We have a landfill crisis in Tennessee.
There’s a business-led solution called EPR.
What is the Tennessee Waste To Jobs Act?
The Tennessee Waste To Jobs Act (TWTJ) is state legislation that establishes an EPR framework for packaging materials in Tennessee. TWTJ specifically requires producers of goods to pay fees that fund recycling and composting of packaging—money that would otherwise come from taxpayers—with the goal of increasing recycling rates, creating thousands of new, local jobs and generating millions in revenue for Tennessee.
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy that shifts the financial and/or physical responsibility for the end-of-life management of products, like packaging, from local governments and taxpayers to the producers (manufacturers or brand owners) who put those products on the market. EPR aims to incentivize producers to design products that are easier to recycle, reuse, or compost, thereby reducing overall waste.
EPR Explainer Video by TOMRA
Tennessee is currently burying tons of valuable materials in landfills
with nearly a million tons of recyclable packaging—worth an estimated $150 million to $300 million annually—being wasted each year. The state only recycles about 12% of its waste, ranking 48th in the nation.
Meanwhile, industries like aluminum manufacturers (Kaiser Aluminum, Gränges) and porcelain tile producers (Florim USA) are desperate for a stable, domestic supply of post-consumer materials like recycled aluminum and glass to meet their production demands, reduce imports, lower manufacturing costs, and decrease emissions. (Watch below)
The Tennessee Waste To Jobs Act is the solution that will establish these markets and get these recycled materials to the industry and generate millions of dollars toward recycling infrastructure and education—at no cost to the taxpayer. This legislation creates thousands of jobs, helps solve the landfill crisis, reduces reliance on foreign materials, and protects local jobs and industries by establishing reliable markets for the valuable waste currently being thrown into landfills.
This kind of automation represents the future with EPR created by Tennessee Waste To Jobs - the ability to process 250,000 tons of multiple streams of packaging waste every year, reducing contamination rates, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, and supplying Tennessee companies with the recycled materials they need.
See What’s Possible With EPR Below!
Why would big brands WANT to be self- regulatory for package reduction?
Companies must meet global sustainability goals, as they have targets and mandates related to recycling content. However, there is insufficient domestic supply, forcing them to depend on foreign resources. As a result, major brands are reducing their targets. Consequently, their market competitiveness and profitability hinge on establishing a level playing field in the U.S. This is why seven states have passed EPR legislation, and the implementation of TWTJ is driven by producers rather than the government, making it tailored for Tennessee.
TN Solid Waste Forum Nov. 7th
The purpose of this year’s Policy & Practice Forum is to foster a constructive community dialogue about solid waste solutions, with a focus on diverting valuable materials from landfills and promoting a circular economy in Tennessee. We are inviting community and industry leaders, public officials, and organizations with expertise in solid waste issues and an interest in developing comprehensive solutions.
