Annual Progress Report

Overview of the Reporting Process

Throughout 2023, DSWM staff has been working diligently to develop a new reporting platform for the Annual Progress Reports (APR) and Solid Waste Origin Reports (SWOR).

The new platform will be easier for report authors to use and the data collection will be brought in-house for better data management.

Re-TRAC Connect will be used one last time for Quarter 4 SWOR data for CY ‘23. All of CY ’24 SWOR data will be entered into MyTDEC Forms.

If you need training for the new reporting platform, please reach out to Christina Perez to schedule a one-on-one.

Any data for the 2023 APR and 2024 SWOR can be entered at MyTDEC Forms.
 

Why Local Solid Waste Management Reporting Matters

The 1991 Solid Waste Management Plan identified the following solid waste issues: uncertainty regarding solid waste capacity, lack of a materials management approach (including lack of capacity in recycling collection and processing), inadequate garbage collection infrastructure, and lack of information about the cost of solid waste management. Reporting has played and will continue to play a key role in addressing all of these issues. Reporting allows TDEC to:

• Assess how regional plans tie into the State Plan
• Better understand how regions are implementing their plans
• Determine which regions are meeting established goals
• Understand why regions may not be meeting current goals
• Better set goals and expectations
• Consider changes in waste management costs and waste capacity needs

Background Information

Solid Waste Management Act of 1991

The Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 states that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) “shall make available on its website, by January 1 of each year, the forms and information to be used by the regions to file an Annual Progress Report (APR).” It also states that “each region shall submit the annual report to the commissioner by March 31 for the immediately preceding calendar year…which will include data on the following: collection, recycling, transportation, disposal, public costs, and any other information that the board, by rule, deems relevant to solid waste planning and management.” Furthermore, regions are also required to submit an APR on the implementation of their approved Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Regional Plans in conjunction with the annual report.

Ultimately, each MSW Region is responsible for all waste streams and how they are managed in the region. County control and responsibility of specific waste streams and proportions are defined by the region’s Solid Waste Plan and approved by the region’s Solid Waste Board. If municipalities operate solid waste systems, they are responsible for waste in their jurisdiction; otherwise, the county is responsible.

Under the TDEC 2015 - 2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan (the State Plan), TDEC considers all municipal and county governments that operate solid waste systems in their jurisdictions critical partners for implementation. In fact, the State’s 2025 Plan is intended to provide local governments with various strategies and tactics that can be evaluated for adoption and implementation in their respective jurisdictions. TDEC assumes many of these strategies and tactics will be incorporated into Solid Waste Regional Plans. Currently, TDEC assists local governments within the regions with technical assistance.

Municipal Solid Waste Planning Regions

A map for municipal solid waste planning regions can be found HERE.

Local Solid Waste Management Reporting and Planning Guidance

Information for the 2023 Annual Progress Report for Solid Waste can be entered at Re-TRAC Connect. Additionally, the Local Solid Waste Management Planning and Guidance and 2023 Recycling and Diversion Reporting Surveys documents serve to assist regions in further understanding of reporting, the reporting requirements, and the current reporting process.

• 2023 Residential Recycling, Diversion, and Disposal Survey
• 2023 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Recycling and Diversion Disposal Survey

APR Workshops for 2023 Reporting Year

DSWM Recovered Materials will hold five APR workshops in January. The workshops will provide valuable, time-saving training and tools to APR authors, solid waste directors, and technical assistance personnel.

January 3rd at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST at the Knoxville Field Office

January 4^th at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST Fleming Training Center

January 9^th at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST West Tennessee River Basin Authority

January 10^th at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST Chattanooga Environmental Field Office

January 17^th at 9:00 AM CST/ 10:00 AM EST Via TEAMS

The Materials Management Staff has prepared instructional videos on some aspects of the APR and how to use the Re-Trac web software. Please keep an eye on this space for additional videos.

• APR Overview
• Re-Trac Overview
• Administrative Contact Information 
• 10-Year Plan Update
• Forgotten Username or Password

If you need more information or if you have any questions, please contact any of our Recovered Materials staff.