News Summary
The City of Bristol has moved its recycling center from Holston View Elementary School to 1109 King College Road following a significant fire at Patriot Recycling. The center will continue to accept paper, cardboard, and plastics, ensuring residents maintain recycling services despite recent challenges. The fire, which involved rubber materials, prompted a large emergency response but fortunately resulted in no reported injuries. Local authorities are monitoring air quality and advising residents with respiratory issues to stay indoors.
Bristol, Tennessee – The City of Bristol has officially relocated its recycling center from Holston View Elementary School to a new location at 1109 King College Road. The recycling bins are now positioned in the lot adjacent to the former Bristol Tennessee Fire Department Station No. 2. This move comes in response to a significant fire that occurred at Patriot Recycling, which necessitated changes in local recycling services.
Officials confirmed that the recycling services available at the new location will remain unchanged. Residents can continue to drop off designated materials, including paper, cardboard, and plastic. They are reminded that all recyclables must be clean and dry before being placed in the bins to ensure effective processing.
A major fire broke out at Patriot Recycling located on North Industrial Drive at 3:06 PM on June 12, 2025. The facility specializes in processing old tires into crumb rubber, tire-derived aggregate, and other materials. The blaze quickly expanded, prompting immediate responses from the Bristol Fire Department and police, in addition to 14 other fire departments across the region.
Bristol’s Director of Community Relations stated that efforts to suppress the fire were expected to take several days. Preliminary investigations pointed towards a potential malfunction in the equipment at Patriot Recycling as the cause of the fire. It is believed that burning rubber ignited while traveling along a conveyor belt and subsequently ignited piles of material stored outside the facility.
Tire fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish, often producing large amounts of hazardous smoke, pyrolytic hydrocarbons, and ash that can pose significant health and environmental risks. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection to this incident. Local authorities, including the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department and Sullivan County Emergency Management, along with state regulatory agencies, have not issued any air quality advisories related to the fire. However, residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions have been advised to exercise caution and remain indoors as a precaution.
The smoke from the fire was visible from as far away as Kingsport and Blountville, resulting in heightened community awareness and concern. Firefighting crews have been utilizing considerable quantities of water to combat the flames, and volunteer departments have been called in to aid efforts due to strain on the city’s water system.
Firefighters expect the blaze to smolder overnight, with teams remaining on-site for potentially several days to monitor and manage the situation. The emergency response led to congested traffic on Weaver Pike, particularly as it leads to Industrial Park Road.
The relocation of the recycling center is part of the city’s efforts to ensure continuity in waste management services amid the ongoing emergency. Municipal staff will continue to monitor situations and maintain communications on any further developments regarding both the fire and recycling services available to residents.
More information will be provided as it becomes available, and residents are encouraged to stay informed through official city channels.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Multi-Vehicle Crash Closes U.S. Route 11E in Bluff City
Sullivan County Commission Reduces Proposed Property Tax Increase
East Tennessee: A Year-Round Outdoor Paradise
Bristol City Council Rejects Proposed Property Tax Increase
Bristol City Council Rejects Property Tax Increase
Bristol City Council Faces Unrest Over Proposed Tax Increase
Bristol City Manager Responds to Budget Concerns
Bristol Tire Recycling Facility Fire Investigated
No Kings Day Protest in Kingsport Highlights Democratic Values
Bristol City Council Rescinds Baseball Stadium Agreement
Additional Resources
- WJHL News: Recycling Center Relocation
- Wikipedia: Recycling
- Knox News: Tire Recycling Plant Fire
- Google Search: Tire Recycling Plant Fire
- WCYB News: Fire Response
- Google Scholar: Tire Fire Hazards
- Herald Courier: Bristol Fire Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tire Fire
- WCYB News: Patriot Recycling Fire
- Google News: Bristol Tire Recycling Fire
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
