Memphis and Shelby County
Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Waste Characterization Study & Solid Waste Management Plan
In 2023, the City of Memphis and Shelby County governments committed to developing a waste characterization study and solid waste plan for Shelby County. With the help of local project partners and state and federal funding sources, the development of this project is currently under way.
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Keep reading below to learn more about the proess and how Shelby County is benefitting from it.
BACKGROUND
TDEC Funding Opportunity:
Planning and Technical Assistance Waste Characterization Study Grant
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DOE Funding Opportunity:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
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Total Funding: $792,304.15
TDEC Share: $250,000
DOE Share: $142,304.15
Local Gov't Share: $400,000
Both the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan and Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan​ (2019) outline goals for waste management which include reducing waste being sent to landfills and behavioral change in the community's approach to waste. Recognizing the importance of these goals, the City of Memphis and Shelby County agreed on the need for a road map to implement better waste practices to move Memphis and Shelby County towards a greener future.
In summer of 2023, the City and County committed $200,000 each toward this initiative totaling $400,000 in local government funding. With OSR taking on the project management role, we sought additional funding from state and federal sources. In July 2023, OSR was awarded $250,000 for the development of the waste characterization study through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's (TDEC) Planning and Technical Assistance Waste Characterization Study Grant. In addition to that, we applied for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), requesting that a portion of the funds go towards the development of the Solid Waste Management Plan. Upon award, we received $142,304.15 in funds to be allocated to this project.
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OVERVIEW
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Summer '24 Project Kickoff
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Spring '25 Waste Characterization Report
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Spring '25 Public Survey and Engagement Opportunities
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Fall '25 Solid Waste Master Plan Completed
What is the goal of this project?
The Solid Waste Management Plan will serve as a blueprint of best practices and strategies for Shelby County and its municipalities to implement over the next 30 years. This plan will identify key considerations that allow local government to set data-driven goals that balance the operational and financial impacts of implementing programs that support long-term environmental benefits of sustainable materials management.
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The first step in the development of the Plan was to conduct a waste characterization study in order to evaluate the current waste management landscape in Shelby County. ​In 2024, the project team held two waste sorting events, one in June and one in October. The results of those sessions along with an assessment of the current solid waste system will inform the development of the goals outlined in the Plan.
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Where are we now?
With the Waste Characterization Report expected to be completed by April of 2025, the project team is now looking to hear from Shelby County residents! A public survey will be available for residents of Shelby County and its municipalities to share their experiences with waste in their own lives. What are your experiences with waste management at work, home, or school? This is your chance to voice your questions, concerns, and how you think waste management can be improved in your life.
Get Involved!
We want to hear from you!
Shelby County wants to hear your thoughts on how waste management fits in your life and what your local government can do to improve it, sustain it, or expand it.
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Click below to take our survey and share your thoughts with us:​
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Check back here for updates on upcoming engagement opportunities.