Recycle Center Operations Update 7/12/2023
Due to staff shortages, the City of Athens Recycle Center hours of operation will be temporarily changed. Beginning Monday, July 17, 2023 the hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Unit located at the Recycle Center will be closed until further notice.
Recycle Center
118 Rocky Mount Road
Athens, TN 37303
HOURS OF OPERATION:
- Monday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Tuesday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Thursday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Here is a handy How-To-Guide to help you sort and plan your trip to the Recycling Center.
Accepted Items for Recycling
- Aluminum Cans
- Antifreeze (2 gal per week)*
- Automotive Batteries
- Cardboard
- Catalogs
- Cooking Oil
- Electronics**
- Glass
- Glossy Advertisements
- Magazines
- Mixed Paper
- Motor Oil
- Newsprint
- Oil Filters
- Plastic Types 1 & 2 and Steel & Tin Cans
No Shopping or Garbage Bags Accepted
*Antifreeze must be poured into the 55-gallon drum marked "ANTIFREEZE ONLY".
**We can no longer accept CRT televisions or computer monitors for recycling in the electronics bin at the Recycle Center. However, these items no greater than 26" diagonal are accepted in a separate storage area at the recycling center, please see attendant for assistance.
Household Hazardous Waste
Things to Remember
- The Household Hazardous Waste Container is for use by households only. Please NO hazardous waste from Businesses, Churches, Contractors, Dental or Doctors Offices, Hospitals or Schools.
- Attendant MUST be present to drop off ANY item.
- Ask Attendant for other recycling resources if you have an item that is not included on the Accepted Items list.
- Containers must be free of leaks and approved by the Attendant.
- Containers will not be returned.
Accepted Items for Hazardous Waste
- Automotive Products
- Automotive Cleaners
- Battery Acid
- Body Putty
- Brake Cleaner
- Carburetor & Fuel Injector Cleaners
- Diesel Fuel
- Fuel & Oil Additives
- Gasoline
- Grease & Rust Solvents
- Kerosene and Starter Fluid
- Home Maintenance
- Acetone
- Adhesives
- Aerosols
- Driveway Sealant
- Fluorescent Bulbs
- Lamp Oil
- Muriatic Acid
- Paint Strippers & Thinners
- Pool & Spa Chemicals
- Preservatives
- Propane Compressed Gas
- Rat/Mouse Poison
- Spray Paint
- Stump Remover
- Toluene
- Household Cleaners
- Bleach
- Disinfectants
- Drain Openers
- Oven Cleaners
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Wood/Metal Polish
- Lawn & Garden
- Bug Repellent
- Fertilizers
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Pesticides
- Plant Food
- Weed & Feed
- Medical Sharps & Lancets
- Mercury Thermometers
- Sharps must be in a sturdy container - Labeled with "{Container Contents}" and "DO NOT RECYCLE"
- Personal Care Products
- Lipstick
- Lotion
- Nail Polish and Nail Polish Removers
Prohibited Items for Hazardous Waste:
- Ammunition / Explosives
- Ammunition
- Fireworks
- Gun Powder
- Military Ordinance
- Medical Waste
- Dead Animals - contact local Sanitation or Solid Waste Department
- Drugs/Medicines - use containers at law enforcement offices and some pharmacies
- Infectious Waste of any kind
- Miscellaneous
- Any Item NOT in approved container
- Automotive Gas Tanks
- Empty Containers or Aerosols - discard with regular trash
- Latex or Water based paint - harden the paint and discard in regular trash
- Radioactive
- Radium Paint and Smoke Detectors
Keep McMinn Beautiful
Visit Keep McMinn Beautiful for more information on recycling and what you can do to help our community stay clean.
