The Tennessee Recycling Coalition announced the 2026 Recycler of the Year Awards, which were presented at the recent Tennessee Sustainability Conference. This special program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses in Tennessee that have demonstrated a commitment to and outstanding achievement in waste prevention and recycling.
Caleb Powell, Tennessee Sustainability Conference director and TRC chairman of the board, along with TRC Executive Director Amber Greene, presented the awards during the annual conference held at Gatlinburg’s Park Vista Hotel. The collaborative event was organized by TRC, the TN Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tennessee Environmental Conference.
The award for Business Recycler of the Year was presented to The Compost Company. Based in Ashland City and serving Nashville and all Middle Tennessee since 2012, The Compost Company is the only full-circle composting service in the region. The award was accepted by owners Clay and Jeffrey Ezell.
Y-12 National Security Complex’s Stewardship Operations Services Program was named Government Recycler of the Year. The Y-12 complex is committed to conducting activities in a manner which protects the public and the environment, prevents pollution, complies with applicable regulations, and continuously improves the management systems. Y-12’s Chloe Brown accepted the award.
Tennessee Delta Alliance was named Non-Profit Recycler of the Year. Tennessee Delta Alliance is a Byway Management Organization with a dual-purpose to manage the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and a water-based, regional Keep America Beautiful alignment. Under the leadership of Director Edmond McDavis III, who received the award, the Tennessee Delta Alliance is actively involved in litter prevention and environmental stewardship education in the Mississippi River Delta in Tennessee.
This year’s Top TN Recycling Leader award was presented to Buford Powell in a moving speech from his son Caleb Powell. Buford is an industry professional with extensive experience in solid waste management. Most recently, Powell oversaw SP Recycling Southeast, LLC’s operations in LaVergne, Tenn.
The Tom Hattle Memorial Award was presented to Jennifer Sauer, STEM and Environmental Studies educator and Social Justice advocate with Knox County Schools. Among the highlights of Jennifer’s work is leading students working in veggie and native gardens in the South Doyle Middle School’s Green STEM related arts classes and more.
This year’s Bob Fletcher Memorial Award Scholarship was presented to Autumn Greene by Bob’s daughter Alexis Fletcher-Biggs. Autumn has served as a summer intern at Tennessee Recycling Coalition. She plans to major in Wildlife Biology and Zoology. Bob’s widow Betty and daughter Ashland were also present.
Abbie Greene, twin sister to Autumn, had the opportunity to share her presentation about growing up in the environmental industry as the daughter of TRC’s Amber Greene. Abbie is passionate about environmental stewardship. Her fundraising efforts for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital garnered a $3k donation from Meridian 91TV.
The Tennessee Environmental Conference presented the 2026 Paul Hayden Memorial Award to fellow Greene County resident and environmental steward Jerry Griffin. For more than 50 years, Jerry has emulated Paul’s leadership as a volunteer conservationist and community leader whose work has shaped the environment and inspired generations of new stewards across the region. Most recently, Jerry has been a hero during clean-up after Hurricane Helene. He is serving on the David Crockett Birthplace State Park advisory board during the total rebuild of the park. Jerry Griffin never shies away from hard work and dedication to environmental protection, and we were pleased to present him this special award.