Approximately 33% of Metro Nashville’s waste stream is construction and demolition (C&D) debris, including materials like metals, cardboard, concrete, and unpainted and untreated wood that have strong economies for beneficial reuse. As landfills reach capacity in and around Middle Tennessee, waste must be sent to landfills that are farther away, increasing costs, increasing transportation times, reducing efficiency of disposal, and increasing maintenance needed on those roadways. This makes landfilling not a long-term solution for maintaining the long-term economic growth of Middle Tennessee.
Based upon robust peer research, review of best practices, evaluation of local costs and benefits, input from a C&D Steering Committee of local industry experts, and consideration of state goals for materials management, the Waste Services Division of the Metro Water Services Department, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, has outlined a proposed ordinance to reduce construction and demolition (C&D) waste that goes to landfill from commercial construction and demolition projects. Requirements for applicable commercial projects would be established through the ordinance and enforced through Metro's building permitting process. The proposed ordinance does NOT apply to single-family, duplex, triplex, or townhome construction or demolition projects. Key components of the proposal:
- Commercial construction projects of $500,000 and greater and commercial demolition projects of $50,000 and greater would be required to divert specified C&D materials starting July 1, 2024
- Materials would be phased in over one-year intervals for diversion, starting with corrugated cardboard, clean concrete, metals, and land clearing debris for construction projects and clean concrete and metals for demolition projects
- C&D recycling facilities would be required to have a verified recovery rate and report this rate to Metro annually
- Metro government funded projects would be incentivized to design for less waste and prioritize rehabilitation and deconstruction practices, where applicable
- Enforcement of this ordinance would be administered through the Debris Management Review in Metro's permitting system for building permit issuance and use and occupancy (U&O) approval