MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The fight over a landfill in Rutherford County continues, and the local government has issued a survey for citizens to express their opinions.
The survey posted on the Rutherford County Government website asks, “Should Rutherford County be Nashville’s trashcan?”
Since 1988, Middle Point Landfill has been the dumping ground for much of Middle Tennessee’s trash. According to the landfill’s website, it takes on roughly 3,700 tons of waste each day. However, Middle Point is close to reaching its capacity.
In early February, Middle Point leaders told News 2 they predicted the landfill would only have the room to operate for four more years. BFI Waste Systems of Tennessee, a subsidiary of Republic Services that operates Middle Point, is looking to expand the landfill to solve the issue.
Republic Services proposed a plan to the county in which the landfill would stop accepting trash from Davidson County. Additionally, the landfill would cap how much out-of-county commercial waste it takes on and increase its host fee, which officials claim would result in Middle Point accepting 50% less waste.
In turn, the proposal states the company would take over the old Rutherford County Landfill and connect the properties.
News 2 reported the company recently withdrew its appeal to expand northward, but the proposal to expand southward is still under consideration. The decision on the expansion currently lies in the hands of Rutherford County commissioners.
Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr has been outspoken about opposing the landfill, saying in a statement on social media, “As you know when I ran for mayor 3 years ago I ran on the promise that I would do everything in my power to ensure that the Middle Point Landfill when full would close. I have always been opposed to the expansion of Middle Point Landfill by Republic Services so that they can no longer bring Nashville’s Trash to our community.”
Carr said the survey was posted for residents to voice their opinions on the matter. If visitors respond “no” to the survey questions, they are sent to a petition against the landfill. You can find the survey at rutherfordcountytn.gov.
