Materials Management Program
Materials Management Program Update
Effective August 1, TDEC’s Materials Management program will become part of the Division of Stakeholder Engagement.
This alignment strengthens TDEC’s stakeholder-focused support for waste reduction, recycling, solid waste planning, technical assistance, market development, and funding opportunities across Tennessee. It will also strengthen TDEC’s ability to support local governments, businesses, development districts, nonprofits, and other partners.
Materials Management programs and services will continue without change. Additional information will be shared soon, including opportunities for stakeholder meetings and engagement.
The Materials Management program supports Tennessee's 95 counties and solid waste planning regions through three programs: Recovered Materials, Grants Administration, and Used Oil and Problem Waste.
The Recovered Materials oversees the recycling, waste reduction (like organics), and solid waste planning activities within the State of Tennessee, and also provides an overview of Tennessee's Solid Waste Management System through the creation of the 2021 Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly and 2023 Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly.
Problem Waste provides technical assistance to the regions and counties handling problem wastes, including the used oil program, BOPAE (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze, and Electronics), household hazardous waste, conditionally exempt small quantity generator mobile events, and the waste tire program.
The third program, Grants Administration, provides financial assistance through specialized grants. Funding comes from the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is generated by the tipping fee surcharge and waste tire pre-disposal collection fee.
Where to take your household waste and recyclables:
This Page Last Updated: July 1, 2026 at 10:27 AM