After issuing several zoning violations and stop-work orders, the City of Knoxville has taken additional proactive steps against Greenphalt Recycling - including the posting of signs today at the company's two sites.
Public Service Department crews posted notices that Greenphalt has not been permitted for the disposal of solid waste by the State of Tennessee or any other regulating authority.
"We hope the signs will highly discourage citizens and contractors from coming to Greenphalt and dumping their shingles and other solid waste," said David Brace, Director of Public Service. "If they do, they will now face fines and possibly the costs associated with cleaning up the material."
In addition to signage, Municipal Code Enforcement Officers from the Public Service Department started randomly monitoring the entrances to both Greenphalt sites last week. Inspectors notified potential Greenphalt customers that the site is not permitted for the disposal of roofing materials and other wastes.
"Our inspectors are spending several hours each day monitoring the flow of vehicles into both Greenphalt sites", says Brace. "We communicate the potential violation, document the vehicle and tag number and if they dump material at the site we will immediately issue a citation to the individual for illegally dumping."
Greenphalt opened a few months after severe storms came through Knoxville in April 2011 and damaged several homes. Roofing repair companies have been disposing of used shingles at Greenphalt locations at Boruff Street and Lexington Drive.
The City of Knoxville has received numerous complaints about the sites from area residents and last week filed a suit seeking injunctive relief requiring Greenphalt to stop unlawful use of the properties.
A hearing for the lawsuit seeking injunctive relief will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6.
In the meantime, Permitted Class IV landfills in Knox County that accept materials generally described as construction and demolition debris include: C&D Landfill Riverside at 3330 Riverside Drive; and Poplar View Landfill at 1730 McMillan Station Road. There are other landfills in neighboring counties as well.