Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Middle Point Landfill follows law, contributes to county




LTE

LTE

To the Editor:

Regarding The Murfreesboro Post March 20 opinion piece by Chloe Cerutti, there are several misunderstandings about Middle Point Landfill that we would like to address.

As Rutherford County officials and residents begin serious talks about the county’s long-term solid waste disposal needs, Ms. Cerutti is absolutely right — there should be voices from many sides and many opinions. Transparency will be key to the success of any solution, and as has been pointed out, taxpayers will ultimately pay the bill for whatever is decided.

Additionally, any solution that includes composting and/or recycling will require substantial changes in habits by all residents of Rutherford County to be successful.

Getting everyone to agree on a solution, getting them to agree to the cost and getting them to agree to change their habits will come about only if there is public input and discussion throughout the process. As an industry leader, we have seen time and time again that the communities who embrace this approach, and take a longer-term view, tend to enjoy the greatest environmental and economic benefits.

There are, however, a few misconceptions about Republic Services and Middle Point Landfill that I would like to correct for the record.

First, the anticipated life span of the landfill is currently between eight and nine years. This is based on current daily tonnage and is a number we are required to report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

Second is the issue of leachate in the Stones River and the suggestion that it might be coming from Middle Point Landfill. We perform rigorous testing, with oversight from TDEC, and we are confident there are no leachate issues in the Stones River associated with our facility.

Third is the idea of “hazardous low-level waste” at the landfill. Middle Point did indeed accept what was known as “Bulk Survey for Release” material, a term for waste from power plants being decommissioned, that includes construction materials, tools, machine parts and other debris. BSFR material is neither hazardous waste nor regulated low-level waste. Middle Point was properly permitted to accept it.

Finally, Middle Point Landfill has been an economic force in Rutherford County for decades. We employ some 30 people with an annual payroll of $2 million, have purchased $10 million in goods and services from local businesses, and indirectly support an additional 95 jobs. All that is in addition to the host fee revenue we return to the county every year.

As Rutherford County makes decisions about the future of solid waste, I hope residents and businesses will reach out with questions about our operations or capabilities. We look forward to being a resource for the community as local leaders consider the possibilities for the future of diversion and disposal in Rutherford County.

Brad Kiesling

Republic Services

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