Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
703-324-5230 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 458, Fairfax, Va 22035
Eric Forbes
Director, Solid Waste Management

Disposal Fees Explained

QUICK SUMMARY

  • The Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) does not make a profit from its services. Disposal fees reflect the amount it costs SWMP to provide waste and recycling services.
  • Fees support the 265 SWMP staff and 237 Vehicles and Equipment that operate and maintain 623 acres of land.
  • Fees also fund services for residents to dispose of hard-to-recycle materials, like e-waste, household hazardous waste, and household appliances.

WHY DID THE RATES GO UP?

You may have noticed that the solid waste commercial and residential fees increased. The cost to operate our facilities along with our contracted recycling and waste disposal service providers have gone up. Also, since the Covid pandemic, the SWMP used reserve funds to minimize cost increases to collectors and residents. To be fiscally responsible, SWMP must reduce reliance on reserve funds and adjust solid waste fees to better reflect the cost to provide County trash and recycling services.

We continue to identify and implement operational changes to reduce costs and rebuild reserves. To support long-term financial sustainability, SWMP will work with a consultant to evaluate the solid waste fee structure and reserve levels. SWMP is also looking to find new revenue streams and align spending with core operations.

WHAT SERVICES DO THE DISPOSAL FEES FUND?

SWMP operates and maintains a waste transfer station, two closed municipal solid waste landfills, a regional ashfill, and two recycling and disposal facilities.


Photos: Click for larger photo.

SWMP Staff

265 staff

SWMP Vehicles and Equipment

237 Vehicles and Equipment

 
SWMP Land

623 acres of land

 

 

The photos below explain what happens to your trash after it is picked up by your collector.

Every day, SWMP staff keep county communities clean, safe, and healthy by recycling and disposing of waste and offering the following services to county residents.

Want to learn more?

Detailed information on the Solid Waste Management Program budget can be found under Volume 2: Capital Construction and Other Operating Funds in the current year’s adopted County budget plan on the Department of Management and Budget webpage.


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