Recycling Market Development and Diversion Advisory Council

Council Characteristics

The Recycling Market Development and Diversion Advisory Council advises the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Governor, and the General Assembly on matters related to the development and enhancement of markets for recyclable materials in Tennessee. The Council was created by Public Chapter 1096 (2026) and is attached to TDEC for administrative purposes only. It is advisory in nature and does not have regulatory, fee, taxing, or rulemaking authority.

What the Council Does

The Council's statutory duties include, but are not limited to:

• Studying and assessing the current state of Tennessee's recycling marketplace, including executive branch functions and private industry needs and capabilities.
• Assisting TDEC programs and the Office of Cooperative Marketing for Recyclables in enhancing and expanding markets for recyclable materials.
• Advising TDEC on recycling best practices, including innovative technology implementation, facility designs, and implementation by counties and municipalities.
• Identifying strategies to recruit, retain, or expand businesses and industries across the recycling value chain in Tennessee.
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen regionalization efforts to improve recycling access, increase volumes of marketable recyclable materials, and support recycling market development.
• Researching market needs, opportunities to scale recycling activities, best practices from other states, and industry demand in Tennessee and the southeastern United States.
• Advising on standardized educational materials for state and local officials to use in public awareness efforts.
• Developing and submitting recommendations for future executive or legislative action related to recycling market development.
• Studying other issues directed by the Advisory Task Force on Solid Waste and regularly reporting to the task force as directed by its co-chairs.

Council Members & Terms

The Recycling Market Development and Diversion Advisory Council is an 18-member advisory body established by the Tennessee General Assembly to advise TDEC, the Governor, and the General Assembly on recycling market development and diversion. The Council includes representatives from industry, local government, state agencies, conservation organizations, and the legislature.

Council members serve in accordance with the terms established by T.C.A. § 68-211-827. Terms begin on July 1 and end on June 30. Members continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remaineder of the unexpired term.

• Governor-Appointed Members (Initial Appointments); three (3) members serve a one-year term, three (3) members serve two-year terms, three (3) members serve three-year term, and four (4) members serve four-year terms. Following initial appointments, all gubernatorial appointments are for four-year terms.
• Advisory Task Force on Solid Waste representative; serves a four-year term.
• Ex-officio members; the Commissioners (or their designees) from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and Tennessee Department of Agriculture, as well as the House and Senate members, serve consistent with the terms of their respective offices.

Past Meetings