RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County’s recycling program just earned one of its strongest marks yet, and officials say the credit belongs squarely to the people who sort their recyclables every week. The county’s Single Stream Recycling Program posted a contamination rate of just 5.6 percent in the latest WM Recycle America audit—a dramatic improvement from the 11‑plus percent recorded about a year ago and far cleaner than what most municipalities report.

The news comes as both Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro continue to rely on a single‑stream system at county convenience centers. Residents can combine cardboard, paper, aluminum, steel cans, and plastics #1 and #2 into one compactor, while glass is dropped off separately. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and plastics #3–7 remain prohibited, a point attendants reinforce daily.

Solid Waste Director Matt Davis said the audit results reflect a community that has taken recycling seriously. He praised residents for adapting to sorting rules and applauded Convenience Center attendants for keeping the stream clean. Davis emphasized that every recyclable item brought to a county center is delivered to a legitimate recycler—not the landfill—and that the county feels a responsibility to honor the effort residents put into sorting.

Convenience Centers operate on a rotating weekly schedule, generally open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays for household garbage only. Popular locations include the center past Walmart on Joe B. Frank Road. For larger loads, the main transfer station on Landfill Road remains the county’s primary disposal site.

Last month alone, Rutherford County diverted 462.84 tons of material from landfills. Mayor Joe Carr called the sub‑6 percent contamination rate an achievement few Tennessee counties can match. He noted that the county’s 12,500‑square‑foot transfer station was built nearly $3 million under budget and now generates more than $1 million annually for the Solid Waste budget. Mattress recycling begins in August, allowing 95 percent of old mattresses to be reused or repurposed.

Public opinion on single‑stream recycling remains mixed—some residents appreciate the convenience, while others question the global recycling market—but local education efforts continue. The Recycle Right Tennessee series airs on WGNS Radio and streams worldwide at wgnsradio.com, helping residents stay informed. More information is available at RecycleRightTN.com and rutherfordcountytn.gov/solidwaste.

MORE DETAILS: Rutherford County’s Single Stream Recycling Program has earned strong marks following the most recent WM Recycle America audit, showing a major improvement in the amount of non-recyclable material being placed in recycling containers.

According to Rutherford County officials, the county’s recycling contamination rate was above 11% about a year ago. The January audit showed that number had dropped to 5.6%, a result county leaders say is significantly lower than many other municipalities that work with WM Recycle America.

Recycling audits are typically conducted at least twice a year, although they can take place any time WM Recycle America is doing business with a local program. A low contamination rate is considered critical to the success of single-stream recycling because it helps keep costs down and improves the chances that recyclable materials can actually be reused.

Rutherford County Solid Waste Director Matt Davis said the latest audit reflects both the effort of residents and the work being done at county convenience centers.

“The Solid Waste Department is proud of this result because it reflects the commitment of Rutherford County residents and the dedication of our Convenience Center Attendants,” Davis said. “By recycling correctly, residents help reduce costs, save landfill space, and ensure that recyclable materials are put to beneficial use. Every bit of material that residents bring in for recycling in Rutherford County is delivered to recyclers. When residents commit and follow through on sorting and bringing recycling to the Convenience Center, we feel a strong commitment to make sure that it goes to the appropriate recycler, and never to the landfill. This success is on the shoulders of our residents and attendants. The recycling stream is exceptionally clean compared to other places that do business with WM. Residents have received education efforts very well, and attendants do a great job of monitoring what goes into the recycling compactors.”

County officials said Rutherford County diverted 462.84 tons of material from landfills through recycling last month alone.

Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr congratulated the Solid Waste Team on the audit results.

“The result of less than 6% contamination for our Single Stream Recycling Program is an achievement few TN counties can boast,” Carr said. “After a successful Single Stream Recycling pilot program, the method was implemented in all Convenience Centers, and the audit results demonstrate that we are doing it right. We are diverting materials from landfills. This audit accolade can be added to a long list of Solid Waste Department accomplishments. Our recycling efforts are just one component of my long range Solid Waste plan implemented when I took office. Our 12,500 square-foot transfer station was constructed in 22 months and nearly $3 million dollars under budget. It is generating over $1 million dollars to be used in the Solid Waste budget. Mattress recycling will be starting in August that will allow 95% of old mattresses to be recycled and reused. It’s a definite win for the county.”

• Learn more information about Rutherford County Solid Waste and local recycling programs by visiting the county website at rutherfordcountytn.gov/solidwaste.