CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga is testing out curbside composting and glass recycling for the first time. City Council approved roughly $250,000 in funding for the nine-month pilot program during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The city will partner with two local companies — NewTerra Composting and Overlooked Materials — to handle pickup and processing. Officials say both companies were chosen directly since they’re the only ones in the area offering these types of services.
The composting portion will be supported through a matching grant with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, with both the state and city contributing about $105,000 each.
The glass recycling effort will cost the city another $45,000.
The program will launch in select neighborhoods, including Brainerd and Belvoir, with curbside service available to participating homes. Compost drop-off options will also be available citywide.
Councilman Dennis Clark was the lone “no” vote, saying Public Works is already stretched thin and still behind on basic services like brush pickup.
He also criticized what he called a lack of communication about how the program would work.
Under the city’s agreement, Overlooked Materials will receive $4 per participating household plus $12 to cover the cost of new bins.
NewTerra will be paid between $17 and $19 per home depending on how many people sign up.
The city first announced the pilot in September.
Enrollment for both services is still open, with collections expected to begin later this month.