Dive Brief:
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has awarded almost $5 million for the state’s recycling, landfill reduction, composting, and waste oil infrastructure and equipment. Nearly $2.3 million has been granted through 2016 for recycling expenses, waste reduction, and used oil projects, while $2,486,303 was awarded for composting equipment and infrastructure.
- Recipients must match the state grant on a sliding scale, with a local match of 10-50% required for recycling grants, based on factors such as per capita income and property values in the jurisdiction receiving services, according to Waste Management World.
- Recycling, waste reduction, and composting are funded by a state surcharge on solid waste disposed in landfills and a fee on new tires sold in the state. Used oil grants are funded from a $0.02 fee collected for every quart of oil sold.
Dive Insight:
Tennessee is investing in these solid waste management efforts to support counties, cities, non-profit recycling organizations, and solid waste authorities in exceeding the goals established in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991. Ultimately, this means encouraging recycling and diverting trash from Tennessee landfills.
The state realizes the way to get stakeholders in line with its solid waste and materials management goals is to provide them with the means to do it. Tennessee has made a priority of helping local municipalities with complicated and expensive projects that could otherwise cost more later.
States like Massachusetts, West Virginia, and recently Connecticut have awarded grants to boost recycling and other waste management practices in their states.
"These projects will provide opportunities for counties and municipalities across the state to enhance their waste reduction and recycling infrastructure," TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau said. "The recycling equipment grants especially assist local governments in avoiding landfill costs, resulting in economic advantages for communities and the state."
