The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, has started two pilot recycling programs. These programs aim to reduce landfill waste and promote responsible recycling. The initiatives will run until June 30, 2026. They focus on diverting food and glass waste from landfills. The initial rollout covers the Brainerd area and selected neighborhoods.
Food waste makes up about 25% of landfill content and is a major source of methane emissions in the United States. To address this, the city is working with NewTerra Composting, a local company. Residents in the pilot area can sign up for curbside food waste collection. All city residents can use drop-off kiosks at five recycling centers.
Glass waste is also a concern. About 90% of glass ends up in landfills, even though it can be recycled and reused. A Chattanooga-based company, Overlooked Materials, will manage the curbside glass recycling program. The company will process collected glass for reuse…