Tennessee's Pollution Prevention (P2) Program is located within TDEC's non-regulatory Office of Sustainable Practices. The P2 Program provides educational resources related to pollution prevention to Tennessee's manufacturers. Pollution prevention is defined as any practice that prevents, reduces, or eliminates pollution at its source. You are receiving this newsletter as part of Tennessee's environmental-regulated community. 

TDEC Hazardous Waste information is available on our website that can prepare you for any potential inspection of your facility regarding the handling, storage, labeling of any material regulated as hazardous.  

Hazardous waste program inspectors make unannounced visits to a facility. During the inspection, the inspector will:

- Begin with an intro meeting to discuss the facility and the generator status (very small, small, or large generator of hazardous waste).

- Take a technical and guided walkthrough of the facility.

- Inspect areas of focus will be where hazardous waste, universal waste, and used oil is generated and managed.

- Review the previous three years of records and required documents.

The inspection will end with an exit meeting to discuss and summarize observations about the facility.

A report will be sent to the facility about 30 to 45 days after the inspection. If you receive a Notice of Violation (NOV), you will have corrective action items that specify when and what the facility needs to do to come back into compliance. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the inspector (contact information should be at the end of the letter) to ask questions and get clarification on specific regulations that apply to your facility. 

We hope you enjoyed this month's PRO TIP!  Contact Pollution.Prevention@tn.gov for any further help or submit questions for future editions.

The Future Ready Manufacturing: Efficiency, Savings, and Sustainability workshop will be held on July 29 - 30 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) in Knoxville. There will be a variety of sessions and speakers, and the workshop will conclude with a tour of the MDF facility. A draft agenda is available on the workshop website with more information coming soon.

Registration is limited to 60 attendees, so reserve your spot now!

During this workshop, participants will gain access to proven tools, technical resources, and real-world strategies to support waste reduction, process optimization, energy efficiency, and safer chemical substitution. While recycling is not considered a primary P2 approach, innovative recycling solutions will be explored as a complementary strategy to maximize resource value. Attendees will leave with actionable insights they can apply immediately to improve their bottom line while advancing sustainability goals.

Advancing Sustainability in Food and Beverage Manufacturing Workshop

August 19th, 1 - 4 pm

Tennessee Sustainability Conference, Gatlinburg

The P2 program is offering a workshop specifically geared toward food and beverage manufacturers! This FREE workshop will take place in conjunction with the Tennessee Sustainability Conference.

This half‑day workshop will equip food and beverage manufacturers with practical strategies for reducing toxics, conserving water, improving facility efficiency, and preventing food waste. Through expert presentations, peer case studies, and interactive discussions, participants will gain actionable insights they can apply directly within their operations.

Stay tuned to the P2 Resources website for more information and registration.

June 24 2026 at 1 pm central

DOE's Better Plants Program - REGISTER NOW

Join us for a collaborative webinar with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) highlighting the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants program. Better Plants partners with leading manufacturers and wastewater treatment agencies to set ambitious goals that drive energy, water, and waste efficiency. Participants will learn how the program’s Technical Account Managers, tools, trainings, and technical assistance help organizations boost reliability and competitiveness while identifying practical opportunities for savings. Whether you’re new to industrial efficiency or looking to advance your existing efforts, this session will provide valuable insights to support your sustainability journey.

August 2026

Zero Waste for Community Events

Tennessee has declared October 27 as Zero Waste Day, and it's an excellent opportunity for your facility to provide recycling events for your employees and local community. Join our webinar to learn more about Zero Waste Day and resources that are available to ensure your event is a success.

October 2026

Enhancing Operations Through Employee‑Driven Solutions

TDEC’s Pollution Prevention team has invited Green Star Partners to showcase some of the most effective employee‑driven improvements observed during site visits across Tennessee. In this webinar, guest presenters will share practical tips, creative solutions, and proven strategies that you can consider applying at your own facility.

📅 Stay tuned to the P2 Resources website for more information and registration.

The Office of Sustainable Practices is continuing to pursue providing technical assistance, networking and educational opportunities to our regulated community in 2026.

Our last webinar was a success. If you were not able to join us, please visit our YouTube channel-

Materials Reuse in Tennessee Industry: Opportunities in the Plastics Recycling Supply Chain

TN's Pollution Prevention (P2) Program is conducting a 10-minute, voluntary survey to better understand how we can help manufacturers find ways to reduce operational expenses through increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources, while protecting natural resources through conservation.

2026 Pollution Prevention Industry Survey  

Your answers provide us the information to develop webinars, workshops and technical assistance for Tennessee's industry. Please take a few minutes and have a chance to win Tennessee State Parks Gift Basket (valued at more than $50). Winners will be selected following the conclusion of the survey, open through the end of May, and contacted by OSP staff.

Toyota Boshoku Tennessee (TBTN) joined the Tennessee Green Star Partnership in October 2025! Located in Jackson, TBTN serves as a major production hub within Toyota Boshoku’s North American supply chain. As a specialized metal stamping and welding facility, the plant manufactures seat components for Toyota, Lexus, and other OEM vehicles, supporting millions of vehicles each year.

Established in 2001, TBTN employs more than 600 team members who support the continuous flow of high‑precision automotive components.

TBTN holds long-standing certifications for environmental and quality excellence, including ISO 14001 since 2007 and IATF 16949 since 2004. The facility has maintained zero ISO audit findings for both 2024 and 2025, reflecting an organizational culture grounded in safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

A defining feature of TBTN’s operational strategy is its commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. This approach resulted in an 80% reduction in waste disposal fees over 20 months and a decrease in landfill waste from 141 tons in FY2024 to zero in the first half of FY2025. Through strategic collaboration with a new waste vendor, the facility achieved zero landfill waste as of September 2025.

Environmental and safety efforts at the facility are supported through established programs and partnerships, including participation in regional Zero Waste Tennessee events that promote sustainable waste practices for residents and businesses.

Beyond its operational achievements, the Jackson facility maintains a strong commitment to supporting the community. TBTN participates in an annual tree giveaway, distributing over 600 trees to staff members, and regularly organizes donation drives benefiting Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and the Regional Inter‑Faith Association. The facility also hosts Lifeline Blood Services to make blood donation accessible to employees.

Toyota Boshoku Tennessee’s dedication to environmental stewardship, continuous improvement, and community engagement make the Jackson facility an outstanding addition to the Tennessee Green Star Partnership and a model for sustainable manufacturing across the state.

Are you an industry that has consistently gone beyond compliance? Are you a leader in corporate and manufacturing sustainability? Please visit our TGSP webpage to see if you qualify for participation in this partnership. 

Save the Date for August 19th through the 21st 2026 at the Park Vista hotel in beautiful Gatlinburg, TN. This is Tennessee's premiere gathering for sustainable industry and recycling vendors. Be on the watch for registeration and the agenda.