Knox County residents who need a dump near Knoxville have seven county convenience centers to choose from. They are free, funded by county property taxes, and take household trash, bulky items, small DIY demolition loads and a wide range of recycling. They are for residents only, though, and they are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Last checked 2026-10-03 against Knox County Solid Waste's convenience centers page and frequently asked questions. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm before you go.
See Knox County convenience centers and nearby drop-offs on the map
Knox County convenience centers at a glance
| Operator | Knox County Engineering and Public Works, Solid Waste |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Closed | Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays |
| Cost | Free for Knox County residents |
| Trash limit | One 5x8 pickup or trailer load, level with the bed, per household per day |
| Solid Waste Office | 865-215-JUNK (5865) |
Hours
The centers are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed every Wednesday and Sunday and on holidays.
Gates close right at the posted time. A center can also close early for bad weather, a power outage or full containers that cannot be swapped out in time.
The seven locations
- Carter, 8815 Asheville Highway
- Dutchtown, 10618 Dutchtown Road, in west Knox County
- Halls, 3608 Neal Drive
- John Sevier, 1950 W. Governor John Sevier Highway, in South Knox County
- Karns, 6930 Karns Crossing Lane
- Powell, 7311 Morton View Lane
- Tazewell Pike / Gibbs, 7201 Tazewell Pike
Cost, residency and limits
There is no fee. Because the centers are tax-funded, they serve Knox County residents bringing their own household waste, and operators can check license plates for residency.
Businesses and nonprofits, landlords hauling from rental properties and contractors bringing waste from paid jobs are sent to facilities that charge.
Trash is limited to one standard 5-by-8-foot pickup or trailer load, level with the bed, per household per day. Overfilled loads and oversized trailers get sent away. Recycling has no hard cap, but the county asks you to keep used oil or coolant to 20 gallons a visit and suggests coming Tuesday through Thursday with big recycling loads.
What the centers take
- Household trash
- Bulky items such as furniture and water heaters
- Small DIY demolition debris from home projects, within the daily limit
- Mixed paper and cardboard
- Metal and plastic food and beverage containers
- Scrap metal
- Used oil, other auto fluids and old car batteries
- Up to 4 car or light-truck tires per household per year, with or without rims
- TVs, if you can lift them into the blue trash compactor
- Electronics for recycling through the Goodwill attended donation centers at Dutchtown, Halls, John Sevier and Karns
What they do not take
- Refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners, working or not (take them to the HHW facility)
- Liquid paint, latex or oil-based
- Roofing shingles (except one bag's worth from something like a doghouse roof)
- Block, brick, gravel and sand
- Large truck tires
- Electronics containing hazardous chemicals, such as dehumidifiers and lab equipment
- Commercial waste of any kind
Taking items out of the bins or scrap pile is also against state law at the centers.
Household hazardous waste
Paint, solvents, mercury devices and appliances that held refrigerant go to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1033 Elm Street, which the City of Knoxville runs. It has its own hours and holidays, so call 865-215-6710 before you go.
Directions
Carter · Dutchtown · Halls · John Sevier · Karns · Powell · Tazewell Pike
Knox County sites on our map
Our listings include Carter, Dutchtown, Halls and John Sevier, plus the City of Knoxville Recycling Drop-Off Center and the McMillan Landfill. Browse all of Knox County.
Knox County dump FAQ
Where are the Knox County dump locations?
Knox County has seven convenience centers: Carter, Dutchtown, Halls, John Sevier, Karns, Powell and Tazewell Pike/Gibbs.
Are Knox County convenience centers open on Wednesday?
No. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays.
Is it free to use the Knox County dump?
Yes, for Knox County residents bringing their own household waste. Businesses, landlords and contractors must use paid facilities.
Can I take a refrigerator to a Knox County convenience center?
No. Refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners must go to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1033 Elm Street.
How many tires can I take to a Knox County convenience center?
Up to 4 car or light-truck tires per household per year. Large truck tires are not accepted.
Before you go
Hours, fees and rules change. We last checked this page on 2026-10-03. Our sources: Knox County convenience centers, Knox County Solid Waste FAQs. Call the Solid Waste Office at 865-215-5865 with questions.
Hauling it yourself? If the load won’t fit in the truck bed, a 6×10 ft open-rail utility trailer or a 4×8 ft folding trailer (it folds upright to store in a garage) can cost less than a couple of hauler trips. Tie everything down with ratchet tie-down straps; many sites charge extra for loose or uncovered loads.
Guides and tools
Carter Convenience Center listing · Knox County, TN dumps & drop-offs · Dump cost calculator · All material guides
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