific appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited program pages; inquire with the Division of Public Works for appeal procedures.
Keep records and photos of set-out and missed collection for appeals or disputes.

Applications & Forms

No specific recycling permit form is published on the cited program pages; container requests, service starts/stops, and special collection requests are usually handled through the city's online service request or 311 system. For business or special-event recycling services, contact the Division of Public Works or check the municipal code for any required commercial permits.

FAQ

What materials are always accepted in curbside recycling?
Paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles labeled PET or HDPE, and glass bottles and jars are commonly accepted; always confirm with your local schedule.
Can I put plastic bags in the recycling cart?
No. Plastic bags and film are usually excluded because they tangle sorting equipment; take plastic bags to store collection points where available.
What should I do if my recycling was not collected?
Report a missed pickup to Memphis 311 or your city's solid waste customer service and provide photos of the set-out.

How-To

  1. Rinse containers and remove lids; collapse boxes to save space.
  2. Place recyclables loose in the provided curbside cart; do not bag recyclables.
  3. Set the cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day with the wheels facing the house.
  4. If collection is missed, document and report via Memphis 311 or the city's online service request.

Key Takeaways

  • Sort, rinse, and avoid bagging recyclables to prevent contamination.
  • Follow set-out times and use the provided cart for reliable pickup.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Memphis Solid Waste - Official program page
  2. [2] Memphis Code of Ordinances
  3. [3] Memphis 311 - Report a problem or request service

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data