Rutherford County Solid Waste Single Stream Recycling Program Achieves Successful Audit Results
Rutherford County – TN (06/25/2026) Rutherford County Solid Waste Single Stream Recycling Program has earned an impressive contamination result in the most recent WM Recycle America audit.
Approximately a year ago, contamination was over 11%. The January audit findings show a substantial decrease in contamination to 5.6 % which is significantly lower than other municipalities.
Audits are typically performed at least twice a year, but they can happen at any time business is conducted with WM Recycle America. Low contamination in Single Stream recycling is critical to the success of the countywide recycling programs and drives down the cost to recycle.
Rutherford County Solid Waste Director Matt Davis reflected on the Single Stream Recycling program.
“The Solid Waste Department is proud of this result because it reflects the commitment of Rutherford County residents and the dedication of our Convenience Center Attendants,” Davis said. “By recycling correctly, residents help reduce costs, save landfill space, and ensure that recyclable materials are put to beneficial use. Every bit of material that residents bring in for recycling in Rutherford County is delivered to recyclers. When residents commit and follow through on sorting and bringing recycling to the Convenience Center, we feel a strong commitment to make sure that it goes to the appropriate recycler, and never to the landfill. This success is on the shoulders of our residents and attendants. The recycling stream is exceptionally clean compared to other places that do business with WM. Residents have received education efforts very well, and attendants do a great job of monitoring what goes into the recycling compactors.”
Last month, the County diverted 462.84 tons of materials from landfills by recycling.
Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr congratulated the Solid Waste Team on the audit results.
“The result of less than 6% contamination for our Single Stream Recycling Program is an achievement few TN counties can boast,” Carr said. “After a successful Single Stream Recycling pilot program, the method was implemented in all Convenience Centers, and the audit results demonstrate that we are doing it right. We are diverting materials from landfills. This audit accolade can be added to a long list of Solid Waste Department accomplishments. Our recycling efforts are just one component of my long range Solid Waste plan implemented when I took office. Our 12,500 square-foot transfer station was constructed in 22 months and nearly $3 million dollars under budget. It is generating over $1 million dollars to be used in the Solid Waste budget. Mattress recycling will be starting in August that will allow 95% of old mattresses to be recycled and reused. It’s a definite win for the county.”
More information about the Solid Waste Department and recycling programs may be found at https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/solidwaste.