2025-2035 Solid Waste Management Plan

Important Updates: State and Regional Solid Waste Plans

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is committed to developing a strong, actionable Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan (State Plan) that provides clear direction for Tennessee’s solid waste system and supports regional planning efforts. TDEC’s goal is for the State Plan to guide decisions regarding how communities across the state handle solid waste disposal, reduction, reuse, and recycling.

Based on recent legislative developments, TDEC will be extending the timeline to finalize the State Plan and regional solid waste management plans (Regional Plans).

Background

Tennessee’s solid waste planning framework is established in state law:

• Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) 68-211-603 requires TDEC to develop a statewide solid waste management plan (State Plan)
• T.C.A. 68-211-813 requires each solid waste planning region to develop its own regional solid waste management plan (Regional Plan)
• T.C.A. 68-211-815 requires that each Regional Plan be: 
  • Consistent with the statewide solid waste management plan (State Plan)
  • Consistent with T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 211, Part 8
  • Consistent with all applicable laws and regulations promulgated by TDEC

This structure establishes a coordinated planning process in which the State Plan provides direction, and Regional Plans are developed in alignment with that framework.

Why the Timeline is Being Extended

A recent statutory change aligns the State Plan, TDEC regulations, and regional planning processes to ensure consistency across regions. More specifically, the change:

• Clarifies that TDEC is responsible for approving or disapproving Regional Plans based on compliance with statute;
• Directs that TDEC promulgate rules establishing criteria for review of Regional Plans, with rulemaking required by December 31, 2027;
• Requires solid waste planning regions to submit their plans to TDEC for review by July 1, 2028; and

New Timeline

• November 2026: TDEC publishes the State Plan
• January 2027: Regional Planning Grants open
• April 2027: Grant contracts with counties executed
• June 2027: New rules published  Prior to this date, TDEC will engage the regions on the draft rules, including holding a public hearing and public comment period to receive feedback
• July 1, 2028: Regions submit their Regional Plans to TDEC 

TDEC’s goal is to ensure regions have adequate time to develop and submit their Regional Plans to TDEC.

• This timeline is subject to change as work on the State Plan, rulemaking, and regional planning process continues.
• If it becomes apparent that one or more timeline milestones cannot be met, TDEC may adjust the schedule to better support successful regional planning efforts.
• TDEC will communicate any timeline changes in advance.

What This Means

Extending the timeline will allow TDEC to:

• Ensure alignment between the State Plan, statute and rulemaking, and implementation tools;
• Provide better guidance to regions as they develop their required Regional Plans;
• Use stakeholder feedback received so far to update the State Plan such that it is practical, durable, and clearly defines TDEC’s role in implementation;
• Give regions more time to understand what is required in their Regional Plans and extend the timeline for submitting them to TDEC; and
• Revise the schedule for Regional Plan development grants to align with updated requirements and planning timelines.

What Is Not Changing

• Work completed to date will continue to inform the final State Plan
• TDEC remains committed to stakeholder engagement throughout the process

Next Steps

TDEC will:

• Continue refining the State Plan to strengthen its implementation framework
• Coordinate State Plan development with ongoing rulemaking efforts
• Initiate a series of meetings with counties and regional stakeholders to
  • Provide updates,
  • Discuss the revised timeline, and
  • Explain the new law and associated regulatory requirements and expectations, including how they will affect the development of Regional Plans