Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Solid Waste Closure/Post-Closure Bond
Overview
Closing a solid waste facility in Tennessee triggers a financial assurance requirement that doesn't end when the gates close — it follows you through the post-closure monitoring period, sometimes for decades. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) requires this bond to guarantee that closure and post-closure care obligations are fully funded and completed, regardless of what happens to the facility or its owner. If closure or remediation work is left incomplete, TDEC can draw on the bond to finish the job and protect the surrounding environment. Solid waste facility operators across Tennessee rely on this bond to satisfy TDEC's permit conditions and keep their operations in compliance.
Who Needs This Bond?
Solid waste facility owners and operators in Tennessee are the principals on this bond. If you own or operate a permitted landfill, a solid waste disposal facility, or a similar regulated site governed by TDEC's solid waste program, this bond is a required part of your financial assurance package. It applies to both active facilities approaching closure and those already in the post-closure care phase that must maintain continuous financial assurance. Without it, TDEC will not approve your closure plan or continue your operating permit.
What is this Bond For?
Solid waste sites don't stop presenting environmental risk the moment they stop accepting waste — leachate migration, gas generation, and groundwater contamination can persist for years or decades after closure. This bond guarantees that you will carry out all closure activities required by your TDEC-approved closure plan and maintain the site through the full post-closure care period. If you fail to complete closure work, cease operations without fulfilling your obligations, or default on post-closure maintenance requirements, TDEC is protected and can use the bond to fund corrective action. The public and Tennessee's environment are the ultimate beneficiaries.
When is it Required?
Permit approval and renewal through TDEC's solid waste program is the moment this bond becomes mandatory. Before TDEC will approve a closure plan or certify that a facility is in compliance with post-closure requirements, acceptable financial assurance — including this surety bond — must already be in place. Bond amount requirements are tied to the cost estimates in your TDEC-approved closure and post-closure care plans, which means the bond must be updated whenever those cost estimates change. Operating a permitted solid waste facility in Tennessee without maintaining this bond puts your permit at immediate risk.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is a statewide Tennessee requirement administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. It covers solid waste facilities permitted under TDEC's solid waste management program anywhere in the state. There is no local or county-level alternative — TDEC is the obligee, and the bond must meet TDEC's specific financial assurance standards.
How to Buy Online
Click the Buy This Bond Online button on this page and you'll be taken directly to the secure surety portal in a new tab, where you can complete your application for the Tennessee TDEC Solid Waste Closure/Post-Closure Bond. The process is online, straightforward, and moves as fast as your information does. Once approved, your bond documentation is ready for submission to TDEC.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built for operators who need bonding done right the first time, without waiting on an agent callback. Our nationwide catalog includes environmental and solid waste bonds across all fifty states, so you're never redirected or told to call back. Buy online, get your bond, satisfy TDEC, and get back to work.