Take Action
Ask your legislators to support TWTJ
What do I say?
The following script should take just 2 minutes to read through on the phone, or could be adapted for an email.
Introduce yourself.
Summarize the key points of the bill.
Ask for their sponsorship.
Thank them for their time.
Not sure how to contact your legislators?
No worries—we’ve got you covered!
Part 1: Introduce yourself.
“Hello, my name is <your name>.
I have lived in <your city or neighborhood> for <number of years>.”
Part 2: Summarize key points of the bill.
Tennessee has a major waste problem. We’re 48th in the nation for recycling, and we have a landfill crisis. Why bury these valuable materials in the ground when Tennessee companies can use them?
The major barrier to expanding recycling in Tennessee - is funding. The Tennessee Waste To Jobs Act creates a sustainable funding mechanism that provides the needed investment to expand recycling to 100% of Tennessee residents, increase recycling rates, and prevent valuable packaging from ending up in our landfills, at no cost to taxpayers.
Currently, Tennesseans pay for solid waste disposal through taxes and tipping fees, which are among the highest in the country. TWTJ extends the responsibility for disposal to the brands that create packaging waste.
99.5% of Tennessee businesses are exempt. TWTJ only affects businesses that generate more than $10 million in annual revenue.
TWTJ incentivizes multinational brands to minimize overall packaging and use recycled materials.
TWTJ will bring thousands of new jobs and economic development into Tennessee by investing in the existing recycling infrastructure to collect, process, and recycle more packaging.
TWTJ will convert 1M tons of packaging waste per year currently landfilled into a valuable commodity that Tennessee businesses need - turning our trash into cash.
3. Ask for their vote.
“As your constituent, I want to ask you why we are burying these valuable materials in the ground when we can use them? Can I count on you to sponsor and vote for the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act - Senate Bill 0269, House Bill 0600?”
4. Thank them for their time.
“Thank you for your time, I appreciate all you do for our state.”