Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Proposed Waste Reduction Rules

Legislation passed in 2007 called for a review of all aspects of Tennessee’s management of solid waste disposal and solid waste reduction efforts, and further authorized the setting of future goals and establishment of methods for measuring those goals.

To assist in this effort, the Department of Environment and Conservation sought the advice of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, which convened a twenty-three (23) member Waste Reduction Task Force comprised of solid waste professionals from county and municipal governments, industry, and environmental organizations to look into Tennessee’s management of solid waste and recycle material streams. The mission of the Task Force was defined by the following objectives: (1) developing recommendations for rules to update, change, or revise the state’s waste reduction goal, (2) defining the methodology for measuring a new waste reduction goal, and (3) developing alternatives for reducing waste. To complete these three objectives, the Task Force met nine (9) times between September 2007 and May 2008, expediting its assignment by establishing four work groups: (a) Waste Reduction Goal and Methodology, (b) Public and Private Participation, (c) Government Organization Roles, and (d) Infrastructure and Financial Development. Each of these groups utilized break-out sessions and conference calls to discuss and formulate their ideas and suggestions before presenting them to the full Task Force.

A draft of the Task Force’s recommended changes was presented to the Advisory Committee at its meetings in June and July 2008, and to the Disposal Control Board in September 2008. During the period from September 2008 to June 2009, the Department continued to receive comments and re-visited certain provisions in the draft rule language. On June 2, 2009, a revised draft rule package was presented to the Disposal Control Board and was approved to go to public comment. The public hearing meeting was conducted in Nashville and transmitted over the Internet for wider audience participation. Comments were received through the end of September and were reviewed during the following months. Additional meetings were conducted with various stakeholders and further revisions in the language were made.

The Disposal Control Board met on February 2, 2010 and voted to continue consideration of the rules revision during a special meeting to be scheduled in March 2010.

 

For more information about Planning, Reporting, and Waste Reduction, please contact us.