Last month, Lewis County Commissioners voted to enter into a contract with Strategic Materials, Incorporated (SMI) in order to begin recycling bottled glass at the Transfer Station.

SMI is the largest glass recycler in North America, and has nearly 50 locations across Canada, the United States and Mexico, including one in Ashland City, Tennessee.

The county has been pursuing an affordable option to recycle glass at the Transfer Station for several years, including issuing bid requests, speaking directly with glass recycling companies, and meeting with local governments across the state who recycle glass.

However, due to the lack of a glass recycling plant in our area, combined with a low market for recycling glass and high transportation costs, an affordable solution that would financially benefit the county could not be reached.

Fortunately for Lewis County, transportation costs have recently decreased, while the glass recycling market has steadily increased. Also, SMI recently expanded their bottle recycling business in Middle Tennessee. As a result, County Mayor Jonah Keltner was finally able to make a deal between the county and SMI last month that was beneficial to both parties.

According to the Resolution passed by Commissioners, Lewis County will be partnering with SMI over the next three years to recycle bottled glass at a flat rate that is locked in and cannot increase. There also cannot be any fuel charges nor other fees added over that time.

Lewis County currently pays $54.50 per ton to have its household-type garbage, including bottled glass, hauled off and disposed of in a Marshall County landfill. Going forward, the county paying less than half of that to dispose of its bottled glass thanks to this new recycling option. Overall savings for the county are projected to be around $15,000 a year.

"I'm very excited that we're finally able to start recycling bottled glass in our community," stated Mayor Keltner. "This will not only benefit the environment, but it will also help our Solid Waste budget, which in turn benefits every resident and business in Lewis County."

According to Solid Waste Director Josh Stutts, the Transfer Station has already set up a glass recycling bin to accept clear and colored bottled glass. Stutts also stated the county proudly recycles items such as cardboard, paper, metal, aluminum, batteries, oil, copper wire and tires, as well as certain plastics and electronics.

For more information about Lewis County's Recycling Program, call (931) 796-6058.