We’re less than a decade away from maximum capacity at Middle Point landfill in Rutherford County, where Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s trash goes.

What will we do when we reach that capacity? One idea to expand the landfill. However, the city of Murfreesboro has already pushed back with a lawsuit against Middle Point on the basis of it violating several EPA standards. What to do with Middle Tennessee’s trash is a real problem, and it’s not going anywhere. Some are asking why we are making so much trash in the first place. Is there a smarter way to deal with our waste? Can we soften our impact on the environment with recycling, composting and utilizing technology? What will it take to solve this problem?

But first, WPLN special projects editor Tony Gonzalez takes us on an intergalactic caper in Hickman County for the latest installment of Curious Nashville.

Guests: