Warren County constructing two new metal processing buildings at its sanitation site to increase recycling efficiency and meet state waste reduction goals.
Warren County Commissioner Ron Lee said foundations for the structures have already been poured at the central facility.
“We’re hoping that we can get into that 20 to 25 percent, that’s what the state of Tennessee wants us to do, is 25 percent reduction in our garbage,” Lee said. “But we’re hoping this will give us, bump us up to that next level.”
Lee said the county currently reduces its garbage stream by approximately 15 to 18 percent depending on total volume. The new buildings, which measure roughly 72 by 80 feet, will house specialized equipment to better manage materials.
“We’re hoping to eventually get a machine to pack our cardboard to where we can market that a little bit better and then pull that out of the garbage stream,” Lee said. “Aluminum cans is something in the future.”
Lee said one of the buildings is designed with a raised floor that allows a tractor-trailer to pull inside for the direct loading of recycled tires. The metal construction was chosen because the buildings are cost-effective for taxpayers and can be erected quickly.
“It’s sort of a stepping stone,” Lee continued. “We got to get our buildings up and get everything inside and then we can add to as we can afford to add different equipment.”
Lee said the expansion will allow the main office to more efficiently process materials collected from local bins.
“Hopefully this will enhance our recycling programs and even at our convenience centers we’ll have bins for recycling, but we can bring those containers into our main office and be able to handle that recycled material a lot better and a lot more efficiently,” Lee said.
The project is supported by a state grant valued between $470,000 and $480,000.