Lawmakers in Tennessee are set to consider a bill that could revolutionize recycling in the state by requiring private-sector companies to fund a $220 million recycling program. The bill, known as the Tennessee Waste Reduction and Recycling Act, aims to address the state’s ranking of 48th for recycling and the 900,000 pounds of packaging waste sent to landfills annually. Companies with gross revenues of $1 million or more would be required to contribute to funding recycling efforts, with incentives for those that reduce packaging.
The proposed law has received support from major brands such as Nestle USA, Danone North America, Unilever United States, and Mars Inc. These companies believe that passing the bill would bring Tennessee closer to achieving ambitious packaging goals. The bill would also establish an independent nonprofit organization to oversee the state’s recycling plan, ensuring that local governments and taxpayers are not burdened with the costs.
In addition to funding household recycling pickups and new facilities, the bill would also ban packaging containing harmful chemicals by July 1, 2028, with violators facing escalating fines. The bill has garnered some GOP support, with Senators Frank Nicely and Richard Briggs among the cosponsors.
Sen. Heidi Campbell, the sponsor of the bill, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable funding to address the state’s overflowing landfills, emphasizing the importance of private-sector involvement in recycling efforts. The bill represents a significant step towards creating a more environmentally friendly future for Tennessee.
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