SSWI operates the largest mixed co-composting facility in the nation.

Sevier Solid Waste takes all the waste from the Cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge; Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  All the waste (commonly called MSW), is mixed with bio-solids and pushed into large in-vessel digesters for 3 days.  During this time, all the organic waste (food, paper and cardboard), becomes compost.  

All the in-organics are removed from the compost and landfilled.  The compost is then screened and placed in windrows where it will remain for 28 days. This compost is finally screened to 1/4 inch minus, meaning it has very small remnants of the residual waste left. These small residuals are not harmful to the environment or the soil. The residuals as well as the high nutrients and pH makes the compost best suited to be mixed with dirt to make a topsoil mixture. After the final screen, SSWI has Grade A compost.

SSWI produces over 50,000 tons of compost each year.  This compost is available free of charge to the public to spread on local farms, use for erosion control, or topsoil mixtures. To inquire about receiving free compost, contact us at lynisa@seviersolidwaste.org or 865-453-5676.

Interested in learning more about our compost?  Contact us at lhoward@seviersolidwaste.org or 865-453-5676.