Nashville Donation Centers & Recycling Guide
Your complete guide to responsibly donating, recycling, and disposing of unwanted items across Middle Tennessee. Support local charities while protecting our environment.
Looking to declutter your Nashville home while making a positive impact on the community and environment? This comprehensive guide shows you exactly where to donate, recycle, and responsibly dispose of furniture, clothing, electronics, and household goods across Middle Tennessee. Whether you're downsizing, moving, or simply clearing out your garage, you'll find the right solution for every item.
Why Donating and Recycling Matters in Nashville
Nashville generates thousands of tons of waste annually, but much of what ends up in landfills could be reused or recycled. Donating usable items supports local charities that provide job training, housing assistance, and community services. Recycling electronics and hazardous materials protects our environment and keeps harmful substances out of landfills. When you choose to donate or recycle instead of simply throwing items away, you're contributing to a more sustainable Nashville while helping neighbors in need.
Furniture & Household Goods Donation Centers
Goodwill Middle Tennessee
Goodwill operates multiple donation centers across Nashville and offers free pickup service for larger items. Their Nashville Donation Express Center at 3200 Gallatin Pike accepts furniture, electronics, clothing, and household goods in good condition. Goodwill uses donation proceeds to fund job training programs and employment services for Middle Tennesseans facing barriers to employment.
What they accept: Couches, chairs, dining sets, bookshelves, working electronics, clothing, shoes, housewares, and small appliances in good condition.
Pickup service: Schedule free pickup at giveit2goodwill.org/pickups
Arc Pickup Nashville
Arc Pickup provides convenient doorstep collection for household items and furniture, with all funds staying local to support programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their service covers the Greater Nashville area and makes donating as easy as scheduling a pickup online.
What they accept: Furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, and household items
How to donate: Visit arcpickup.com to schedule a free pickup
ThriftSmart
ThriftSmart offers both free pickup service and drop-off bins throughout Nashville. Donations support local charities and community organizations. Their convenient locations make it easy to drop off items whenever it fits your schedule.
What they accept: Clothes, furniture, home appliances, and household goods
Nashville Rescue Mission
The Nashville Rescue Mission accepts donations of food, clothing, toiletries, and household items to support their programs for individuals experiencing homelessness. Their Gifts in Kind program ensures donations directly benefit those in need across Middle Tennessee.
Salvation Army Nashville
The Salvation Army operates multiple donation programs supporting housing, rehabilitation, and family services. Their Nashville locations accept a wide range of items and offer pickup service for larger donations.
Specialized Donation Centers
YWCA Nashville - Dress for Success
Located at 1608 Woodmont Boulevard, Dress for Success accepts professional clothing donations to help women achieve economic independence. Donations are by appointment only and directly support women entering or re-entering the workforce.
What they accept: Professional women's clothing, shoes, and accessories in excellent condition
Community Resource Center
The Community Resource Center at 218 Omohundro Place accepts donations Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm. They provide essential items to families in need across Middle Tennessee.
Location: 218 Omohundro Place, Nashville TN 37210
Electronics Recycling in Nashville
Metro Convenience Centers (FREE for Davidson County Residents)
Davidson County residents can recycle electronics for free at the East and Omohundro Convenience Centers. Simply bring a valid Davidson County ID and drop off your old electronics during operating hours. This is the most cost-effective option for Nashville residents.
What they accept: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, phones, tablets, and other electronic waste
Tri-Star Electronics Recycling
Tri-Star Electronics Recycling at 3350 Ambrose Avenue offers professional electronics recycling services Monday through Thursday from 7am to 4pm. They handle everything from computers to large electronic equipment with a focus on data security and environmental responsibility.
Location: 3350 Ambrose Ave, Nashville, TN 37207 | Phone: (615) 265-8101
City eWaste LLC (Franklin)
Located just off I-65 in Franklin at 1209 Lakeview Drive Suite 100, City eWaste offers convenient drop-off with most items free or just $1 to recycle. This is an excellent option for Williamson County residents.
Cost: Most items free or $1
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Metro Nashville provides free hazardous waste disposal for residents at the East and Ezell Pike Convenience Centers. Residents can bring up to 15 gallons or 100 pounds of household hazardous waste at no charge with valid Davidson County identification.
What qualifies as hazardous waste: Paint, chemicals, pesticides, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and cleaning products
Cost: FREE for Metro residents (up to 15 gallons or 100 pounds)
Quick Reference: Where to Take Common Items
| Item Type | Best Donation/Recycling Option |
|---|---|
| Furniture (good condition) | Goodwill, Arc Pickup, ThriftSmart, Salvation Army |
| Clothing & Shoes | Goodwill, ThriftSmart, Salvation Army |
| Professional Women's Clothing | YWCA Dress for Success (by appointment) |
| Electronics | Metro Convenience Centers (FREE), Tri-Star, City eWaste |
| Household Goods | Community Resource Center, Safe Haven, Nashville Rescue Mission |
| Hazardous Waste | East or Ezell Pike Convenience Centers (FREE for Metro residents) |
| Large Quantities | Music City Removal for pickup and proper disposal |
What If You Have Too Much to Donate or Recycle Yourself?
Sometimes decluttering projects generate more items than you can realistically transport to donation centers or recycling facilities. Estate cleanouts, whole-home downsizing, or large renovation projects often involve hundreds of items that need sorting, hauling, and proper disposal.
That's where professional junk removal services become invaluable. At Music City Removal, we handle the entire process for you—sorting items for donation, recycling what we can, and responsibly disposing of the rest. We work directly with Nashville donation centers and recycling facilities to ensure your unwanted items benefit the community and environment whenever possible.
Our eco-friendly approach includes:
- Donating usable furniture and household goods to local Nashville charities
- Recycling electronics, metal, and other materials at certified facilities
- Minimizing landfill waste through responsible sorting and disposal
- Providing documentation for tax-deductible donations when requested
Tips for Successful Donations
Check condition requirements. Most donation centers only accept items in good, working condition. Torn clothing, broken furniture, and non-functional electronics usually cannot be donated.
Call ahead for large items. If you're donating furniture or appliances, contact the organization first to confirm they can accept your specific items and schedule pickup if available.
Get a receipt for tax deductions. Many donations are tax-deductible. Always ask for a receipt and document what you donated for your tax records.
Clean items before donating. Wash clothing, wipe down furniture, and ensure items are presentable. Donation centers appreciate receiving items that are ready to sell or distribute.
Know what can't be donated. Mattresses, car seats, cribs, and items with safety recalls are typically not accepted due to safety regulations.
Making Nashville Greener, One Donation at a Time
Every item you donate or recycle instead of sending to a landfill makes a difference. Nashville's donation centers and recycling facilities make it easy to declutter responsibly while supporting local charities and protecting our environment. Whether you're tackling a small closet cleanout or a major estate project, you now have the resources to ensure your unwanted items find their best possible destination.
Need help with a larger cleanout project? Contact Music City Removal for professional junk removal services that prioritize donation and recycling. We'll handle the heavy lifting while you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your items are being put to good use.
Last updated: February 2026. Donation center hours and policies may change. Always call ahead to confirm acceptance of specific items and current operating hours.