Item: Major household appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters, etc.) Jurisdiction: Davidson County / Nashville city limits, Tennessee Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Nashville residents have two free options for getting rid of old appliances: free curbside bulk pickup through the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, or free drop-off at any of four Convenience Centers.
Davidson County Sheriff's Office Free Bulk Pickup: Available for single-family residences only — apartments, condos, townhomes, gated communities, and business properties are NOT eligible. Place items at front curbside and call 615-880-3897 (Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–2:30 PM) to schedule.
Convenience Center Free Drop-Off: All four Nashville Convenience Centers accept bulky household items including appliances — East (943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr), Ezell Pike (3254 Ezell Pk), Anderson Lane (939A Anderson Ln), and Omohundro (1019 Omohundro Pl). Open Tuesday–Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. One bulk item free per visit, plus three bags of trash. Davidson County residents only — bring your TN driver's license. Residents must unload their own material.
Refrigerator note: Fridges, freezers, and air conditioners contain refrigerant that must be handled properly per federal EPA regulations. Confirm refrigerant rules with the provider before scheduling or hauling.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact — Sheriff's Office pickup | 615-880-3897 (Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–2:30 PM) |
| Primary contact — Convenience Centers | 615-862-5000 |
| Official pages | DCSO Bulk Item Removal / Nashville Bulky Item Collection |
| Collection methods | Free curbside pickup (Sheriff's Office) and free drop-off (convenience centers) |
| Cost | FREE for both routes (1 bulk item per visit at centers) |
| Proof of residency | TN driver's license with Davidson County address (for drop-off) |
| Appointment needed | Yes for pickup (call to schedule); drop-off is walk-in |
| Commercial waste | Not accepted by either route |
| Credit/debit at centers | 2.8% fee ($1.95 minimum) |
Free Curbside Pickup — Davidson County Sheriff's Office
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office runs a free bulk item removal program for Davidson County residents. This is the best option if you cannot transport the appliance yourself.
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residence type | Single-family residences ONLY |
| Not eligible | Apartments, condos, townhomes, gated communities, private roads, business properties |
| What qualifies | Household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, etc.) |
| Cost | FREE |
| Where to place | Front curbside at the main entrance |
| Schedule | Call 615-880-3897 (Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–2:30 PM) |
What to Know Before Scheduling
- Call 615-880-3897 during business hours (Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–2:30 PM) to arrange pickup.
- The scheduling window — how far in advance you need to call and how soon they arrive — is not detailed in available official sources. Ask the operator when you call.
- Items must be placed at the front curbside at the main entrance.
- The service is for single-family homes only. Apartments, condos, townhomes, or gated communities are not eligible.
Refrigerant Question
Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant (CFCs or HCFCs) that must be recovered by a certified technician under EPA regulations before disposal. When you call 615-880-3897, ask:
- "Do you accept refrigerators and freezers with the refrigerant still sealed?"
- "Do I need to have the refrigerant removed by a certified technician before you pick it up?"
- "If you handle refrigerant removal, is there a separate process or fee?"
Free Drop-Off at Convenience Centers
If you live in an apartment, need faster disposal, or want to bring the appliance yourself, the convenience centers are your best bet.
All Four Locations Accept Appliances
| Center | Address | Accepts HHW? |
|---|---|---|
| East Convenience Center | 943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr, Nashville, TN 37207 | Yes (HHW available) |
| Ezell Pike Convenience Center | 3254 Ezell Pk, Nashville, TN 37211 | Yes (HHW available) |
| Anderson Lane Convenience Center | 939A Anderson Ln, Nashville, TN 37207 | No HHW — but accepts appliances |
| Omohundro Convenience Center | 1019 Omohundro Pl, Nashville, TN 37211 | No HHW — but accepts appliances |
All four centers accept bulky household items including major appliances. East, Ezell Pike, Anderson Lane, and Omohundro are all valid for appliance drop-off.
Drop-Off Rules
- Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed Metro holidays.
- Free allowance: 1 bulk item + 3 bags of trash free per visit.
- Eligibility: Davidson County residents only — must show TN driver's license.
- Unloading: You must unload your own appliance.
- Commercial vehicles: Not accepted — personal vehicles only.
- Not eligible: Commercial/industrial waste, out-of-county residents.
What About Specific Appliance Types?
The convenience centers accept bulky household appliances generally — washers, dryers, stoves/ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, and similar items. The available official sources do not explicitly list every accepted appliance type. Call 615-862-5000 to confirm your specific appliance before hauling.
Refrigerators, Freezers, and AC Units — Refrigerant Rules
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers contain refrigerant (commonly CFCs or HCFCs) that is a greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance. Federal EPA regulations require certified recovery before disposal.
What Is Known
- The official Nashville and Sheriff's Office sources do not explicitly state whether they accept appliances with intact refrigerant or require prior removal by a certified technician.
- Federal law (Clean Air Act Section 608) prohibits knowingly releasing refrigerant during disposal.
What You Must Ask
Before using either route, confirm with the provider:
- Sheriff's Office (615-880-3897): "Do you pick up refrigerators with refrigerant still sealed? Do I need a certified technician to remove it first?"
- Convenience Center (615-862-5000): "Do you accept refrigerators/freezers with intact refrigerant? Is there a different process for units with refrigerant?"
Do not assume the provider handles refrigerant removal. If they require certified removal, you will need to hire a licensed appliance repair or HVAC technician to recover the refrigerant before disposal.
Fees and Payment
| Route | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff's Office curbside pickup | FREE | Single-family residences only |
| Convenience center drop-off | 1 bulk item FREE per visit | Excludes mattresses ($12), tires with rims ($5/tire), construction/demolition by volume |
| Additional items at centers | Varies | Check with center for pricing |
| Credit/debit at centers | 2.8% fee ($1.95 min) | For any paid items |
Whether large appliances beyond the one free bulk item per visit incur additional fees is not confirmed in available sources. Call ahead to ask.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
| Scenario | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Apartment resident with old appliance | Convenience center drop-off is your option. Sheriff's Office pickup is not available for multi-unit properties. 1 bulk item free per visit. |
| Renter in a single-family home | You qualify for Sheriff's Office pickup if the home is single-family and you are a Davidson County resident. Call 615-880-3897 to schedule. |
| Landlord/property manager with multiple appliances | Commercial quantities are not accepted at convenience centers or through Sheriff's Office. Use a licensed waste hauler. |
| No vehicle for transport | Sheriff's Office pickup is best if eligible. In an apartment, ask a friend or neighbour for help, or consider a retailer haul-away service when purchasing a new appliance. |
Retailer Haul-Away Option
When purchasing a new appliance, most major retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, local appliance stores) offer haul-away services for your old unit. This is typically:
- Convenient — they handle removal and disposal in one trip.
- Fee-based — usually $20–50 depending on the retailer and appliance type.
- Includes refrigerant handling — most haul-away services are equipped to handle refrigerant-containing units properly.
This option is not covered by official Nashville programs, but it is a practical alternative worth considering when replacing an appliance.
How to Prepare Your Appliance for Disposal
For pickup or drop-off:
- Disconnect the appliance from power, water, and gas lines.
- Clean the appliance — remove all food, shelves, drawers, and personal items.
- Secure doors — tape doors shut on refrigerators and freezers.
- Remove doors if possible — refrigerator/freezer doors can trap children. Removing them eliminates this risk.
- Ask about refrigerant — confirm whether refrigerant removal is required before pickup/drop-off.
- For Sheriff's Office pickup: place at front curbside at the main entrance.
- For convenience center drop-off: load into your vehicle and bring your TN driver's license.
Environmental Considerations
Old appliances often contain materials that require proper handling:
- Refrigerants (CFCs/HCFCs) — ozone-depleting and potent greenhouse gases. Illegal to release into the atmosphere.
- Metals — compressors, copper, steel, and aluminum are recyclable.
- Mercury switches — some older appliances (particularly chest freezers and older refrigerators) contain mercury tilt switches.
- PCBs — very old appliances (pre-1979) may contain PCB-laden capacitors.
Proper disposal is legally required. Abandoning appliances in alleys, vacant lots, or on curbs without scheduling pickup is illegal dumping and carries fines in Davidson County.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Putting appliances in regular trash carts
Appliances are banned from regular trash in Nashville. Use bulk pickup or drop-off.
2. Scheduling Sheriff's Office pickup for an apartment
The program is single-family residences only. Your request will be declined.
3. Assuming all convenience centers have the same rules
All four centers accept appliances as bulky items, but only East and Ezell Pike accept HHW. If your appliance also needs HHW items dropped off, go to East or Ezell Pike.
4. Showing up without proof of residency
Bring your TN driver's license with a Davidson County address. Without it, you will be turned away.
5. Hauling a refrigerator without asking about refrigerant first
You might be told the appliance cannot be accepted because of refrigerant rules. Ask before you go.
6. Leaving appliance doors on for curbside pickup
Doors on refrigerators and freezers can trap children. Remove doors or secure them so they cannot close fully.
7. Abandoning appliances on the curb
Illegal dumping in Davidson County carries fines. Only leave items curbside if you have scheduled Sheriff's Office pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my old microwave in the trash? Small countertop microwaves can go in regular trash. Built-in or large microwaves should be disposed of as bulk items through the same options above.
Does the Sheriff's Office pick up air conditioners? Window AC units and central AC components are appliances. Ask 615-880-3897 whether they accept them under the bulk pickup program.
Can I take a washer or dryer to any convenience center? Yes, all four centers accept bulky appliances like washers and dryers. One free bulk item per visit.
How many appliances can I drop off at once? One bulk item is free per visit. For multiple items, you may need to make multiple trips or pay fees for additional items. Call 615-862-5000 to confirm.
Is the Sheriff's Office pickup really free? Yes, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office bulk item removal program is free for eligible single-family residences. No fee is charged.
Can I schedule Sheriff's Office pickup online? Available official sources only list the phone number (615-880-3897, Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–2:30 PM). No online scheduling is confirmed.
Do I need to remove the doors from my refrigerator? Removing doors is recommended for safety (prevents child entrapment) and may be required by the disposal provider. Ask when you schedule.
Official Verification Checklist
- Choose your route — Sheriff's Office pickup (single-family) or convenience center drop-off (any housing type).
- If Sheriff's Office: call 615-880-3897 — ask about scheduling window, pickup day, accepted appliances, and refrigerant rules.
- If convenience center: choose a location — call 615-862-5000 to confirm your specific appliance is accepted.
- Ask about refrigerant handling — confirm whether intact refrigerant is OK or needs certified removal.
- Confirm proof of residency needed — TN driver's license with Davidson County address for drop-off.
- Prepare the appliance — disconnect, clean, secure doors, remove doors if possible.
- Confirm hours — centers are Tue–Sat 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, but check for holiday closures.
Sources
- Davidson County Sheriff's Office — Bulk Item Removal — Official program page for free curbside bulk pickup.
- Nashville Convenience Center — Bulky Item Collection — Official page for bulky item drop-off rules and free allowance.
- Nashville Convenience Center Services — Official hub for all convenience center information.
- Convenience Center Hours and Locations — Hours, addresses, and holiday schedule.
- Nashville Waste Services — 615-862-5000 — Convenience center and HHW questions.
- Davidson County Sheriff's Office — 615-880-3897 — Bulk pickup scheduling.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, and hours change. Always call to verify current information before hauling or scheduling an appliance for disposal.