Knoxville Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Knox County solid waste facilities charge $70⁠–⁠$80/ton for municipal solid waste, significantly above the SE regional average of $56.27/ton. Higher fees make aggressive sorting critical for margin protection. Minimum loads typically $25⁠–⁠$35. Scale houses weigh inbound and outbound, charging on net weight. Operators report actual costs ranging $72⁠–⁠$78/ton at the main landfill depending on material density and contamination levels.

• Call Knox County Solid Waste at (865) 215-2000 for current commercial rates and account setup
• Above SE average — every pound of diversion saves $0.035⁠–⁠$0.040 vs disposal
• Target 25⁠–⁠30% diversion rate to offset higher disposal costs with donations and recycling
• Heavy loads (appliances, furniture) hit higher per-ton costs — separate when possible
• Clean loads process faster and avoid contamination surcharges

Construction and demolition debris accepted at Knox County facilities at $65⁠–⁠$75/ton, slightly lower than MSW rates. Clean concrete, asphalt, and brick qualify for reduced rates at private processors ($35⁠–⁠$45/ton). Mixed C&D with contamination (drywall with nails, painted wood) pays full rates. Operators save $20⁠–⁠$30/ton routing clean materials to specialty processors versus county disposal.

• Route clean concrete and masonry to Tennessee Valley Materials for $35⁠–⁠$40/ton savings
• Separate metal roofing, HVAC units, and structural steel before disposal
• Wood waste under 4 feet qualifies for yard waste rates at some facilities
• Asphalt shingles accepted at specialized processors for $45⁠–⁠$50/ton vs $70+ at landfill

Knoxville scrap metal markets pay competitive rates: steel $0.10⁠–⁠$0.15/lb, aluminum $0.40⁠–⁠$0.45/lb, copper $2.50⁠–⁠$3.00/lb, brass $1.80⁠–⁠$2.20/lb. Tennessee Valley Recycling and Knox Metals offer consistent pricing. Appliances with refrigerant removal certificates bring $15⁠–⁠$25 each. Clean auto parts, farm equipment, and structural steel command premium rates. Contaminated or mixed loads face 20⁠–⁠30% price reductions.

• Separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals for maximum revenue potential
• Remove copper wiring from appliances before scrapping — adds $5⁠–⁠$15 per unit
• Clean steel brings $0.03⁠–⁠$0.05/lb premium over contaminated material
• Aluminum siding, gutters, and window frames average $0.42/lb when separated

Electronics recycling required by Knox County ordinance. CRT TVs and monitors cost $0.25⁠–⁠$0.35/lb at certified processors like East Tennessee Electronics Recycling. Flat screens, computers, and small electronics often free or $0.15⁠–⁠$0.20/lb. State law prohibits landfill disposal of most electronics. Copper-bearing items (old TVs, stereos) may qualify for scrap metal pricing when processed properly.

• Route working electronics to Knox County ReUse Center for free disposal
• Extract copper transformers and wiring before recycling for scrap value
• Bundle electronics with metal-heavy items to hit minimum weights
• Avoid CRT disposal fees by routing to specialized processors

Standard surcharges apply across Knox County facilities: tires $5⁠–⁠$15 each depending on size, mattresses $10⁠–⁠$15 each, refrigerators $25⁠–⁠$35 with proper refrigerant removal, paint/chemicals $35⁠–⁠$75 per container. Oversize items exceeding truck bed dimensions face $25⁠–⁠$50 handling fees. Contaminated loads (mixed hazmat, medical waste) trigger rejection or premium processing charges up to $150/ton additional.

• Budget $8⁠–⁠$12 per mattress and $30 per refrigerator in job pricing
• Route tires to specialty recyclers to avoid per-tire fees
• Separate paint and household chemicals for hazmat collection events
• Break down oversized furniture to avoid handling surcharges

Primary county landfill with truck scales and commercial accounts. Scale house processes payments. Arrive before 3:30pm weekdays to avoid delays. Best access for larger trucks. Monthly accounts available with NET 30 terms for established operators.

Transfer station with sorting capabilities. Metals separated on-site. Electronics accepted at no charge. Faster processing than main landfill. Good option for mixed loads with recyclables. Staff helps identify valuable materials.

Specialty C&D processor. Clean materials only — no mixed debris. Produces recycled aggregate. Significant savings vs landfill disposal. Quick turnaround for concrete-heavy loads. Reject contaminated loads.

Full-service scrap yard with truck scale. Handles refrigerant removal for appliances. Pays competitive market rates. Separate materials for best pricing. Cash or check payment same day. Good relationships with junk removal operators.

Two locations in Knoxville accept donations. Items must be in good condition. Free pickup available for large items. Tax receipts provided. Call ahead for large loads. Saves disposal costs on quality items.