Environment (Waste Management)

HB 994 changes the deadline for Tennessee regions to submit annual solid waste reports from March 31 to February 1 each year. The bill requires regions to provide data on collection, recycling, transportation, disposal, public costs, and other relevant solid waste management information to the Environment Commissioner. This applies directly to all Tennessee regions responsible for waste planning and management under state environmental laws. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter the reporting requirements themselves.

HB 895 removes a requirement that new or expanded landfill sites must be located at least two miles away from designated Class II scenic rivers in Tennessee. This bill directly affects landfill developers and communities near these protected waterways by eliminating a buffer zone designed to limit development close to sensitive river environments. The bill achieves this by deleting specific provisions in Tennessee Code (Sections 68-211-118, 68-212-120, and 68-212-223) that previously enforced the two-mile restriction. The change would allow landfills to be built closer to scenic rivers without needing to comply with this distance rule. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been voted on.

SB 1442 establishes specific litter abatement rules for Tipton County, Tennessee, directly affecting residents, businesses, contractors, and event organizers. It requires all refuse to be contained in secure, closed containers (with wet garbage in waterproof bags), prohibits open dumping or littering in public spaces, and mandates regular cleanup at construction sites, vacant lots, and parking areas. Violations carry daily fines of $25-$50, and the law specifies the county landfill as the sole disposal site for most waste, banning unauthorized dumpsites. The bill requires approval by Tipton County’s legislative body before taking effect.

SB 269, the "Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act," requires producers of packaging materials to join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) that manages recycling, reuse, and composting programs for covered packaging. It directly affects packaging manufacturers and distributors (excluding specific exemptions like medical or long-term storage packaging) by mandating their financial and operational involvement in waste diversion systems. Key provisions establish a statewide PRO to fund local recycling infrastructure, divert packaging waste from landfills, and recover materials for a circular economy - creating jobs while requiring producers to cover costs for collection and processing. The bill excludes certain packaging types (e.g., medical products, beverage containers under future deposit systems) and defines "covered services" to include curbside collection and drop-off centers for households, schools, and small nonprofits.