Waste Reduction and Reuse Assistance for Businesses

The Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices (OPSP) is embracing the circular economy by offering direct assistance to Tennessee industries, businesses, and organizations relating to waste reduction, recycling, and reuse. OPSP can provide technical assistance and networking with service providers and other businesses throughout the state to assist with reducing, recycling, and repurposing or reuse of discarded materials.

Recent industry surveys conducted by OPSP and other organizations, such as the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development, have shown that there is a consensus among United States companies that current sustainable practices do not go far enough. Nearly twice as many US businesses embedded sustainability in strategic decision making in 2019 as in 2018. A significant component of sustainability is the strategic and intentional management of wastes either internally or within a network of industries, service providers and materials handlers.

Most facilities that OPSP has surveyed in 2017 to 2020 all have plans to achieve zero waste to landfill within 5 years. The reduction, recycling, and reuse of material discards, liquids, hazardous or non-hazardous, and other wastes have many obstacles including vendor capabilities, lack of monetary commitment and issues with materials substitutions.

Technical Assistance

OPSP’s Business Team provides technical assistance and guidance on waste reduction, recycling, and reuse strategies for all business. For assistance with questions, please contact Vaughn Cassidy. Vaughn works primarily with Tennessee industry to assist with reduction, recycling and repurposing and reuse of discarded materials. He can provide technical assistance and industry contacts throughout the state to facilitate materials solutions, recycling or repurposing, including limited assistance with logistics and regulatory requirements.