Dickson County C&D Diversion Study
Overview
Middle Tennessee is rapidly growing, with an influx of businesses and residents driving new construction and infrastructure development. As this expansion accelerates, the region faces increasing challenges in managing construction and demolition (C&D) debris. The Dickson County landfill—spanning 85 acres—represents an infrastructure asset in need of optimization.
With an active disposal area dedicated to C&D waste, the county confronted a challenge: extending the landfill's operational life while minimizing long-term economic burden. Dickson County needed to find a solution to maximize existing infrastructure and avoid the substantial costs associated with developing a transfer station or creating an entirely new disposal facility.
Wilmot’s Role
Our team conducted a data-driven approach to landfill optimization. We began by forecasting the landfill's remaining capacity, complemented by a waste audit that examined material composition and potential diversion opportunities. This analysis allowed us to design targeted strategies that would maximize efficiency and economic value including diversion of:
Wood
Untreated: Alternate daily cover
Treated: Feedstock as biofuel for a commercial boiler
Drywall
Agricultural soil amendment
Soil bulking agent
Shingles
Feedstock for mixed asphalt manufacturing
Implementation centered on two key mechanisms: cost-effective material diversion and strategic tip fee adjustments. The outcome extended the landfill's operational life by 36 years, which nearly triples its original life expectancy.
Beyond the immediate capacity gains, our approach is delivering sustained economic and environmental benefits. Taxpayers are realizing significant long-term savings and local reuse markets are supported. What began as a localized waste challenge became a blueprint for sustainable urban waste management.
Client
Dickson County C&D Landfill
Location
Dickson, TN
Markets
Construction & Demolition Recycling
Services
Materials Management Plan