On the day of the event, load the unwanted materials into your trunk or the back of your truck. For safety, don't mix materials, keep them in their original containers, double package any leaking containers, and place any breakable containers in a box cushioned with newspaper. When you get to the event, you will be surveyed to find out in what county you live and how many households you are bringing waste.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture runs an Agricultural Pesticide Waste Collection Program that will accept pesticides from farmers. Additionally, NO explosive, ordnance, ammunition, radioactives, or medical waste will be accepted. Smoke detectors are not accepted, but may be recycled elsewhere.
Items no longer accepted at the mobile HHW collections are alkaline batteries, paint, and electronics. Alkaline batteries sold after May 13, 1996, have no mercury added and may be discarded in the regular trash. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-Ion) and small sealed lead-acid (Pb) batteries may be recycled at local collection sites that partner with Call2Recycle. You may find a drop-off location near you by entering your ZIP code at www.call2recycle.org/locator.
Tennessee's Mobile Collection Service has been in operation since 1993. Since then, there have been over 1300 one-day collections. Over 358,000 Tennessee families have brought in over 23 million pounds of household hazardous waste for proper disposal. The program is funded by a $0.95 per ton surcharge on waste entering landfills.
Acceptable Items
Automotive and Marine Products
Fuel and oil additives
Grease and rust solvents, naval jelly
Carburetor and fuel injector cleaners
Starter fluids
Body putty
Antifreeze / coolant
Gasoline
Home Maintenance / Improvement Products
Used strippers and thinners
Adhesives
Driveway sealant
Roofing tar
Wallpaper remover
Home Lawn and Garden Products
Pesticides
Fertilizers
Wood preservatives
Miscellaneous
Pool chemicals
Photo processing chemicals
Medicines / drugs
Aerosols / compressed gas
Mercury thermostats and thermometers
Fluorescent tubes
Compact fluorescent bulbs
Needles and sharps (in a puncture-proof container)
Unacceptable Items
Medical / Biological
Infectious wastes
Dead animals
Any waste from a doctor's office, clinic, or veterinarian's office
Explosives / Ammunition
Fireworks
Military ordnance
Gun powder
Ammunition
Radioactive
Smoke detectors
Radium paint
Business / Institutional Waste
No businesses, large or small
No colleges or universities
No schools
No hospitals
No home improvement or painting contractors
No agribusiness
Miscellaneous
Empty containers of any kind
Automotive gas tanks
Alkaline batteries - may be thrown away in the trash
Electronics – contact your local Solid Waste Department for guidance
Paint – contact your local Solid Waste Department for guidance