Tennessee Statewide Rule
Tennessee's 25% Statewide Waste Reduction and Recycling Goal
Key Facts
- Reduction goal
- 25% per capita by weight
- Applies to
- Each municipal solid waste region
- Recycling credit
- 75% marketed within 12 months
- Agency
- TDEC / Control Board
- Household mandate
- None statewide
Summary
Tennessee sets a statewide goal to cut per-capita municipal solid waste sent to landfills and incinerators by 25 percent, enforced against each of the state's municipal solid waste regions rather than individual households, with recycling counting only once the recovered materials are actually marketed.
The goal of the state is to reduce by twenty-five percent (25%) the amount of solid waste disposed of at the municipal solid waste disposal facilities and incinerators, as measured on a per capita basis within Tennessee by weight. The goal shall also apply to each municipal solid waste region... Recycling constitutes a method of waste reduction so long as the recovered materials are marketed for recycling, or are stored for recycling at a solid waste management facility and at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the stored material must be marketed within the succeeding twelve (12) months.
Full Breakdown
Under Tenn. Code Ann. 68-211-861 and the implementing rule Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-11-01-.09, the goal is to reduce by 25 percent the solid waste disposed at Class I municipal facilities and incinerators, measured per capita by weight. The goal binds each of Tennessee's municipal solid waste regions, not individual facilities or residents. Recycling counts toward the goal only when recovered materials are marketed for recycling, or stored with at least 75 percent marketed within twelve months. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Underground Storage Tanks and Solid Waste Disposal Control Board administer the program.
Violations & Penalties
Regions, counties, and municipalities that miss the 25 percent goal and fail a favorable qualitative assessment by the department may face sanctions from the Underground Storage Tanks and Solid Waste Disposal Control Board. There is no per-household recycling fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee require residents to recycle?
How is the 25 percent goal measured?
When does recycling count toward the goal?
Sources
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