Since its founding in 2014, Rockwood Sustainable Solutions has grown to become a leader in construction waste recycling across Tennessee. While the company initially focused on shingle recycling, it wasn’t until 2019 that they saw the full potential for expanding their services. As Wilson County and beyond continue to build, Rockwood handles a wide range of construction materials, including drywall, wood, metal, concrete, and plastic, while staying committed to reducing landfill waste and supporting sustainable building practices.
President Lincoln Young recalls the turning point for the company. "We started as a shingle recycler, but we quickly realized the need to handle all types of construction waste. I’d talk to contractors about recycling just their wood or shingles, and they’d laugh at me. I knew then that to truly succeed, we had to recycle everything we could."
This shift led to Rockwood’s current focus on helping contractors meet sustainability goals—particularly those related to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. "LEED is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability, and one of the key components for contractors is waste management,” Young explains. “That’s where Rockwood comes in. We help create waste management plans, sort materials, and recycle as much as possible to meet LEED requirements."
The recycling process begins when contractors partner with Rockwood to develop a waste management plan. Contractors then decide whether to separate materials on-site or leave it to Rockwood. Once the waste is transported to Rockwood’s facility, the company sorts and recycles approximately 80% of the materials. The remaining non-recyclable waste is sent to the landfill, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the construction process.
One of Rockwood’s recent innovations has been its handling of drywall, a notoriously difficult material to recycle. "Drywall is tough to process because it’s difficult to keep clean and separate the paper from the gypsum,” Young says. “But we’ve invested in technology that shreds the drywall and screens out the paper, allowing us to recover the gypsum." This gypsum, a valuable byproduct, is used in fertilizers, Portland cement, and other agricultural products. "We work with local agriculture projects to ensure the gypsum is reused in ways that benefit the community,” he adds.
In recognition of their efforts, Rockwood Sustainable Solutions received the 2024 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in the Pursuit of Excellence category. "Winning this award was a huge honor," says Young. "It’s a recognition of the hard work of our team, who face challenging conditions every day. It’s also a testament to the passion our people have for our community and the environment."
Looking forward, Rockwood is focused on continuing its innovation in recycling. "We don’t own a landfill, so we’re always looking for new ways to recycle and reuse materials. One of the most promising opportunities is bio-char, a carbon sequestration material made from wood. As the market for bio-char grows, we want to explore how we can meet that demand using our recycled wood."
For Young, the most important part of Rockwood’s success is its connection to the community. "We rely on the community for everything—from the contractors who generate the waste to the people who use our recycled products. Rockwood wouldn’t exist without local support."
As the spring mulch season approaches, Young encourages readers to support Rockwood’s recycling efforts by purchasing recycled mulch from the Wilson Farmers Coop. "When you buy mulch there, you’re not just getting a product—you’re helping provide jobs and support local recycling programs."
Rockwood Sustainable Solutions is more than a recycling company; it’s a pioneer in construction waste management, a leader in sustainability, and a proud community partner. Visit rockwoodrecycling.com for more information.