Solid Waste Department

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bulk pickup?

Please call the Solid Waste Department at 893-3681 to schedule a bulk pick up and hear which materials the city will collect.

Who do I call for cart repairs?

Call the Solid Waste Department at 893-3681 for repair of your city-provided trash cart.

Where can I place my limbs and brush?

Place limbs and brush that are 8 inches in diameter or less and limbs less than 10 feet in length at the curb. Do not place them in the street. And please don’t place them behind any object or underneath power lines and trees. Give the collection boom room to operate effectively.

How is brush pickup scheduled?

The Solid Waste Department operates street-to-street collection throughout the entire city approximately every seven days unless there is a storm or holiday.

Do I have to remove my cart from the street after the day of collection?

Yes, each resident is required by City ordinance to remove the cart from the street after the day of service.

What time should I place my cart out at the street?

Most residents place the cart out at the street the night before their collection day. However, on your collection day, it must be out by 7 a. m.

How far should my cart be from an object?

Place your cart three feet away from any object. Do not place the cart behind a car. Do not place two carts together. They must be placed three feet apart to give the automated arm room to operate.

How do I place my cart at the street?

Place the cart at the street with the handles and wheels facing the house. The serial number and metal bar should be facing the street. Placing your cart correctly reduces the chance of cart damage or refuse spilling into the street due to improper placement.

Do I own the cart that is provided to my home?

No, the city provides one cart and serial number to each address regardless of who lives there. Should the current resident move, the cart stays with that address.

Do I receive a bill for garbage collection?

No, your garbage service is included with your city property tax bill.

I generate more garbage that will fit in my cart, what can I do?

If the overage is only an occasional problem, the City of Murfreesboro has a convenience center, open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 648 West Main St., that accepts a wide variety of types of trash. Also, residents may purchase an additional cart at cost from the Solid Waste Department. That cart then belongs to the resident. There are several recycling centers located around the city and at strategic locations throughout Rutherford County. Call the Solid Waste Department at 893-3681 if you have questions.

If a lawn or tree service cuts and trims my yard, is the Solid Waste Department responsible for removing this material?

No, whichever company serviced your lawn is responsible for removing the excess material.

Where can I find information about holiday schedules for garbage collection?

Call the Solid Waste Department at 893-3681 for additional information or check here to find the department’s holiday schedule. Remember the Solid Waste Department continues its regular pickups the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

What holidays does the Solid Waste Department observe?

New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

If a holiday falls on a Sunday or a Monday how does that affect my garbage day on Tuesday?

If a holiday falls on a Sunday or Monday, garbage collection for Monday and Tuesday moves back one day. Monday’s garbage is collected on Tuesday and Tuesday’s garbage is collected on Wednesday. Thursday’s and Friday’s garbage collections follow a normal schedule.

If a holiday falls on a Thursday how does it affect my garbage day on Thursday?

In that case, Thursday’s garbage is collected the day before on Wednesday. You must remember to place your cart out on Tuesday night or by 7 the next morning. Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Friday’s garbage collection days follow their normal schedule.

If a holiday falls on a Friday, how does that affect my garbage collection if that is my regular day?

If holiday falls on a Friday, Thursday’s and Friday’s collections move back one day. Said another way, Thursday’s collection moves back to Wednesday and Friday’s moves back to Thursday.

Welcome!
from Joey Smith, Director

The Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department is responsible for your garbage and yard waste collection. Together, we work hard to help make your neighborhood look as pleasing as possible. We'll provide residents with a free 96-gallon garbage cart and we will empty it once per week along with a second if you purchase it from the city by calling 893-3681. Additionally, we collect your limbs and brush in a timely fashion. We're also able to divert a tremendous volume from going to the landfill by mulching your yard waste. This mulch is available to you free of charge at the city's mulch site on Florence Road.

On behalf of all of our employees, we want you to enjoy living in our city.