Nashville, Germantown share in TDEC grants

Nashville and Germantown will share in $332,953 in grants awarded to six entities statewide from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for Education and Outreach and Organics Management for projects to help reduce landfill waste and increase recycling education in Tennessee.  

The grant program encourages and supports local communities to meet solid waste and recycling goals. Local governments can divert more waste from landfills through infrastructure upgrades and provide convenient opportunities for residents to get engaged in the process.  

The city of Nashville received two grants through the program: a $13,000 grant for outreach and education and a $100,000 grant for a food scrap management program. The city of Germantown received $2,900 for outreach and education for a recycling and solid waste guide and education.  

Other entities who received grants include Sevier Solid Waste, Inc.; the University of Tennessee – Knoxville; Rosebank Elementary School in Nashville; and the Tennessee Environmental Council.  

“We are pleased to see the interest and enthusiasm for these solid waste grants,” said Greg Young, deputy commissioner for TDEC’s Bureau of Environment. “These communities are committed to reducing waste in Tennessee, and we thank them for going through the application process.”  

The Education and Outreach grant will help local governments produce material needed to consistently promote waste reduction and recycling best practices for established solid waste programs. The primary purpose is to inform residents what they can recycle, where they can recycle, and when they can recycle.  

Organics Management grants are for counties, cities, solid waste authorities, and other tax-exempt nonprofit recycling entities designated as 501c(3) organizations. The grants prioritize public/private partnerships, new or expanded organics management services, and reductions in food waste.