Tenn. Code Ann. § 5-19-115

Any of the provisions of this chapter notwithstanding, any municipality, utility or other special district shall retain existing rights to provide such garbage and rubbish collection services or disposal services, or both, to residents and taxpayers within its jurisdiction, including any territory annexed to such jurisdiction, and the existing rights of such instrumentalities to acquire disposal sites outside the limits of their jurisdictions shall not be impaired in any wise whatsoever.