The unfortunate truth
The Trash Crisis in Tennessee
Tennessee is facing a critical moment in solid waste management. Our state’s challenges—from residents generating above the national average in waste to the nation's 48th lowest recycling rate—are putting immense pressure on our remaining landfill capacity. Each year, valuable, recyclable materials are needlessly buried, forcing us to constantly seek new disposal space.
Key Challenges
Tennessee faces significant waste management challenges, generating nearly 32% more waste per resident than the national average, coupled with a poor recycling rate that ranks 48th nationally and results in approximately a million tons of recyclables being landfilled annually. This high volume is straining landfill capacity, with many sites, especially in Middle Tennessee, projected to fill up within the next 5-10 years.
Middle Point Landfill Nears Capacity
The massive Middle Point Landfill in Murfreesboro epitomizes the looming solid waste crisis in Middle Tennessee, as the regional dumping site nears capacity and faces intense local opposition due to environmental contamination and quality-of-life issues. With Murfreesboro officials actively blocking expansion and seeking alternatives, the focus shifts away from traditional landfilling toward sustainable solutions.