Item: Household hazardous waste — pesticides, herbicides, household cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and other chemical products Jurisdiction: Davidson County / Nashville city limits, Tennessee Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Household chemicals and pesticides are accepted FREE as household hazardous waste (HHW) at two Nashville locations: East Convenience Center (943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr) and Ezell Pike Convenience Center (3254 Ezell Pk). Anderson Lane and Omohundro Convenience Centers do NOT accept HHW.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed Metro holidays. Limit: 15 gallons or 100 pounds total HHW per household per month. Eligibility: Davidson County residents only — bring your TN driver's license. Cost: FREE within the monthly limit.
Containers must be in original labeled packaging, sealed, and not leaking. Do not mix different chemicals together.
Call 615-862-5000 for HHW questions before you load the car.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | Nashville Waste Services — 615-862-5000 |
| Official hub | Nashville HHW Collection |
| Collection method | Drop-off only |
| HHW drop-off locations | East and Ezell Pike ONLY |
| Hours | Tuesday–Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed Metro holidays |
| Cost | FREE for HHW within the monthly limit |
| Monthly limit | 15 gallons or 100 pounds total HHW per household |
| Proof of residency | TN driver's license with Davidson County address |
| Appointment required | No — walk-in during operating hours |
| Latex paint | NOT accepted as HHW — dry it out and trash it |
| Commercial waste | Not accepted |
| Credit/debit at centers | 2.8% fee ($1.95 minimum) for non-HHW purchases |
Where to Drop Off Chemicals — East and Ezell Pike Only
Household hazardous waste is accepted at only two of Nashville's four convenience centers.
| Center | Address | Accepts HHW? |
|---|---|---|
| East Convenience Center | 943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr, Nashville, TN 37207 | Yes |
| Ezell Pike Convenience Center | 3254 Ezell Pk, Nashville, TN 37211 | Yes |
| Anderson Lane Convenience Center | 939A Anderson Ln, Nashville, TN 37207 | No |
| Omohundro Convenience Center | 1019 Omohundro Pl, Nashville, TN 37211 | No |
Do not go to Anderson Lane or Omohundro with chemicals, pesticides, or any household hazardous waste. You will be turned away.
Both East and Ezell Pike follow the same rules: free HHW drop-off, same hours, same quantity limits, Davidson County residents only.
Accepted Household Hazardous Waste Items
Based on available official sources, the Nashville HHW program accepts the following categories:
- Pesticides and herbicides — weed killers, insect sprays, rodent poisons
- Household cleaners — bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners, oven cleaners
- Solvents — paint thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine
- Oil-based paint — paint, stain, and varnish
- Motor oil and automotive fluids — used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline
- Pool chemicals — chlorine, pH adjusters, algaecides
- Batteries — household and rechargeable batteries
- Fluorescent bulbs — CFLs and linear fluorescent tubes
- Old gasoline — from lawn equipment or vehicles
Not Accepted at HHW
- Latex/acrylic paint — dry it out and trash it instead
- Ammunition and explosives
- Medical waste and medications
- Commercial/industrial waste
- Quantities exceeding 15 gallons or 100 pounds per month
- Waste from out-of-county residents
Important note: The official nashville.gov HHW page was partially blocked during source verification. The list above draws from search-engine snippets and may not be complete. Call 615-862-5000 to confirm whether a specific chemical is accepted before hauling it.
Quantity Limits
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Total HHW per visit | 15 gallons or 100 pounds per household per month |
| Applies to | Combined total of all HHW items (chemicals + paint + oil + batteries, etc.) |
| Over the limit | Excess quantities will be refused |
| Resets | Monthly — next calendar month brings a fresh limit |
If you bring latex paint (for trash, not HHW), that does not count toward the HHW limit. If you bring oil-based paint, solvents, pesticides, and motor oil in the same trip, their combined weight must stay under 15 gallons or 100 pounds.
How to Prepare Chemicals for Drop-Off
Container Rules
- Keep in original labeled containers whenever possible — the label tells staff what is inside.
- Seal lids tight — containers must not be leaking.
- If repackaging: use a plastic jug with a secure lid and label the contents clearly.
- Do NOT mix different chemicals together. Mixing can cause toxic fumes, fire, or explosion.
- Place leaking containers in separate sealed plastic bags and label them.
Transport Safety
- Pack upright in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to absorb drips.
- Transport in the trunk or cargo area — keep chemicals away from the passenger cabin.
- Secure boxes so they cannot tip over during transit.
- Keep chemicals away from food, children, and pets during transport.
- Ventilate the vehicle — open a window if you smell chemical fumes.
Documents to Bring
- Tennessee driver's license with a Davidson County address.
Before You Leave
Call 615-862-5000 to confirm the center is open, accepting your specific chemical types, and your load is within the monthly limit.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
| Scenario | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Apartment resident with household chemicals | You are eligible as a Davidson County resident. Drive your personal vehicle to East or Ezell Pike. Max 15 gal/100 lbs per month. |
| No vehicle access | Transporting chemicals without a vehicle is not safe. Ask a friend or neighbour with a car. Do not use public transit or ride-share with hazardous chemicals. |
| Landlord with chemical collection from vacated units | Commercial quantities from multiple units may need a commercial waste service. Call 615-862-5000 to discuss. |
| Small business with limited chemical waste | Commercial/business chemical waste is not accepted at residential HHW. Contact a licensed hazardous waste hauler. |
Latex Paint — Not HHW
A common mistake: latex/acrylic paint is NOT accepted at HHW. If you have latex paint:
- Remove the lid.
- Mix with cat litter or paint hardener until solid.
- Let it dry completely.
- Dispose in regular trash with the lid off so collectors can see it is dry.
Only oil-based paint qualifies as HHW. If unsure which type you have, check the can label — "clean up with soap and water" means latex; "clean up with mineral spirits" means oil-based.
Safety Caveats
- Never mix chemicals — combining different household chemicals can produce toxic gases, fire, or explosions.
- Do not pour chemicals down drains or onto the ground — this is illegal and contaminates waterways.
- Keep chemicals away from children and pets during storage and transport.
- Do not smoke near flammable chemicals — many household chemicals are highly combustible.
- If you feel unwell from chemical fumes, get fresh air immediately and call Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
- Transport chemicals in a well-ventilated vehicle — open windows if you smell fumes.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Going to the wrong convenience center
Anderson Lane and Omohundro do not accept HHW. Only East and Ezell Pike take chemicals and pesticides.
2. Taking latex paint to HHW
Latex paint will be refused. Dry it out and put it in regular trash.
3. Exceeding the 15 gallon / 100 pound limit
Your load will be refused if over the limit. Estimate before heading out.
4. Mixing different chemicals together
This is the most dangerous mistake. It can cause toxic fumes, fire, or explosion.
5. Transporting unsecured containers
Containers that tip over can leak, creating a hazardous mess. Pack them upright in sturdy boxes.
6. Using unlabeled containers
If staff cannot identify what is in a container, they may refuse it. Label everything clearly.
7. Putting HHW in the regular trash
Household hazardous waste is prohibited from regular trash in Nashville.
8. Not checking hours before you go
The centers close on Metro holidays. Call ahead to make sure they are open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring old gasoline from my lawnmower? Yes. Old gasoline is accepted as HHW at East and Ezell Pike. Store it in a sealed, labeled container. Do not mix with other fluids.
What about propane tanks? Propane tanks (small camping cylinders and larger BBQ tanks) are accepted at HHW, but rules may differ. Call 615-862-5000 to confirm.
Are medications accepted at HHW? No. Medications should not go to the HHW center. Contact the Metro Nashville Police Department or check for local drug take-back programs.
Can I bring asbestos-containing materials? No. Asbestos waste requires special handling. Contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor in Nashville.
What about smoke detectors? Smoke detectors may contain small amounts of radioactive material. Call 615-862-5000 for guidance.
Can I bring empty containers that held chemicals? Empty, triple-rinsed containers can generally go in regular trash, but check with the center. Containers with residue are HHW.
Is there a limit per item, or only a total limit? The 15-gallon or 100-pound limit applies to all HHW combined. There is no confirmed per-item limit beyond that.
What if a chemical has spilled in my car on the way? Pull over safely. Ventilate the vehicle. Clean up with absorbent material (cat litter or baking soda). Wear gloves. For large spills involving strong chemicals, call 615-862-5000 for guidance.
Official Verification Checklist
- Call 615-862-5000 — confirm HHW hours, accepted chemical categories, and any special instructions.
- Choose East or Ezell Pike — Anderson Lane and Omohundro do not take HHW.
- Confirm your load is under 15 gallons or 100 pounds — hard monthly limit per household.
- Prepare containers — original labels, sealed, not leaking. Do not mix chemicals.
- Pack for transport — upright in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper.
- Bring TN driver's license — must show Davidson County address.
- Confirm hours — Tuesday–Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, but check for holiday closures.
Sources
- Nashville HHW Collection — Official Program Page — Primary source for HHW rules, locations, and accepted items.
- 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 — HHW questions, accepted items, current policies.
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation — HHW — State-level HHW resources and county locator.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, and hours change. Always call 615-862-5000 to verify current information before hauling chemicals or pesticides for disposal.