Rate and policy changes at the City of Knoxville’s Transfer Station, located at 1033 Elm St., are scheduled to go into effect on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016.
 
The Transfer Station facility collects a wide variety of solid waste materials, including tires, building materials, construction/demolition debris, and other materials not permitted in daily garbage collections per Waste Connections guidelines. Individual residents, contractors and other patrons may drive their vehicle through the facility for disposal of the solid waste materials.
 
An average of 500 tons per week – or nearly 30,000 tons per year – are collected at the Transfer Station. To put that into perspective, the Transfer Station collects enough solid waste to equal the tonnage of 166 blue whales, the largest mammal on Earth.
 
Effective Aug. 1, rates for disposal of solid waste materials at the Transfer Station will increase from $45 per ton to $50 per ton. Rachel Butzler, the City’s Solid Waste Manager, said that, as set by City ordinance, the City is required to maintain operations under a break-even budget. The City will also start charging the regular tipping fee for appliances containing refrigerants, such as air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators. These appliances require additional handling to drain the coolant properly before being recycled.  

“This rate increase is necessary to comply with the City ordinance and address rising expenses,” said Butzler. “However, even with this rate increase, the City Transfer Station remains significantly lower than the average private market solid waste facility.”

For example, Poplar View, a local private landfill, charges $62.50 per ton. Chestnut Ridge, another privately-operated landfill, has a minimum charge of $100.

The City of Knoxville Transfer Station will maintain its current schedule:
 
• 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
• 7 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays
• 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays (with the exception of Amnesty Saturdays)

Amnesty Saturday, a program that occurs the first Saturday of each month, allows City residents to dispose of solid waste materials at no cost. City crews are on site to check identification for proof of City residence. Additionally, the City will no longer accept roofing materials or refuse from commercial operators on Amnesty Saturday.

And please remember, for the safety of the public and the staff, smoking is prohibited at the Solid Waste Management Facility.  
 
For more information on the City Transfer Station, please call 311 or visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/solidwaste.