Rutherford County, TN – Middle Point Landfill continues to be in the news. As you recall, last week, Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr and Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland unveiled a joint plan for a long-term solid waste solution that firmly opposes the expansion of the privately owned Middle Point Landfill.

After that announcement, Rutherford County Commissioner Craig Harris responded to Mayors Carr and McFarland’s press conference:

Commissioner Harris said, “As an elected member of the Rutherford County Commission, it is my duty to hear all sides of an issue and follow the laws and processes established by the county government. It’s unfortunate that Mayors Carr and McFarland are attempting to establish a committee that could circumvent the county’s Public Works Committee and thwart its ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of our county. It’s the commission’s obligation to hear all sides when addressing the future of solid waste, and we do not need to form another committee to do this.”

Under the plan proposed Mayors Carr and McFarland (1/30/2025), Rutherford and Murfreesboro governments would oversee solid waste management on county-owned land near Middle Point Landfill. This location includes two retired landfills and an advanced $20 million solid waste transfer station nearing completion. The plan focuses on minimizing landfill use, with Murfreesboro collaborating with WastAway to convert up to 70 per cent of collected waste into biomass fuel.

The potential end results get more uncertain when you look at agreements that were made April 10, 1995 between Rutherford County government and BFI/Republic Services for the lease of land where Middle Point Landfill is located. The agreement allowed residents of Rutherford County to dispose of household waste at the landfill for free. It also allowed Middle Point to accept trash from other counties.  Reports indicate that roughly 70 per cent of the waste at Middle Point Landfill comes from outside of Rutherford County. The majority of this waste comes from Davidson County. That agreement also allowed free tipping for Rutherford County trucks hauling trash from public schools and convenience centers, as well as free trash and wastewater sludge dumping for Murfreesboro.

Since last summer, BFI/Republic Services Mike Classen has been hold public gatherings throughout the area to give the corporation’s perspective.

In an earlier statement on WGNS, Classen said that BFI/Republic Services have partnered with Archaea Energy to develop a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project at the Middle Point Landfill. This project captures the gas that naturally occurs as waste decomposes and converts it into pipeline-quality that is then supplied to ATMOS Energy. This initiative helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provides a sustainable energy source.

BFI's Mike Classen will be on WGNS radio at 9:05AM on Friday morning (2/7/2025).