Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

Waste Reduction Task Force

In response to legislation passed in 2007, the Department of Environment and Conservation sought advice from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee on all aspects of how Tennessee manages its solid waste disposal and waste reduction efforts.  In response, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) convened a twenty-three member Waste Reduction Task Force (Task Force) of solid waste professionals, county, municipal, industry and environmental representatives to look into the big picture of how Tennessee manages its solid waste and recycle material streams to set future goals and establish methods used to measure it.

The SWAC gave the following objectives to be addressed by the Task Force:

To develop recommendations for the SWAC for rules, to update, change, or revise the waste reduction goal for the State.

To define methodology to measure new waste reduction goal.

To develop alternatives to reduce waste.

These three objectives defined the parameters and the mission for this Task Force.  The charges listed above are very important to the State and its citizens.  This group was given the opportunity to help map the future of solid waste and waste reduction for the state for many years to come.

The Task Force met between September 2007 and May 2008 to work towards the three objectives. To help expedite the work of the Task Force, four work groups were established.  They are as follows:  1.) Waste Reduction Goal and Methodology 2.) Public and Private Participation 3.) Government Organization Roles and 4.) Infrastructure and Financial Development.

The links to the right represent the proposals and findings of this Task Force as well as current updates on rule making and legislative changes as a result of the work of the Task Force.

 

For more information about Planning, Reporting, and Waste Reduction, please contact us.