'We have to do something about this trash': Commission OKs Murfreesboro transfer plans

Murfreesboro government's plan to build a solid waste transfer station and biogas operation won recent Rutherford County Commission support.

The resolution joins all of the mayors within the county in backing the city's plans that prepare for the expected closure of the private Middle Point Landfill within four years.

"We all know we have to do something about this trash," Commissioner Anthony Johnson said in calling for the 14-6 vote.

Fellow Commissioners Jonathan Beverly, Robert Peay Jr., Hope Oliver, Paul Johnson, Wayne Irvin and Romel McMurry opposed the resolution for solid waste transfer station and biogas operation at 2120 Butler Drive near Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Interstate 24 on the southside of Murfreesboro. Fellow Commissioner Joshua James was absent while activated to U.S. Army duty to attend leadership training.

"The folks in my district are against this project," said Beverly, who represents the area where residents worry about garbage truck traffic on the roads near where the transfer station and biogas operation will be built.

Murfreesboro Assistant City Manager Darren Gore told commissioners that he expects a pending intergovernmental agreement with the county on hauling trash. The arrangement would involve solid waste trucks from both governments heading to the city's planned southside transfer station and a northside one that the county is building adjacent to the private Middle Point Landfill off East Jefferson Pike.

Middle Point General Manager Mike Classen said Friday that the landfill would be full by July 2027 based on current operations.

The landfill is owned by Republic Services, a publicly traded corporation based in the Phoenix area.

Commission backs $20M solid waste plan: 'We need a transfer station for Rutherford County'

Peay wants no outside trash allowed

Peay said he opposes the resolution until the elected Murfreesboro City Council in writing assures the county that the southside transfer station will only collect trash from within Rutherford.

"I’m not willing to give up us being able to say no to outside trash," Peay said.

Irvin responded by calling for a vote to defer the county's resolution with support from Peay, Oliver, McMurry and Paul Johnson.

Although Beverly opposes the transfer station, he said the county needed to give the city an answer after a previous deferral by the commission in September.

Beverly said he examined the city's transfer station proposal while Murfreesboro officials voted to annex and rezone the Butler Drive property.

Growing trash issue: Middle Point Landfill seeks expansion on county property

Mayor Joe Carr: 'There’s plenty of trash for everyone'

The city's transfer station plan has the backing of Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr.

He's among the many county and Murfreesboro officials opposing Middle Point Landfill expansion plans.

Carr told commissioners that he takes Murfreesboro leaders at their word that the 460 tons of annual trash collected within Rutherford County will come first at the planned city and county transfer stations.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there’s plenty of trash for everyone," Carr said.

Carr signed a letter sent to each county commissioner in support of the city's transfer station and biogas plans along with Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole, Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed and Eagleville Mayor Chad Leeman.

Letter from mayors touts city plan to divert trash from landfill

McFarland urged the other mayors to sign the letter.

'A pending crisis': Rutherford County to ship out trash when Middle Point Landfill closes

"I think it is important for all of the mayors, aldermen, council members and commissioners to continue to work together to find ways to address this serious solid waste issue," McFarland said. "I am proud to serve with each mayor, and we all have a united effort to work together."

What Murfreesboro is doing is a viable approach to solid waste, Cole said.

"I think that Rutherford County needs waste alternatives for when Middle Point Landfill closes," Cole said.

The letter signed by the mayors suggested Murfreesboro's transfer station and biogas operation, "if built, could be utilized by all the municipalities and residents of our county."

The letter also noted that a county "Solid Waste Vision Document" crafted in 2018 by representatives from Rutherford and all the county's cities recommended that transfer stations be built on the northside and southside to prepare for the expected closure of Middle Point Landfill.

"We do not believe the expansion of Middle Point Landfill is the best option for Rutherford County citizens," the letter said. "We do not believe accepting over 70% outside trash is a viable option for our respective communities."

The letter also touted that the city's planned biogas operation has the potential to divert 90% of the expected 126,000 tons of trash it collects annually from having to be hauled to a landfill.

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City expects costs of $67.5 million to build biogas operation

The biogas operation will adhere to strict federal standards to protect the environment and public welfare, the letter said.

The city paid $1.9 million for the 20-acre Butler Drive property, according to Rutherford County Register of Deeds records.

The city in April 2022 announced biogas plans with partner with WastAway.

The Murfreesboro City Council by December 2022 reached an agreement with WastAway to build the biogas operation by July 2025. Project costs are estimated at $67.5 million with a federal tax rebate expected to cover 25.5% of the expenses, according to a city press release.

WastAway operates in a warehouse in an industrial area of Morrison within Warren County. The operation includes using conveyor belts and magnets to pull out metals before the remaining waste is converted to a fluff product that can be sold as a fuel source for industry boilers.

Solid waste issue: WastAway wants to transform Murfreesboro's garbage into fuel. Will city agree?

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Solid waste plans by local governments

• When is private Middle Point Landfill expected to be full: July 2027 based on current operations

• What is Rutherford County government plans after landfill is full: Build a solid waste transfer station off East Jefferson Pike on county property on northside adjacent to the landfill where county garbage and recycling trucks can drop off materials before being hauled out of the county

• What is Murfreesboro government plans after landfill is full: build a solid waste transfer station and a biogas operation that converts waste to a fuel source for industry on Butler Drive on the southside before materials are hauled out

Sources: Rutherford County and Murfreesboro governments, and Middle Point Landfill General Manager Mike Classen

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro solid waste plans backed by Rutherford County officials