Why has junk removal gotten more expensive in Nashville?

Nashville's waste disposal landscape changed significantly starting around 2022. WM's Southern Services C&D landfill — the only commercial C&D facility in Davidson County — stopped accepting third-party haulers to preserve capacity. In September 2023, the TN Court of Appeals denied their expansion permit. This forces every independent hauler to drive to surrounding counties (Williamson, Sumner, Rutherford, Wilson, Cheatham), adding transport time and higher tipping fees to larger jobs.

What is the Nashville Waste Crisis?

The Nashville Waste Crisis refers to the collapse of commercial C&D disposal options in Davidson County after WM's Southern Services landfill banned third-party contractors and had its expansion denied by courts in September 2023. All independent haulers must now route C&D debris to surrounding counties, increasing costs and driving time significantly.

What are current landfill tipping fees in Middle Tennessee?

Rates vary by county: Sumner County Resource Authority $75/ton in-county ($85/ton out-of-county); Williamson County Landfill $75/ton; Cheatham County Solid Waste $77/ton; Middle Point Landfill (Rutherford County) $99/ton minimum; Wilson County $18/cu yd C&D / $100/ton shingles; Robertson County $65/ton in-county ($75/ton out); Montgomery County $48/ton over 2,500 lbs.

Do all counties charge for mattress disposal?

Yes — all counties in our service area now charge mattress disposal fees. Williamson County charges $20/mattress and $20/box spring (since April 1, 2024). Montgomery County charges $10 each. Sumner County charges separately for mattresses AND box springs following the April 2024 facility fire. These surcharges are factored into our estimates on any job involving mattresses.

Do you serve rural areas and small towns?

Yes. Based in Orlinda, TN — right on the Tennessee-Kentucky border — we regularly serve communities that larger national franchises skip. Our service area covers Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky including communities in Robertson, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford, Cheatham, Davidson, and Montgomery Counties in TN, and Warren, Simpson, Logan, and Allen Counties in KY.

FAQ — Junk Removal Pricing, Scheduling & Local Disposal Fees

Pricing & Estimates

How much does junk removal cost?

Most jobs run $75–$600+. Pricing is volume-based — you only pay for the space your load takes in our truck. Factors: total volume, weight (heavy C&D debris costs more due to rising landfill tipping fees across Middle TN), item type (mattresses, hot tubs, and tires carry disposal surcharges), and access difficulty. We always quote upfront before we lift a finger.

What are the disposal surcharges I should know about?

Some items carry per-item disposal fees set by the county landfill — not by us. We pass these through at cost:

Mattresses: $10–$20 each depending on county
Box springs: Charged separately at facilities that distinguish them (including Sumner County post-fire and Williamson County)
Shingles: Up to $100/ton at some facilities (Wilson County)
Freon appliances: Must be degassed by a certified tech before disposal — we'll advise
Tires: Charged separately at most facilities

How are estimates given?

Free on-site estimates for larger jobs — price is confirmed before any work begins. For smaller, straightforward jobs, we can give a ballpark over the phone or via photo. You're never locked into anything until you approve the quote.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, check, and all major credit/debit cards. Payment is collected on-site after the job is complete.

Scheduling & Availability

Do you offer same-day service?

Yes, subject to availability. Call 615-881-2505 by mid-morning and we'll do our best to fit you in the same day. Next-day slots are almost always available.

Do you work weekends?

Weekend availability is offered — call to confirm open slots. We try to accommodate weekend requests whenever our schedule allows.

What's your cancellation policy?

No-hassle cancellation — just give us a heads-up as early as possible so we can offer the slot to another customer. No cancellation fees for reasonable notice.

What We Haul — and What We Don't

What items do you haul?

We haul almost anything, including:

Furniture (sofas, beds, dressers, tables)
Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers — freon must be removed first)
Electronics, TVs, computers
Mattresses and box springs (disposal fees apply)
Yard waste and brush
Construction and renovation debris
Hot tubs (disassembled on-site)
Sheds (demolished on-site)
Garage, estate, and eviction contents
Bulk cardboard
Scrap metal — we also buy copper and aluminum at competitive rates

What items do you NOT haul?

We don't haul hazardous materials. These items require county hazardous waste drop-off events (most counties hold them quarterly):

Wet or liquid paint
Car batteries
Propane or oxygen tanks
Asbestos-containing materials
Biohazard or medical waste
Freon appliances without a degassing certificate
Motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals

Call us if you're unsure about a specific item — we'll give you a straight answer.

Do you donate or recycle?

Yes. We sort loads and divert usable items to local donation centers and recyclers when possible. We also buy scrap copper and aluminum at competitive rates — ask about this when you call.

The Nashville Waste Crisis & Local Tipping Fees

This section explains why disposal costs have risen across Middle Tennessee — and why we're transparent about every fee on your estimate.

Nashville Waste Crisis — Southern Services Landfill (2022–present)

Waste Management's Southern Services C&D landfill in Bordeaux — the only commercial construction and demolition landfill in Davidson County — quietly stopped accepting third-party haulers around 2022 to preserve remaining capacity for WM's own fleet. In September 2023, the Tennessee Court of Appeals denied their expansion permit. Without expansion and without third-party access, every independent junk hauler in Nashville must drive to Williamson, Sumner, Rutherford, Wilson, or Cheatham County — adding both transport time and higher tipping fees. WM has announced a planned recycling transfer facility, but it doesn't solve C&D disposal for commercial haulers in the near term.

Sumner County Resource Authority Fire — April 2024

On April 14, 2024, a hydraulic hose burst caused a fire in the tipping area at the Resource Authority of Sumner County. The facility closed for repairs. Since reopening, Sumner County now charges separately for both mattresses AND box springs — not just mattresses. Current rates: $75/ton in-county, $85/ton out-of-county. This facility serves Gallatin, Hendersonville, Portland, and all of Sumner County.

Middle Point Landfill Capacity Crisis — Rutherford County

Middle Point Landfill on Landfill Road (Rutherford County) serves 34 counties across Middle Tennessee. It is projected to reach capacity within 4–6 years. The Rutherford County Commission has proposed capping the amount of out-of-county waste (particularly from Davidson County) it accepts to extend the landfill's life. Current gate rate: $99/ton minimum — we maintain a commercial account with volume-based rate reductions. When Middle Point closes or limits intake, haulers across the region will have fewer disposal options and prices will rise further.

Williamson County Mattress & Box Spring Policy — April 2024

Williamson County Landfill began charging $20 per mattress and $20 per box spring as of April 1, 2024. The county also changed its cardboard recycling program in August 2025 to cardboard-only drop-offs. At $75/ton, Williamson County's general tipping rate is the highest in our primary Tennessee service area. We factor this into every estimate for Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Nolensville jobs.

County Tipping Fee Table (Current as of Early 2026)

County	Facility	Rate	Mattress / Box Spring
Davidson, TN	Omohundro (residential only — commercial routed out-of-county)	$20/2 cu yd max	Varies
Sumner, TN	Resource Authority of Sumner County	$75/ton in-county · $85/ton out-of-county	Charged separately (post-fire policy)
Williamson, TN	Williamson County Landfill	$75/ton	$20 each (eff. April 2024)
Montgomery, TN	Bi-County Solid Waste	$48/ton (>2,500 lbs)	$10 each
Rutherford, TN	Middle Point Landfill	$99/ton minimum (volume discount acct)	Charged separately
Wilson, TN	Wilson County Landfill	$18/cu yd C&D · $100/ton shingles	Charged separately
Cheatham, TN	Cheatham County Solid Waste	$77/ton (eff. July 2025)	Charged separately
Robertson, TN	Robertson County	$65/ton in-county · $75/ton out-of-county	Charged separately
Logan, KY	Logan County Solid Waste	$38/ton (eff. Sept 2024)	Charged separately
Simpson, KY	Simpson Co. Convenience Center	$45/yard C&D · $25 large truck load	Charged separately
Allen, KY	Allen County Landfill	$51.50/ton	Charged separately
Warren, KY	Benson Valley Landfill	Commercial tonnage (quote required)	Charged separately

Tarping Law

Tennessee law requires all loads to be covered. Uncovered load fines range $20–$50 per violation. We tarp every load — it's the professional standard and we never skip it.

Prohibited at All Facilities

Wet paint, car batteries, propane/oxygen tanks, asbestos, biohazard/medical waste, freon appliances (without degassing cert), motor oil, pool chemicals, pesticides. Most counties hold quarterly hazardous waste drop-off events for residents.

About Junk Busters LLC

Are Junk Busters licensed and insured?

Yes. Junk Busters LLC is fully licensed and insured. All crew members are background-checked. We operate with a two-person minimum crew on every job — no solo operators, no fly-by-night operations.

Where are you based and what areas do you serve?

We're based in Orlinda, TN — right on the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Our service area covers the full Nashville metro area, Clarksville, and Bowling Green KY, plus surrounding communities. We actively serve Robertson, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford, Cheatham, Davidson, and Montgomery Counties in Tennessee, and Warren, Simpson, Logan, and Allen Counties in Kentucky. We make the drive to communities the big national franchises skip.

Do you buy scrap metal?

Yes. We buy copper, aluminum, and brass at competitive rates. We come to your location, weigh on-site, and pay cash the same day. No trips to the scrap yard required.

Ready to get rid of the junk? Junk Busters LLC serves Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky with upfront pricing and crews that show up when they say they will. Call for a free estimate — we'll tell you exactly what the job costs before we start.

Get a Free Estimate Call 615-881-2505