CMC Recycling in Chattanooga: Drop-Off for Residents Without Curbside Service
CMC Recycling is a staffed drop-off facility where Chattanooga residents and businesses can recycle materials that don't fit curbside pickup programs or who lack access to regular collection. Located on the city's south side, it functions as a secondary sorting point for cardboard, metals, plastics, and paper that residents sort themselves before dropping off.
What CMC Recycling actually is
CMC Recycling operates as a public drop-off center run by the City of Chattanooga's Environmental Services division. It is not a full-service material recovery facility (MRF) that processes mixed recyclables automatically; instead, it requires residents to pre-sort materials into labeled bins and containers on site. The facility handles overflow from curbside programs, accepts items curbside pickup does not take, and serves neighborhoods without scheduled collection. It is smaller in scope and capacity than a commercial MRF but fills a necessary gap for residents who need flexible recycling access outside scheduled pickup days.
Materials accepted and what isn't
CMC Recycling accepts cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7, newspaper, magazines, and mixed paper. The facility does not accept plastic bags, styrofoam, hazardous materials, or electronics. Placing plastic bags in the bins clogs sorting equipment downstream, so the facility staff enforce this restriction. Residents uncertain whether an item qualifies should call ahead or ask staff on arrival; contamination (non-recyclables mixed into the stream) delays processing at the next stage.
How CMC compares to other Chattanooga recycling options
Chattanooga residents have three main recycling pathways. Curbside pickup, included in most residential sanitation bills, is the easiest option for routine household recycling and requires no sorting. The Chattanooga Resource Recovery Facility, the city's primary MRF, processes most curbside material but does not accept drop-offs from the public. CMC Recycling bridges the gap for residents without curbside access, those with unusually large cardboard loads (moving, retail waste), and those who want to recycle outside their scheduled pickup week. Choose curbside if available and your volume is routine; choose CMC if you lack service, have bulk cardboard, or need flexible timing.
Who it serves and who it doesn't
CMC Recycling suits residents in neighborhoods without curbside pickup, small businesses generating light recyclables, and residents with temporary overflow. It does not serve residents needing on-site collection or those with hazardous or electronic waste (which require separate city programs). People with heavy commercial volumes should contact waste haulers directly. First-time users should expect to spend 10 to 15 minutes sorting and dropping materials into the correct bins.
What to expect on your first visit
Arrive during posted hours with materials pre-sorted or ready to sort at the facility. Staff will direct you to the correct bins. You do not need an account, membership, or advance reservation. No fee is charged to residents. Bring materials in bags or containers you can empty; do not leave bags in the bins. If you are unsure whether an item is accepted, ask staff before unloading. Peak times are Saturday mornings; weekday afternoons are typically quieter.
Hours, location, and logistics
CMC Recycling is located at 3531 Broad Street. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (verify hours before a weekend trip, as holiday schedules change). The facility has a gravel parking area with space for 8 to 10 vehicles. There is no attendant payment or donation system; drop-off is free. The site is accessible by personal vehicle only; public transit does not serve it directly.
CMC Recycling fills the practical need for flexible, no-cost recycling access in a city where curbside pickup does not reach every address and where occasional bulk items exceed pickup limits.
