UC Communities receive almost a third of $1.9 million in grants to help reduce landfill waste

NASHVILLE – Upper Cumberland communities received almost a third of the $1,902,024 in Waste Reduction Grants that were just announced by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for community projects to help reduce landfill waste across Tennessee. 

Upper Cumberland grants total $603,069 with DeKalb County receiving $30,536 for a chipper; Overton County receiving $36,402 for four 40-yard recycling collection containers and four 30-yard recycling collection containers; Cookeville receiving $484,273 for a chipper; and Jackson County receiving $51,858 for recycling center infrastructure, one forklift front end loader, and 10 six-yard cardboard collection cans.

Overall, 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.

The grants announced are:

APPLICANTCOUNTYMATCH   AMOUNTGRANT     AMOUNTDESCRIPTION
Chester CountyChester$19,956$179,7873,744 radio frequency identification recycling carts
City of GoodlettsvilleDavidson$75,000$75,000One recycling truck
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TennesseeDavidson$180,000$180,000Three recycling trucks
DeKalb CountyDeKalb$7,634$30,536One chipper
Grainger CountyGrainger$12,224$110,012Eight recycling trailers, four hoppers, and one forklift
Hardeman CountyHardeman$16,263$146,365One recycling truck
Jackson CountyJackson$5,762$51,858Recycling center infrastructure, one forklift front end loader, 10 six-yard cardboard collection cans
Lawrence CountyLawrence$32,000$128,000One recycling truck
Marshall CountyMarshall$86,100$200,900One recycling truck
Obion CountyObion$13,720$32,013One recycling truck
Overton CountyOverton$9,100$36,402Four 40-yard recycling collection containers, four 30-yard recycling collection containers
City of CookevillePutnam$207,545$484,273One chipper
Scott CountyScott$19,275$173,479One recycling truck
Union County Solid Waste AuthorityUnion$8,158$73,418Four recycling trailers, one compactor, two 40-yard receiver boxes

Michelle Price is the former managing editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and can be reached via email. Send an email.

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