HB 1345/SB 1277 passed by the General Assembly funds a much needed solid waste study by the Civil engineering Department of Tennessee State University. Components include:


   1. Diversion of Class IV Construction and Demolition Waste.
   2. Nature and amount of hazardous waste in the solid waste stream.
   3. How to use raw materials in the waste stream for business.
   4. Study states with regulations on these practices.
   5. Determine the municiapal waste stream and construction and demolition waste stream including the hazardous waste stream.
   6. Evaluate Transfer Stations and compost facilities to divert waste.


The State has a heritage of letting landfills pollute groundwater.  Sixteen years after the landmark 1991 Solid Waste Act (T.C.A.  68-211-800 et al), the State does not know what is in the waste stream or the source. Tennessee solid waste has transported 12 million miles (12,000,000 miles) annually between Transfer Stations and landfills. BURNT argues that solid waste has a higher value as a raw material in business or compost. Diversion from landfills protects long life of landfills, creates a barrier of entry, and allows multi-national corporation haulers and landfill operators to profit from higher value use. Composting food and yard waste, 25% of the waste stream, prevents decomposition of organic food and yard waste in landfills that creates methane, ethane, and butane gasses.

"We believe this study may be part of a fundamental change in Tennessee solid waste policy," said BURNT president Bruce Wood.  "We are grateful to the sponsors and the State Legislature for this commitment to change." Bruce was named to the State Solid Waste Reduction Task Force  which has begun meeting to make recommendations for new solid waste regulations.

HB 1345/SB 1277  also provided the mechanism for vital hearings on the Radioactive Waste dumping in Middle Point Landfill in Murfreesboro.

Veiw a copy of the bill here. Also visit Tennessee Conservation Voters.