O'Connell hires top official to handle trash, recycling collection

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced the hiring last week of Tracey Thurman to lead the city's new Waste Services Department .

Why it matters: Nashville is in a bit of a trash crisis . The landfills where the city sends its trash are filling up, and advocates say Nashville is behind the curve in implementing progressive solid waste strategies.

The big picture: Nashville is three years removed from service interruptions following the bankruptcy of its primary contractor.

• Service has been running more smoothly of late, O'Connell said.

The latest: The job of tackling those issues will now fall to Thurman, a Belmont graduate who comes to Metro after leading the solid waste department in Lexington, Kentucky.

State of play: Metro's trash and recycling collections have been in a state of bureaucratic flux. The Public Works Department previously handled those roles for many years. But the work shifted to the Water Department before the new standalone Waste Services agency was formed.

• During his press briefing last week, O'Connell said he discussed "where solid waste goes, what can be recycled, [and] the approach to zero waste" with Thurman and all of the candidates for the post.

The intrigue: O'Connell said his administration has not considered a "pay as you throw" policy, which charges residents and businesses fees for trash collection but picks up recycling, food scraps and yard waste for free.

• A 2019 solid waste master plan suggested Metro take that approach, which is the strategy of many major cities.

What she's saying: "Effectively managing the city's waste stream, while fostering environmental stewardship and increasing landfill diversion opportunities, are an essential part of Nashville's sustainable future," Thurman said in a press release.