Knox County Solid Waste operates 7 County Convenience Centers where residents may dispose of bulky do-it-yourself construction and demolition waste (sometimes called C&D waste). At Convenience Centers bulky wastes are collected separately from household trash in heavier duty brown compactors and are disposed of at construction and demolition landfills. Residents unsure about what is accepted, why, and in what quantity should call the department directly at 865-215-5865. Center operators will turn away users that bring non-acceptable materials and loads that are larger than our daily limit.

Accepted the one 5’ x 8’ pickup truck or equivalent load per day:

• Box springs
• Carpet pieces (cut into small pieces)
• Couches
• Doors
• Drywall
• Furniture
• Glass pieces/sheets (be very careful, can break and cut, WEAR GLOVES)
• Insulation (best bagged for easy disposal)
• Mattresses
• Mirrors (be very careful, can break and cut, WEAR GLOVES)
• Plaster (best bagged for easy disposal)
• Sinks (be very careful, can break and cut, WEAR GLOVES)
• Sheetrock
• Tables
• Tile (best bagged for easy disposal)
• Toilets (be very careful, can break and cut, WEAR GLOVES)
• Windows (be very careful, can break and cut, WEAR GLOVES)
• Other non-hazardous materials (check below for what is not accepted)

NOT Accepted:

• Any material from businesses, contractors, or commercial waste generators (explained separately below)
• Any loads larger than one 5’ x 8’ pickup truck or equivalent load per day. (over our daily limit)
• Block (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Brick (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Dirt (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Gravel (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Greenwaste (must go to greenwaste facilities)
• Large boards or pieces of material longer than 5 feet (pieces must fit entirely in compactor, damages compactors)
• Railroad ties (damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Sand (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Shingles (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Stone (too heavy for transport, damages compactors, take too long to unload)
• Waste from  outside of Knox County (have KNOX license plate OR proof of residency).

No Businesses, Contractors, or Commercial Waste Generators

Knox County Convenience Centers are not permitted to accept and dispose of commercial solid waste. Trash and wastes are characterized based on origin and whether it was generated from commercial, business, or institutional sources. Waste coming from commercial generators (businesses, non-profits, churches, institutions, and rental properties) is legally defined as a commercial solid waste. Commercial solid waste is deemed potentially hazardous and must be disposed of at paid facilities according to commercial waste rules with the associated disposal charges at paid disposal facilities.

Users Over the Limit or with Non-Accepted Materials

Anyone with more than one truckload per day limit or with materials that are not accepted will be sent to paid disposal facilities. For most residents The City of Knoxville Transfer Station is the best paid facility because they accept large commercial loads while also allowing users to throw material out on the ground and drive away. Fees apply but the facility charges based on the weight being disposed rather than charging large minimum fees. For more information on hours of operation, fees and restrictions the Transfer Station can be contacted directly at 865-215-6710. The Transfer Station does not accept heavier items like block, brick, dirt, gravel, sand, and stone. If the transfer station does not accept a type or quantity of material then commercial solid waste companies and local landfills  can advise of the best disposal option and likely fees.

Illegal Dumping

Violations of Convenience Center policies is illegal dumping and is punishable by $1,000 fine. Centers are monitored by video. 

More Information

For more specific inquiries or clarification residents should refer to the FAQ page or contact the Knox County Solid Waste Offices.