Nashville, TN - State Rep. Bryan Terry and State Sen. Shane Reeves, both Republicans of Murfreesboro, directed the creation of the Advisory Task Force on Solid Waste to analyze waste management in Tennessee.

Terry and Reeves guided House Bill 667 through the General Assembly in April, establishing the 15-member task force that will spend the next three years addressing current challenges and discussing innovative solutions. The group held its first meeting on Sept. 30, 2025.

"Rutherford County is burdened with the state's largest landfill so we see firsthand the challenges that come with outdated waste management practices," Terry said. "It’s clear Tennessee needs to start looking at smarter, more sustainable solutions that ease the burden on our communities and protect our environment. I'm encouraged by the task force's first meeting and hopeful that they'll be able to bring forward innovative ideas that move the state in the right direction."

During the meeting, the task force heard a presentation from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on current waste management practices. After the presentation, the group shared various obstacles Tennessee faces in solid waste management.

"Tennessee's population and economy are growing, but our waste management infrastructure has not kept pace," Reeves said. "This task force is focused on more than just managing current challenges. It is about developing long-term, data-driven strategies that serve all Tennesseans. I am proud to help lead this effort and to work toward solutions that are practical, forward thinking and sustainable."

As the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee chairman, Reeves was appointed to serve as co-chairman of the task force. Alongside him, Donna Barrett, former state representative and current member of the Central Tennessee Solid Waste Planning Board, and Matt Herriman, a local real estate broker and government consultant also represent Rutherford County.

Other members include waste management professionals, attorneys, lawmakers, grocery and food service representatives, an environmental engineer and TDEC official.

The task force's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026. Bryan Terry, MD, represents District 48 in the House of Representatives which includes the eastern half of Rutherford County. Shane Reeves represents District 14 in the Senate which includes Bedford, Cannon, Moore and part of Rutherford County.