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Recycle Right TN presents countywide convenience‑center traffic counts, urges signage and layout overhaul

Rutherford County Public Works and Planning Committee · January 7, 2026

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Summary

Recycle Right TN presented a week‑long traffic study showing roughly 31,000 vehicles (about 22% of households) used Rutherford County convenience centers in the sample week; the group recommended standardized pictorial signage, removal of unused vendor bins, lane delineation, and possible replacement of the La Verne site. The committee offered staff support and discussed potential special sessions and grant funding.

Donna Bennett (transcript also shows 'Donna Barrett' and 'Miss Bennett'), representing Recycle Right TN, presented findings and recommendations to the committee on Jan. 6 after conducting a week‑long traffic count of convenience centers across Rutherford County.

Bennett said the count covered one representative week (no holiday or school‑start anomalies) and recorded approximately 31,000 vehicle entries across all county centers — an estimated 22% of Rutherford County households visiting at least once during that week. She reported the week’s total waste tonnage from centers was about 488 tons, with single‑stream recyclables accounting for roughly 48 tons. La Verne was the busiest center (6,648 vehicles in the sample week) and Fosterville the least (737 vehicles). Bennett told the committee Recycle Right TN paid roughly $18,000 for the one‑week countywide count and that county staff could do more targeted counts in the future at lower cost.

Recommendations included replacing confusing or handwritten signs with standardized, photo‑based signage that reduces language barriers; removing obsolete vendor bins that occupy space; improving lane delineation and flow at high‑traffic sites such as La Verne and Smyrna; and developing a consistent layout so users know where glass or cardboard bins will be at every site. Bennett said the group was exploring private grants to fund signage and requested that the county post Recycle Right TN materials on the county solid‑waste website.

Interim Solid Waste Director Matt Davis described current metrics — including a December diversion rate of 12.76% — and acknowledged the department is reviewing site designs and potential improvements. Commissioners offered to use in‑house traffic‑engineering resources or convene a special work session to move recommendations forward. The presentation closed with broad committee support for further study and coordination between Recycle Right TN and county staff.