Tennessee Passes Law for Recycling Incentives

Tennessee has passed a law that provides incentives for the recycling of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.

The new law, from Senate Bill 941 and House Bill 945, permits a region to multiply by three the gross weight of aluminum cans and plastic bottles diverted from solid waste disposal facilities and incinerators to calculate total waste reduction and diversion achieved in the area, according to the Tennessee General Assembly website.

The new law will provide incentives for communities to provide collection infrastructure for recyclables. It’s a step toward greater recycling in the state, the Brevard, N.C.-based Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC) said in a news release.

“This recycling law is a step toward helping to provide much needed feedstock to the Tennessee aluminum and plastic recycling industries, which support jobs in the state,” said Will Sagar, SERDC executive director.

SERDC is a non-profit organization that works to increase recycling in 11 southeastern states, including Tennessee.