Beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25), the City of Knoxville’s residential trash contractor, Waste Connections, will be limiting trash and recyclable pickup service to “content of carts” only. Excess material outside of carts and bulky waste items, such as discarded televisions or furniture, will not be collected by Waste Connections.

Waste Connections has adopted the new collection protocol nationally as a means of protecting its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The change also helps Waste Connections prioritize regular pickup of garbage and recyclables should staffing be reduced by illness. The company says it is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and state and local health officials in the communities it serves.

In addition, City of Knoxville Public Service Department crews may be cutting back on residential brush pickup in order to address other higher-priority services. City crews will assist with collecting bulky waste as needed but are not equipped to collect overflow garbage and recyclables. Brush still will be collected, but Public Service Director Chad Weth is asking for patience from residents if bulky waste and brush collection is behind the typical schedule.