Chattanooga, TN – The City of Chattanooga will introduce two new pilot programs aimed at reducing landfill waste and promoting responsible recycling, running now through June 30, 2026. In partnership with NewTerra Composting and Overlooked Materials, select residents will have access to curbside food waste composting and glass recycling collection, with the initial rollout focused primarily in the Brainerd area.
Food waste, which accounts for nearly 25% of landfill content and is the third-largest source of methane emissions nationwide, will be collected through a program led by locally owned NewTerra Composting. The company converts food scraps into nutrient-rich compost to divert organic material from landfills while enriching local soil. Residents can sign up for curbside pickup here. Drop-off kiosks for compostable materials will also be installed at each of Chattanooga’s five recycling centers, available citywide.
The glass recycling pilot is managed by Chattanooga-based Overlooked Materials, which specializes in recycling hard-to-process materials and transforming them into useful products. Residents can enroll in the curbside glass recycling program here. Questions about the program can be directed to [email protected].
Both programs are voluntary and open only to residents. Participants will receive dedicated containers and instructions for separating food and glass waste.
The pilot will initially serve the following neighborhoods:
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Zone 1: Belvoir Neighborhood Area
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Zone 2: Brainerd Neighborhood Area
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Zone 3: Brainerd Hills Neighborhood Area
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Kiosk composting: Citywide
The composting program is funded through an Organics Management grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Solid Waste Management, highlighting how local partnerships can positively impact the community, economy, and environment.