In December 2019, Nashville’s Solid Waste Region Board approved a Solid Waste Master Plan to lead the region in achieving 90% diversion of trash from landfill by reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting. The plan was then adopted by Metro Council and includes the following goals:
According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee residents generate nearly 32% more waste on average than other Americans. Here in Nashville and Davidson County, over 80% of our waste goes to a landfill, and that amount has been increasing over the years.
Relying on landfilling has financial, environmental, and social costs and is not a sustainable solution to the waste we generate.
The Waste Reduction Hierarchy orders waste reduction strategies from the most effective to the least effective at preventing pollution, conserving energy, and preserving our natural resources.
1. Rethink, Redesign, Refuse - Prevent waste from being generated.
2. Reduce - Reduce the amount of waste we generate.
3. Reuse - Reuse materials through repair, donation, or finding new use.
4. Recycle, Compost - Recycle and compost to create new products.
5. Recover Energy - Recover materials to create energy.
6. Landfill - Considered an unacceptable strategy for Zero Waste, but is the last resort if material does not have a higher and better use.
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