skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump's effort to quell MAGA revolt over Epstein files seems to add fuel to the fire; As public sentiment shifts, MN watchdog criticizes ICE tactics; IN food pantries hit by SUN Bucks blackout; EPA employees on paid leave after signing "declaration of dissent."

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump threatens Russia with secondary sanctions, some of the president's allies want him to fire Federal Reserve chair, and farmers and doctors worry about impact of budget cuts on rural communities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural Americans brace for disproportionate impact of federal funding cuts to mental health, substance use programs, and new federal policies have farmers from Ohio to Minnesota struggling to grow healthier foods and create sustainable food production programs.

TN Bill Would Revamp Recycling Process Statewide

play audio
Play

Monday, January 30, 2023   

A bill in the Tennessee Legislature aims to reduce packaging materials that end up in landfills by improving recycling in the Volunteer State.

One recent survey ranks Tennessee 47th among states for recycling, with only 7% of common containers and packaging recycled.

Senate Bill 573 would require reducing unnecessary packaging, and reclaiming more valuable materials in the recycling process. It would also support and develop markets for recycled materials.

Dan Firth chairs the Solid Waste and Mining Committee for the Sierra Club's Tennessee chapter, and said these improvements would result in cleaner air and water as well.

"This bill is focused on reducing the amount of packaging waste that is going into landfills, being incinerated and otherwise lost," said Firth. "And to ensure that those valuable materials that the packaging is made of is recovered and goes back into the circular economy."

The bill would establish an advisory board to conduct a statewide assessment of how recycling infrastructure and services could be improved. It is sponsored by state Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Oak Hill.

Firth emphasized that the bill would provide financial stability to local recycling systems, enabling investment in recycling infrastructure and creating local jobs.

He noted that it could also enhance Tennessee's business prospects by ensuring a domestic supply of raw materials for new products.

"In order to collect more materials, there will have to be more jobs to do that work - to do the collection, to do the transportation, to do the processing," said Firth. "There'll be more jobs in terms of using those materials that are collected, and making new products."

Firth said the bill would also reimburse towns for some of the related costs of their recycling programs.



Disclosure: Sierra Club contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment, Environmental Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Some experts predict virtually all 'red' states will opt in to participate in the Educational Choice for Children program, while participation for 'blue' and 'purple' states remains to be seen. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Mixed responses continue to swirl about the new federal law offering tax incentives to people who donate to organizations providing scholarships to pr…


Health and Wellness

play sound

Hundreds of millions of American young people are exposed to vaping and smoking in popular movies, TV shows and music videos each year, according to …

Social Issues

play sound

Nevada groups concerned about affordability, clean air and health care are speaking out against the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" recently signed by …


The shift to cage-free eggs has accelerated after 11 states, including Colorado, set regulations on so-called conventional eggs, and the recent bird flu crisis, which led to the loss of more than 125 million U.S. hens. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A new "Compassion Calculator" launched by the charity portal FarmKind aims to help Coloradans who eat meat improve their animal welfare footprints by …

Health and Wellness

play sound

As federal Medicaid cuts loom, consumer advocates are celebrating Washington's new bill limiting hospital prices for state and public school …

The CEO of Arkansas-based Jenkins Enterprises said he is concerned many of his retail customers will cancel orders because of high tariffs. (AkuAku/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Jenkins Enterprises in North Little Rock is one of many small businesses across Arkansas facing extra costs from tariffs issued by President Donald Tr…

Social Issues

play sound

Indiana families are navigating the summer without SUN Bucks, a federal grocery benefit which delivered $120 per child last summer. Gov. Mike …

Social Issues

play sound

Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. The 18 items on the agenda include …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021