MURFREESBORO, TN - The Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board will hold its next meeting this Monday evening, December 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the conference room of the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport's Business Center. The gathering is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.

The Board plays a vital role in shaping how solid waste is managed across Rutherford, Cannon, Coffee, and Warren counties. Its responsibilities include updating a ten-year waste management plan, reviewing permits for facilities, enforcing compliance with state and local laws, and promoting recycling and diversion programs. Annual progress reports and public hearings are also part of its work, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Locally, the Board has been central in addressing the ongoing concerns surrounding Middle Point Landfill. It unanimously denied BFI Waste Systems’ request to expand the landfill, citing environmental concerns and conflicts with the regional plan. That decision was upheld in court, effectively halting the expansion. Since then, the Board has continued to push for broader solutions, emphasizing recycling and waste diversion rather than relying solely on landfilling.

Donna Barrett, former Tennessee State Representative and current Board member, has been a strong voice for recycling and diversion. She has championed initiatives like Recycle Right Tennessee and spoken widely about the landfill crisis. She remains actively engaged in Board activities and local advocacy.

Recycling is available in Rutherford County, with 14 centers accepting materials such as cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and paper. Murfreesboro also operates a city-run convenience center on West Main Street near the old train depot. There are also private curbside services. Still, challenges persist—limited curbside options, reliance on drop-off centers, and the need for stronger public education. The new Solid Waste Transfer Station is part of efforts to reduce landfill dependency, but participation rates remain uneven.

The meeting offers residents a chance to learn more, ask questions, and be part of shaping the region’s waste management future.