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Radon Action Month
Governor Bill Lee has declared January 2021 as Radon Action Month in Tennessee and TDEC encourages you to protect your health by testing the indoor air in your home for radon. Testing your home is easy and free.
Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Radon can enter a home through cracks and other openings. Concerning levels of radon gas can be found in homes in all 95 Tennessee counties. Radon is only detectable by performing a home test. An interactive map of past test results in Tennessee is available here.
In the United States, an estimated 21,000 deaths occur every year due to radon induced lung cancer. Many people live with high exposure levels for years without knowing. Radon, like smoking, carries higher risks with longer exposure. To learn more about radon in Tennessee, please visit the Department of Health’s radon webpage.
There is an easy way to find out if radon is elevated in your home with a free test from the Department of Environment and Conservation. Visit the website or call 1-800-232-1139 to request a free radon test kit. Supplies are limited and prioritized by date of request. The kit comes with detailed instructions and pre-paid postage to send the kit back to the lab to be analyzed.
Knowledge is power. Know the radon level in your home.
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Nominations are now open for the 2021 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards! Find more information and the application HERE.
Nominations are being accepted until April 1, 2021
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The Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP) is excited to announce that its application period will be open annually in TDEC’s Grant Management System. Potential applicants can register and apply online. TEAP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to eligible entities in Tennessee that fit into one or more of the following eligible project categories: Tire Recycling, Tire-derived Material Use, and Research and Development. The TEAP grant application will be open from January 18, 2021 to April 18, 2021. Applications can be submitted through TDEC’s Grants Management System. Awards will be announced by June 1, 2021. Please visit the TEAP webpage for more information on project categories, funding amounts, required match, and eligibility.
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Join us for the third webinar in our four-part webinar series “Navigating the Hierarchy of Food Recovery” on February 11th from 1 to 2:30pm CST. Our third webinar will be focused on food waste diversion, with speakers discussing anerobic digestion, large scale composting, and backyard composting, and the benefits of each strategy as well as what might be best for your home, business, and community.
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| TGSP Member Highlight
The Tennessee Green Star Partnership is proud to present our 4th annual program review. In 2020 the Tennessee Green Star Partnership grew by five additional partners to a total of 57 unique manufacturing facilities around the state, each of which exemplify quality, integrity and sustainability. We are exceptionally proud of the program’s growth considering this extremely challenging and unique year.
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As many of us contemplate our new year’s resolutions, there are various state programs and facilities to help you toss those bad habits, achieve your goals, and help the environment at the same time.
As we welcome 2021, it’s a great opportunity to make the resolution to reduce your waste footprint. Think of ways you can limit the amount of waste you are generating by becoming a more conscious consumer. For more information and resources on how you can help Tennessee move towards zero waste, visit TDEC’s Zero Waste TN website.
If losing weight and getting healthier is your goal, visiting any of Tennessee’s 56 State Parks is a great way to improve both your mental and physical well-being. Download the Healthy Parks Healthy Person App and earn rewards for spending time outdoors and getting healthy. Go take a hike, ride your bike, or canoe your way to some awesome prizes.
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Materials Management Corner
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Did you know that the State of Tennessee has a 25% waste reduction and diversion goal? The purpose of this goal is to reduce the amount of solid waste disposed of at Class I municipal solid waste disposal facilities. At the beginning of each year, solid waste representatives from each region are required to gather metrics and related information on the amount of commodities (metals, plastics, organics, single stream, etc.) recycled and/or diverted by local municipalities and any industrial, commercial, and institutional facility for the previous year. Once all the data is collected and verified by TDEC personnel, staff will generate a report for the Governor’s review. To view the 2019 Governor’s Report, click here.
Here are some ways that you can help your region reach their 25% goal:
- Be a part of your municipal/county recycling program by recycling right curbside or at a convenient center. The more you recycle right, the less material ends up in landfills.
- Check to see if your place of business is reporting recycling or diversion information to your solid waste planning region or TDEC Recovered Materials Staff by calling the number below. For further information on the State’s 25% waste reduction and diversion goal, ask TDEC at Solid.Waste@tn.gov or 615-532-0780.
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Conferences/Workshops/Training Opportunities
Stay tuned as we receive updates about upcoming conferences.
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