City guide · Tennessee
Memphis Trash Pickup Schedule
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Memphis runs a genuinely full curbside program - weekly garbage, weekly recycling, weekly yard waste, and a free twice-monthly bulk pickup called Outside-the-Cart, all built around a single weekly collection day per address.
Here's how that schedule works, what Outside-the-Cart actually covers, and how holidays shift the calendar.
How often is trash picked up in Memphis?
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste are all collected weekly, on the same day, for residential customers within Memphis city limits.
| Stream | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | Weekly | Address-based day |
| Recycling | Weekly | Same day as garbage |
| Yard waste | Weekly | Same day as garbage |
Find your exact pickup day
Your collection day is tied to your specific address:
Look up your Memphis collection day →
Download the free Memphis Curbside Collection app to track your weekly cart day, Outside-the-Cart weeks, and service notices.
Bin placement rules
- Set carts at the curb the night before or early on your collection day
- Keep garbage bagged and contained
- Yard waste beyond two bags needs to go out during your Outside-the-Cart week
Memphis Trash Holiday Schedule
There's no collection on days the City is closed for a holiday. That day's route is typically moved to the day before or the next available collection day, so check the city's holiday notices rather than assuming a fixed one-day shift.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Yes - route moved |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Yes - route moved |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | No change (falls on a non-collection day) |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Yes - route moved |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Yes - route moved |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Yes - route moved |
What goes in each stream
Garbage
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste
- Non-recyclable items
Keep out
- Recyclables
- Outside-the-Cart items (need their own week)
Recycling
WeeklyGoes in
- Paper, cardboard, glass
- Metal & plastic containers
Keep out
- Plastic bags & film
- Food-soiled items
Yard waste
WeeklyGoes in
- Grass clippings & leaves (up to 2 bags)
- Small branches
Keep out
- Dirt or rocks
- Trash or recyclables
The Outside-the-Cart program
Outside-the-Cart is Memphis's free bulk collection for items too big for your cart - furniture, mattresses, appliances, TVs, scrap metal, and tree limbs - along with yard debris beyond the regular 2-bag limit.
It runs on your regular collection day during weeks 1 and 3, or weeks 2 and 4 of the month, depending on your address. Your specific weeks are marked on the magnetic postcard calendar mailed to residents, or shown in the Memphis Curbside Collection app.
Reporting illegal dumping
Report illegal dumping to the 311 Call Center at 901-636-6500, through the Memphis Curbside Collection app, or at memphistn.gov - include the location, a description of what was dumped, and a photo if you have one. For ongoing blight concerns, the city's Blight department can be reached at 901-636-7464.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Memphis trash pickup schedule?
What is Memphis's Outside-the-Cart program?
Does a holiday delay trash pickup in Memphis?
How do I find my Outside-the-Cart weeks in Memphis?
How do I report illegal dumping in Memphis?
More Tennessee guides
Nashville, TN
Trash & recycling days
Knoxville, TN
Trash & recycling days
Chattanooga, TN
Trash & recycling days
Clarksville, TN
Trash & recycling days
City contact & resources
City of Memphis Solid Waste Management
Bookmark this Memphis trash pickup schedule and check back whenever a holiday shifts Memphis's collection calendar.
Need more than curbside pickup? Compare local bulk & junk removal quotes. Browse all Tennessee cities or the full state directory.