Issues
Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act
Turning Trash Into Tennessee Jobs
Tennessee ranks 48th in the nation for recycling, and fewer than half of residents have access to recycling services at all. Landfills are filling up fast. Senator Heidi Campbell has a plan to fix that and create jobs in the process.
What the Bill Does
The Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility model for packaging. Companies that manufacture packaging join a statewide Producer Responsibility Organization, funding recycling services based on what they produce. That organization works with local governments to expand recycling access and consumer education, without sticking cities and counties with the bill.
Built for Small Business
Companies under $10 million in annual revenue are exempt, meaning most Tennessee small businesses see no new obligations. Counties under 200,000 residents can opt in rather than being required to join.
The Payoff
Senator Campbell estimates the bill could create more than 7,700 jobs, bring roughly $300 million a year into Tennessee's recycling infrastructure, and boost the state's recycling rate by over 350%, all while saving local governments money. It has drawn support from major manufacturers, Tennessee's aluminum industry, and bipartisan lawmakers.
Backed by Major Brands
The Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act has earned support from some of the biggest names in consumer goods, alongside leading recycling and sustainability organizations. Endorsers include Unilever, Nestle, Mars, Danone, and IKEA, as well as the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, The Recycling Partnership, the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Atlantic Packaging, and Aphena Pharma Solutions. These companies back the bill because it gives them a reliable, homegrown supply of recycled material to meet their own sustainability goals, while helping Tennessee compete with the seven other states that have already passed similar legislation.
Where It Stands
The bill hasn't yet passed the General Assembly, but momentum and bipartisan interest continue to grow. Senator Campbell is committed to bringing it back and making Tennessee a Southeast leader in modern recycling.
For more information about The Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act and how you can support it, click here
Pot for Potholes
A New Way to Fund Tennessee's Roads
Tennessee's infrastructure backlog runs deep: nearly $58 billion to fully repair the state's roads, bridges, and transit systems. Senator Heidi Campbell says the state already has an untapped revenue source sitting in plain sight: cannabis.
What the Bill Does
In 2026, Senator Campbell and Representative Aftyn Behn are sponsored the Pot for Potholes Act (SB 2440/HB 2525), which would have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older and directed the tax revenue toward roads, bridges, and transit. Adults could possess up to 60 grams and grow up to 12 plants for personal use. The bill created a regulated system for licensed cultivation, testing, processing, and sales, with a 15% sales tax funding the state highway fund and county infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Tennesseans already buy cannabis; they just drive to Illinois or Virginia to do it, sending tax revenue to other states. The bill prioritizes homegrown Tennessee businesses over large out-of-state operators, and supporters say it would help veterans and Tennesseans managing chronic illness who currently travel out of state for relief.
Where It Stands
The bill hasn't advanced yet in Tennessee's Republican-controlled legislature. Senator Campbell and Representative Behn continue building support through their public campaign and plan to refile the legislation in the 2027 legislative session.
For more information about Pot for Potholes and how you can support it, click here.