The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced $1,902,024 in Waste Reduction Grants for community projects to help reduce landfill waste across Tennessee.
The grants go to 14 different recipients, with funds provided for equipment ranging from trucks and chippers to recycling carts and containers. The state’s intent with the grants is to support local efforts toward achieving waste reduction and recycling goals. Many of the grants will benefit rural areas in Tennessee.
“These grants help communities approach solid waste management to fit their specific needs,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “We congratulate the communities on these grants, and we are pleased to see their dedication to this issue. With this approach, we can make a real difference in waste reduction across our state.”
The Waste Reduction Grants are part of TDEC’s 2015-2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan, which contains specific objectives that will help communities reduce waste. The grants meet objectives to increase recycling access and participation, increase the diversion of organics and support new waste reduction technology. The 2015-2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan can be found at https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/solid-waste/2015-2025-solid-waste-management-plan.html.
The Waste Reduction Grants are authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and are supported by the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund, which is administered by TDEC. The fund receives revenues from a state surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in landfills and from a fee on new tires sold in the state.
| APPLICANT | COUNTY | MATCH AMOUNT | GRANT AMOUNT | DESCRIPTION |
| Chester County | Chester | $19,956 | $179,787 | 3,744 radio frequency identification recycling carts |
| City of Goodlettsville | Davidson | $75,000 | $75,000 | One recycling truck |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee | Davidson | $180,000 | $180,000 | Three recycling trucks |
| DeKalb County | DeKalb | $7,634 | $30,536 | One chipper |
| Grainger County | Grainger | $12,224 | $110,012 | Eight recycling trailers, four hoppers, and one forklift |
| Hardeman County | Hardeman | $16,263 | $146,365 | One recycling truck |
| Jackson County | Jackson | $5,762 | $51,858 | Recycling center infrastructure, one forklift front end loader, 10 six-yard cardboard collection cans |
| Lawrence County | Lawrence | $32,000 | $128,000 | One recycling truck |
| Marshall County | Marshall | $86,100 | $200,900 | One recycling truck |
| Obion County | Obion | $13,720 | $32,013 | One recycling truck |
| Overton County | Overton | $9,100 | $36,402 | Four 40-yard recycling collection containers, four 30-yard recycling collection containers |
| City of Cookeville | Putnam | $207,545 | $484,273 | One chipper |
| Scott County | Scott | $19,275 | $173,479 | One recycling truck |
| Union County Solid Waste Authority | Union | $8,158 | $73,418 | Four recycling trailers, one compactor, two 40-yard receiver boxes |
