Chattanooga Expands Glass Recycling Pilot While Ending Curbside Composting Services

The City of Chattanooga is restructuring its environmental pilot programs by extending its glass recycling initiative for one year while phasing out curbside food scrap collection. The curbside composting program, managed by New Terra, is scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2026, though residents will retain access to five drop-off recycling centers for organic waste. These adjustments reflect the city's ongoing efforts to manage landfill capacity, as food waste currently accounts for approximately 25% of the local waste stream.

Chattanooga city leaders have announced a one-year expansion of the Glass Savers pilot program, aimed at increasing the diversion of glass from local landfills. This expansion includes the addition of three new service zones, building upon the initial test area established in Brainerd. Residents within these newly designated zones are encouraged to sign up for the program as the city evaluates the potential for a future city-wide rollout. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address specific materials that contribute significantly to the municipal waste stream.

In contrast to the glass recycling expansion, the city’s curbside composting pilot program is set to conclude. The service provider, New Terra, will officially end curbside collection operations on June 30, 2026. For the current phase, the deadline for residents to submit service change requests is June 19, with final curbside collections scheduled for the week of June 22. Despite the end of curbside pickup, the city will maintain five designated recycling centers where residents can continue to drop off food scraps for processing.

The decision to modify these programs comes as city officials highlight the critical need for waste diversion, noting that food waste represents 25% of the material entering Chattanooga's landfills. By testing these pilot programs in specific zones, the city aims to identify the most efficient methods for reducing landfill reliance. Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a Chattanooga City Council meeting on June 16 to discuss these green initiatives and the future of the city's environmental strategy.