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A resolution requesting that the Department of Water and Sewerage Services, Waste Services Division, study creation of a department or other entity dedicated to solid waste reduction, diversion, and disposal responsibilities and to develop a strategy and organizational framework that manages solid waste, recyclables, organics, and other materials for the residents of Nashville and Davidson County to fulfill the Zero Waste Master Plan.
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WHEREAS, RS2021-794 approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transfer solid waste disposal responsibilities from the Department of Public Works to the Department of Water and Sewerage Services with a term of three years, expiring June 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, since July 1, 2021, the Department of Water and Sewerage Services has overseen personnel and operational activities relating to solid waste disposal, i.e., the collection and disposal of garbage and other refuse, and the maintenance and operation of facilities for the disposal of same from the urban services district and refuse disposal in the general services district; and
WHEREAS, with the MOU expiring on June 30, 2024, there is a need to evaluate functions performed by the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to determine the potential need for the creation of new dedicated departments or authorities, and/or the realignment of existing functions within existing departments; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region will continue to face imminent significant challenges related to solid waste management, including the likelihood that local landfills will reach capacity within 3-5 years; and
WHEREAS, in December 2019, Nashville's Solid Waste Region Board approved a Zero Waste Master Plan which provides policy framework to lead the region in reducing waste to landfill by 90%. The Plan included analysis of multiple strategies for waste reduction. The plan was then adopted by Metro Council in August 2021 pursuant to RS2021-1030; and
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