CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN
Solid waste collection companies in the Knoxville, TN metro area: 35 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 22-person team.
- Establishments
- 35CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.7U.S. 3.2
- Rank
- 52nd of 564areas by count
The waste collection company market in Knoxville, TN
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 35 establishments classified as Solid Waste Collection (NAICS 562111) in the Knoxville, TN metro area. By establishment count the area is 52nd out of 564 areas with published figures for solid waste collection companies.
Measured against its 958,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.7 solid waste collection companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.2, so Knoxville, TN is 13.2% above the national figure.
| Measure | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 35 | 251 | 10,982 |
| Mid-March employees | 657 (high noise) | 4,571 (moderate noise) | 238,764 |
| Annual payroll | $43,977,000 (moderate noise) | $292,938,000 (moderate noise) | $16,806,608,000 |
| Employees per establishment | — | 18.2 | 21.7 |
| Payroll per employee | — | $64,086 | $70,390 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN
Of the solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN that had employees in March 2023, 53.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 43.6%). 68.8% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 17 | 53.1% | 43.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 5 | 15.6% | 17.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 15.6% | 14.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 15.6% | 13.6% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 10.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN use the phone for
Waste haulers take calls about missed pickups, dumpster rentals and billing. Customers want quick answers when a pickup is missed.
Calls a waste collection company in Knoxville, TN might handle in a typical week include:
- A business calls about adding service.
- The company calls customers about a holiday schedule.
- A customer calls about a missed pickup.
What solid waste collection companies text about
Haulers text schedule changes and delivery confirmations.
Texts sent from a local business number in Knoxville, TN have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
What a phone system costs a waste collection company in Knoxville, TN
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 22 people per establishment. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 22 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $660.00 a month and 22 on Ooma Office Pro cost $548.90. Callata comes to $439.00 a month for 22 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,652 less than RingCentral for a waste collection company in Knoxville, TN of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $439.00 | $5,268.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $418.00 | $5,016.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $506.00 | $6,072.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $548.90 | $6,586.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $594.00 | $7,128.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $660.00 | $7,920.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for solid waste collection companies in Knoxville, TN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 865 has the most, with 409 of 436 exchanges (94%). A local number lets customers in Knoxville, TN call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 865 | 409 | Eastern | 1999 | none |
| 423 | 27 | Eastern and Central | 1995 | 729 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a waste collection company in Knoxville, TN
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Knoxville, TN is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many solid waste collection companies are there in Knoxville, TN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 35 solid waste collection companies in the Knoxville, TN metro area in 2023.
What does a business phone system cost for a 22-person waste collection company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 22 users cost $660.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $548.90 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $439.00.
What area code should a waste collection company in Knoxville, TN use?
Area code 865 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 423. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a waste collection company?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.