Nashville proposes new C&D recycling ordinance

In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials estimate that the construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream has doubled in the past decade, and the vast majority ends up in landfills.

To address this, the city has proposed a new ordinance to manage this waste, which is primarily generated from the commercial building sector.

As reported by WPLN News, the city outlined a five-year plan to introduce new recycling minimums, with requirements to weigh materials and document recycling rates.

RELATED: Austin, Texas, passes C&D recycling ordinance

The proposal applies only to commercial C&D projects and excludes single-family homes or townhomes with four or fewer units. The commercial sector can easily meet the proposed requirements, Metro Water Services Spokesperson Sonia Allman tells WPLN, adding that planners think this legislation will incentivize investment in local recycling and recovery options.

For demolitions, the plan first targets metal and concrete, along with carpet, asphalt shingles and bricks. Construction projects will have to recycle cardboard, metal, concrete and land-clearing debris.

Nashville’s waste division is now accepting public feedback on the proposed ordinance online.