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Annual Progress Report

County Technical Assistance Map

Please refer to this map to determine the best point of contact for technical assistance. All Recovered Materials staff would be happy to help you regardless of regional assignment. 

All Recovered Materials Map

Overview of the Reporting Process

Like many other states, Tennessee uses Re-TRAC Connect, a web based service that does not require specialized software to be installed on the user’s computer, in order to request and collect data for annual reports. This service simplifies the process of submitting data for the APR and allows users to readily generate charts and graphs and create customized reports so they can monitor program and trends.

Why Local Solid Waste Management Reporting Matters

The 1991 Solid Waste Management Plan identified the following solid waste issues: uncertainty regarding solid waste capacity, lack of a materials management approach (including lack of capacity in recycling collection and processing), inadequate garbage collection infrastructure, and lack of information about the cost of solid waste management. Reporting has played and will continue to play a key role in addressing all of these issues. Reporting allows TDEC to:

  • Assess how regional plans tie into the State Plan
  • Better understand how regions are implementing their plans
  • Determine which regions are meeting established goals
  • Understand why regions may not be meeting current goals
  • Better set goals and expectations
  • Consider changes in waste management costs and waste capacity needs

Background Information

Solid Waste Management Act of 1991

The Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 states that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) “shall make available on its website, by January 1 of each year, the forms and information to be used by the regions to file an Annual Progress Report (APR).” It also states that “each region shall submit the annual report to the commissioner by March 31 for the immediately preceding calendar year…which will include data on the following: collection, recycling, transportation, disposal, public costs, and any other information that the board, by rule, deems relevant to solid waste planning and management.” Furthermore, regions are also required to submit an APR on the implementation of their approved Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Regional Plans in conjunction with the annual report.

Ultimately, each MSW Region is responsible for all waste streams and how they are managed in the region.  County control and responsibility of specific waste streams and proportions are defined by the region’s Solid Waste Plan and approved by the region’s Solid Waste Board.  If municipalities operate solid waste systems, they are responsible for waste in their jurisdiction; otherwise, the county is responsible.

Under the recently released TDEC 2015 - 2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan (the State Plan)[4], TDEC considers all municipal and county governments that operate solid waste systems in their jurisdictions critical partners for implementation.  In fact, the State Plan is intended to provide local governments with various strategies and tactics that can be evaluated for adoption and implementation in their respective jurisdictions.  TDEC assumes many of these strategies and tactics will be incorporated into Solid Waste Regional Plans.  Currently, TDEC assists local governments within the regions with infrastructure development and technical assistance.

Local Solid Waste Management Reporting and Planning Guidance

Information for the 2019 Annual Progress Report for Solid Waste can be entered at Re-TRAC Connect. Additionally, the Local Solid Waste Management Planning and Guidance document serves to assist regions in further understanding of reporting, the reporting requirements, and the current reporting process.