Hazardous Waste Disposal in Tennessee
Professional Hazardous Waste Management Services Throughout Tennessee
Businesses and institutions across Tennessee generate hazardous waste that requires proper disposal to meet EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) regulations. From automotive manufacturing to healthcare, proper hazardous waste management is essential for compliance, safety, and environmental protection. Hazardous Waste Disposal provides expert waste management services throughout the Volunteer State.
Call (800) 582-4833 for Tennessee hazardous waste disposal services or email info@hazardouswastedisposal.com
Hazardous Waste Services Across Tennessee
We provide comprehensive hazardous waste disposal services to businesses, industries, institutions, and organizations throughout Tennessee. Our services cover all major metropolitan areas and regions across the state, ensuring Tennessee businesses have access to reliable, compliant waste management solutions.
Major Service Areas in Tennessee
Nashville Metro Area: Comprehensive hazardous waste services for businesses, healthcare facilities, universities, manufacturers, music industry operations, and commercial enterprises in Tennessee's capital and largest city. Nashville is the state's economic and cultural center.
Memphis Metro Area: Hazardous waste management for logistics companies, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, universities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and commercial businesses in Tennessee's second-largest city and major distribution hub.
Knoxville Region: Waste disposal services for the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory area, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, and businesses in East Tennessee.
Chattanooga Area: Hazardous waste services for manufacturers, Volkswagen automotive operations, healthcare facilities, and commercial businesses in Southeast Tennessee.
Tri-Cities (Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol): Services for Eastman Chemical Company, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, and businesses in Northeast Tennessee.
Clarksville Region: Waste management for Fort Campbell military installation, manufacturers, and businesses in Middle Tennessee.
Other Service Areas: We provide hazardous waste disposal services throughout all 95 counties in Tennessee, including Murfreesboro, Franklin, Jackson, Columbia, and all communities statewide.
Tennessee Industries We Serve
Tennessee's diverse economy includes automotive manufacturing, healthcare, chemicals, food processing, music industry, logistics, and more. We provide specialized hazardous waste management services to all major industries operating throughout the state.
Automotive Manufacturing Industry
Tennessee has become a major automotive manufacturing center with world-class operations:
Nissan North America:
Smyrna Assembly Plant (near Nashville) - Nissan's largest North American manufacturing facility producing:
Nissan Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, Rogue
Leaf electric vehicles
INFINITI vehicles
Employing thousands in automotive manufacturing
Decherd Powertrain Plant - Engine and powertrain production
Nissan operations generate paint and coating waste, metal finishing wastes, spent solvents and degreasers, adhesives, welding materials, equipment maintenance waste, and contaminated materials.
Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant manufactures:
Atlas SUV
ID.4 electric vehicles
Advanced automotive manufacturing with focus on electric vehicles
VW generates similar automotive manufacturing waste including paints, coatings, metal finishing waste, battery manufacturing materials, and process chemicals.
General Motors Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex produces:
Cadillac vehicles
Previously produced Saturn vehicles
Large-scale automotive assembly
Automotive Supply Chain: Tennessee has attracted hundreds of automotive suppliers supporting Nissan, VW, GM, and other automotive operations:
Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers
Parts manufacturing
Component production
Assembly operations
Automotive suppliers generate:
Parts manufacturing waste
Machining and metalworking waste
Coating and finishing waste
Plastic injection molding waste
Assembly process materials
The automotive industry generates:
Paint booth waste and overspray
E-coat and powder coating waste
Metal finishing wastes
Cutting fluids and metalworking oils
Spent solvents and degreasers
Adhesives and sealants
Welding materials
Hydraulic fluids
Battery manufacturing waste (for electric vehicles)
Contaminated materials
Universal waste
Healthcare and Medical Research
Tennessee has world-class healthcare and medical research institutions:
Major Healthcare Systems:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville) is one of the nation's premier academic medical centers with:
Vanderbilt University Hospital
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Extensive research programs
Medical school and health sciences
VUMC generates pharmaceutical waste, chemotherapy waste, laboratory chemicals, research materials, and all categories of medical waste.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis) is internationally renowned for:
Pediatric cancer and catastrophic disease research
Treatment programs
Cutting-edge research
No-charge patient care
St. Jude generates chemotherapy waste, research chemicals, laboratory materials, pharmaceutical waste, and specialized medical research waste.
University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville) - major regional medical center
UT Health Science Center (Memphis) includes:
College of Medicine
Research programs
Clinical facilities
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis) - extensive healthcare system
Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga) - major regional healthcare provider
HCA Healthcare - Nashville-based (headquarters) with facilities throughout Tennessee and nationally
Ballad Health (Northeast Tennessee) - large integrated healthcare system
Regional One Health (Memphis) - trauma center
Numerous other hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state
Healthcare facilities generate:
Pharmaceutical waste (including controlled substances)
Chemical disinfectants and sterilants
Laboratory chemicals
Chemotherapy waste (requiring specialized handling, particularly significant at St. Jude and cancer centers)
Formaldehyde from pathology
Xylene and other staining chemicals
Research chemicals (especially from academic medical centers)
Mercury-containing equipment
Universal waste
Regulated medical waste (managed under separate protocols)
Universities and Research Institutions
Tennessee's universities generate significant laboratory and research waste:
University of Tennessee System:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville - flagship research university with engineering, sciences, agriculture, and extensive research programs
UT Health Science Center (Memphis) - medical, pharmacy, health sciences
UT Chattanooga
UT Martin
UT Southern
Vanderbilt University (Nashville) - premier research university with:
School of Engineering
College of Arts and Science
Medical School
Extensive research programs across disciplines
Oak Ridge Associated Universities - consortium supporting Oak Ridge National Laboratory research
Tennessee State University (Nashville) - land-grant HBCU
Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro)
East Tennessee State University (Johnson City)
University of Memphis
Rhodes College (Memphis)
Belmont University (Nashville)
Christian Brothers University (Memphis)
Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville)
Austin Peay State University (Clarksville)
These institutions generate:
Laboratory chemicals and reagents
Research waste from diverse programs
Spent solvents
Acids and bases
Heavy metal-containing materials
Biological waste
Universal waste
Maintenance chemicals
Teaching laboratory waste
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Federal Facilities
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, near Knoxville) is one of the nation's premier national laboratories:
Department of Energy facility
Nuclear research and technology
Materials science
Supercomputing
Isotope production
Various scientific research programs
Y-12 National Security Complex (Oak Ridge) - nuclear weapons component manufacturing and dismantlement
Arnold Engineering Development Complex (Tullahoma) - aerospace testing facility
These federal facilities generate specialized waste streams managed under DOE and DOD regulations in addition to EPA requirements. While most waste is managed internally or through specialized federal contractors, some conventional industrial waste may require commercial disposal.
Chemical Manufacturing Industry
Tennessee has significant chemical manufacturing:
Eastman Chemical Company (Kingsport) is a major global specialty chemical company with:
Headquarters and major manufacturing operations
Plastics, chemicals, fibers production
Advanced materials
Specialty products
Eastman generates process waste, chemical manufacturing waste, spent catalysts, contaminated materials, and various industrial chemicals.
Other Chemical Operations:
Industrial chemicals
Specialty chemicals
Plastics and polymers
Chemical processing
Chemical manufacturers generate:
Process waste
Off-specification products
Spent catalysts
Reaction by-products
Contaminated materials
Solvents and cleaning agents
Acids and bases
Food and Beverage Industry
Tennessee has diverse food and beverage operations:
Distilleries: Tennessee is famous for whiskey production:
Jack Daniel's (Lynchburg) - iconic Tennessee whiskey
George Dickel (Cascade Hollow)
Numerous craft distilleries throughout the state
Distilleries generate cleaning chemicals, process waste, equipment maintenance materials, and laboratory chemicals.
Food Processing:
Meat processing
Dairy products
Baking and snack foods
Beverage production
Food processing generates:
Cleaning chemicals and sanitizers
Refrigeration system chemicals
Laboratory chemicals
Equipment maintenance waste
Process chemicals
Music Industry and Entertainment
Nashville is "Music City USA" with extensive music industry operations:
Recording studios
Production facilities
Entertainment venues
Music equipment manufacturing
Music industry operations generate:
Specialty chemicals
Cleaning agents
Maintenance materials
Electronic waste
Universal waste
Logistics and Distribution
Memphis is a major logistics hub:
FedEx (world headquarters in Memphis)
Extensive distribution centers
Warehousing operations
Transportation companies
Logistics operations generate:
Vehicle and equipment maintenance waste
Facility maintenance materials
Universal waste
Cleaning chemicals
Agriculture
Tennessee agriculture includes:
Cattle and beef production
Dairy operations
Poultry
Soybeans
Corn
Cotton
Tobacco (declining)
Horse farms (particularly Middle Tennessee)
Agricultural operations generate:
Pesticides and herbicides
Veterinary pharmaceuticals
Equipment maintenance waste
Fuel and petroleum products
Automotive and Transportation Services
Auto repair shops, dealerships, truck stops, fleet maintenance facilities, and transportation companies throughout Tennessee generate:
Used motor oil
Antifreeze
Spent solvents and degreasers
Brake fluids and transmission fluids
Contaminated absorbents
Paint and body shop waste
Batteries
Aerosol cans
Commercial and Retail Operations
Commercial businesses throughout Tennessee generate maintenance chemicals, cleaning products, pest control materials, universal waste, and other regulated materials.
Types of Hazardous Waste We Handle in Tennessee
We manage all categories of hazardous waste generated by Tennessee businesses and institutions.
Automotive Manufacturing Waste
Paint and coating waste, metal finishing wastes, metalworking fluids, adhesives and sealants, welding materials, battery manufacturing waste (electric vehicles), and contaminated materials.
Chemical Waste Disposal
Spent solvents, acids and bases, laboratory chemicals, paint and coatings from manufacturing, maintenance, automotive, healthcare, and research operations.
Healthcare and Research Waste
Pharmaceutical waste (including controlled substances requiring DEA compliance), chemotherapy waste (especially from St. Jude and cancer centers), laboratory chemicals, research materials, and disinfectants.
Chemical Manufacturing Waste
Process waste, spent catalysts, off-specification products, reaction by-products, and contaminated materials from chemical production.
Petroleum Products and Oils
Used oil, contaminated fuel, oily waste from vehicles, equipment, manufacturing, and logistics operations.
Universal Waste Management
Fluorescent bulbs and lamps, batteries, electronic waste, mercury-containing equipment from all industries.
Food and Beverage Waste
Cleaning chemicals, process chemicals, refrigeration system waste, laboratory chemicals from food processing and distilleries.
Industrial and Manufacturing Waste
Metal finishing wastes, process waste, contaminated materials from diverse manufacturing operations.
Tennessee Hazardous Waste Regulations
Tennessee businesses must comply with both federal EPA regulations and state-specific requirements administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
TDEC Division of Solid Waste Management
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), specifically its Division of Solid Waste Management, administers the hazardous waste program in Tennessee. Tennessee is authorized by EPA to implement the federal hazardous waste program.
Generator Categories and Requirements
Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) generate 100 kilograms or less per month with reduced requirements.
Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) generate between 100 and 1,000 kilograms per month and must:
Obtain EPA ID Number from TDEC
Comply with waste management standards
Accumulate waste for no more than 180 days (or 270 days if more than 200 miles from disposal facility)
Use proper containers and labeling
Train employees
Use manifests
Maintain records for three years
The 270-day accumulation extension is available for qualifying SQGs.
Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) generate 1,000 kilograms or more per month with stringent requirements including 90-day accumulation limits, contingency plans, and biennial reporting.
Tennessee-Specific Requirements
Tennessee has state-specific requirements including notification, reporting, and fee requirements.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations can result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation, criminal penalties, and corrective action orders. TDEC actively enforces regulations.
Our Tennessee Hazardous Waste Disposal Process
We provide streamlined, compliant services: consultation, waste characterization, transparent pricing, proper packaging, licensed transportation, compliant disposal, comprehensive documentation, and ongoing support.
Benefits of Working With Hazardous Waste Disposal in Tennessee
Regulatory Expertise
Our team stays current with EPA and TDEC requirements.
Comprehensive Service Network
We serve clients from Memphis to Nashville, Knoxville to Chattanooga, and throughout Tennessee.
Industry Experience
With operations since 1992, we understand:
Automotive manufacturing (Nissan, VW, GM, suppliers)
Healthcare and medical research (Vanderbilt, St. Jude, healthcare systems)
Chemical manufacturing (Eastman, others)
Universities and research institutions
Food and beverage (distilleries, food processing)
All Tennessee industries
Transparent Pricing
Clear pricing with no hidden fees.
Safety First
We prioritize safety in all operations.
Environmental Responsibility
Protect Tennessee's rivers (Tennessee, Cumberland, Mississippi), Great Smoky Mountains, and natural resources.
Best Practices for Tennessee Hazardous Waste Generators
Maintain proper container management, implement employee training, manage accumulation time limits, conduct regular inspections, minimize waste generation, prepare for inspections, plan for emergencies, and maintain required records.
Geographic and Climate Considerations
Diverse Geography
East Tennessee: Appalachian Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville area
Middle Tennessee: Rolling hills, Nashville basin
West Tennessee: Mississippi River lowlands, Memphis area
Climate Impacts
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, high humidity, severe weather including tornadoes, and occasional ice storms affecting storage and transportation.
Water Resource Protection
Tennessee River, Cumberland River, Mississippi River, numerous tributaries, and groundwater aquifers require protection.
Common Tennessee Hazardous Waste Questions
Q: How do I get an EPA ID Number in Tennessee? A: Contact TDEC's Division of Solid Waste Management or use EPA's online system.
Q: Can I qualify for the 270-day accumulation extension? A: Yes, if your SQG facility is more than 200 miles from the disposal facility.
Q: How do automotive manufacturers manage high-volume waste? A: We coordinate regular scheduled pickups, provide container management, and ensure timely service to support manufacturing operations.
Q: How is chemotherapy waste from St. Jude and other facilities handled? A: Chemotherapy waste requires specialized handling and disposal. Many chemotherapy drugs are P-listed hazardous wastes with specific management requirements.
Q: What should I do if I have a spill? A: Contain if safe, protect personnel, evacuate if necessary. Contact National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) and TDEC Emergency Response (1-888-891-8332).
Q: How long must I keep records? A: Manifests and hazardous waste records must be kept for at least three years.
Industries With Specialized Needs
Automotive Manufacturing
Paint booth waste, metal finishing, high-volume coordination, battery manufacturing waste for electric vehicles.
Healthcare and Medical Research
Pharmaceutical waste including controlled substances, chemotherapy waste, research chemicals, specialized medical waste.
Chemical Manufacturing
Process waste, spent catalysts, large-volume coordination, specialty chemical waste.
Distilleries and Food Processing
Cleaning chemicals, process waste, equipment maintenance, quality control laboratory waste.
Contact Hazardous Waste Disposal for Tennessee Services
Whether you're in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or anywhere in Tennessee, we provide professional hazardous waste management services.
Phone: (800) 582-4833
Email: info@hazardouswastedisposal.com
Website: www.hazardouswastedisposal.com
Contact us for waste assessments, regulatory compliance guidance, scheduled pickup services, one-time cleanouts, emergency response, container supply, training support, and all hazardous and universal waste types.
Why Choose Hazardous Waste Disposal
Experience: Over 30 years since 1992
Compliance: Ensure all EPA and TDEC requirements are met
Nationwide Network: Serve clients throughout Tennessee and across the U.S.
Industry Knowledge: Understand automotive, healthcare, chemical manufacturing, universities, food processing, and all industries
Responsive Service: Prompt, professional responses
Transparent Pricing: Clear pricing with no hidden fees
Safety Focus: Prioritize safety in all operations
Environmental Protection: Committed to protecting Tennessee's environment
Let us handle your hazardous waste management so you can focus on your business. Contact us today at (800) 582-4833 or info@hazardouswastedisposal.com.