See most recent UPDATE HERE. 

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A simmering fight over the future of the Middle Point Landfill has continues to be not only a legal battle of sorts, but also a political showdown as operators seek to expand Tennessee’s largest landfill and local officials push back.

The landfill’s owner, BFI Waste Systems of Tennessee — a unit of Republic Services — recently submitted a major vertical expansion application to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) that would add roughly 70 feet of new waste height on top of the existing mound, potentially increasing capacity by about 19 million tons and extending operations through 2046. But going vertical is apparently not the answer for the Middle Point Landfill in Rutherford County, with one lawmaker stating... That was State Representative Bryan Terry, who lives in the Murfreesboro area and represents a portion of Rutherford County. According to the representative...

Rep. Terry said he received word from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation that Middle Point's application that was filed with TDEC, was not complete... Rep. Terry said that expanding upwards is still an expansion... He said that if it is deemed a major modification, then only TDEC has a say in allowing it to go forward. But if its not a major modification, then other avenues are opened...

Something that Terry called “The Jackson Law,” would be in effect if TDEC were to approve an actual expansion...

About two months ago in December (2025), Middle Point officials released a statement that said, “On Nov. 7, Middle Point Landfill operators submitted a permit request to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to modify portions of the facility. This is an established industry practice that is subject to extensive comprehensive review in adherence to state procedures, including a public comment period. If approved, the modifications will help ensure Middle Point can continue to meet the community’s need for responsible and cost-effective waste disposal.”

Supporters of the landfill argue that increasing capacity is necessary to continue accommodating millions of tons of trash that pour in each year from across Middle Tennessee. But critics say the plan feels more like stacking garbage than managing it.

Alternatives floated include outward, lateral expansion onto adjacent property — a strategy rejected in previous years — and new waste management approaches such as recycling, transfer stations, and diversion programs continue to be discussed.

The overall dispute isn’t new and previous attempts at lateral expansions were denied by the regional board, and a 2024 court ruling upheld that denial. Murfreesboro and Rutherford County leaders have repeatedly voiced opposition to expanding landfill operations in any direction, and asked residents to weigh in and explore future waste-handling models that could reduce reliance on a single, massive landfill.

As the opposition moves forward, while Middle Point officials continue to push for more room, the future of the landfill — and whether it grows upward, outward, or gives way to alternative waste strategies — remains unresolved, with significant environmental, economic, and community stakes on both sides of the debate.