Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program Launches Request for Expressions of Interest to Shape the Future of Waste, Recycling, and Zero Waste Innovation
Fairfax County's Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) is inviting innovative ideas and fresh perspectives to support its future waste diversion and zero waste goals through an open Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI).
The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) is seeking ideas, concepts, technologies, partnerships, strategies, services and potential infrastructure opportunities that could help improve the County's solid waste management system. SWMP has issued similar RFEIs previously to continually engage the business community with best practices and new innovations.
** The RFEI is not a procurement or solicitation, and submitting a response does not result in the award of a contract or guarantee future payment.
Yes. There is no limit to the number of concepts an organization may submit.
Yes, collaboration is encouraged! Organizations may submit a concept jointly with another company, nonprofit or other partner. Fairfax County is interested in proposals that bring together complementary expertise, resources and perspectives.
No. There is no required submission packet or standardized proposal form. Respondents should submit a PDF that provides enough information for SWMP staff to understand the organization, the concept and how it could potentially help the Fairfax County waste stream. The RFEI submission is intentionally flexible to accommodate different ideas and organizations that may require different approaches.
Respondents should generally address the following questions:
Not every proposal will fit perfectly into these categories. Respondents should use them as a general framework rather than a rigid application format.
The County is looking for a high-level concept or pitch, not a complete engineering or procurement proposal. Respondents are encouraged to provide high-level information about potential project costs and other financial considerations, implementation timelines, material requirements, and or siting needs. If relevant, including potential revenue or return on investment may be helpful to Fairfax County as it evaluates the concept. Detailed site plans, construction documents, permits, building specifications and itemized budgets are not necessary at this stage.
Pictures, charts, diagrams and graphics are encouraged when they help explain or visualize the concept.
Submissions should be 10 pages or fewer in total. The 10-page recommendation is not a strict limit, but respondents are encouraged to be concise and focus on communicating the concept clearly.
After the submission deadline, SWMP staff will review the responses and use the information to help inform future planning and decision-making.
Depending on the concepts received, SWMP staff may:
Submitting a response does not guarantee that a future procurement will occur or that the respondent will receive a contract. Any future procurement would follow applicable County procurement requirements.
The Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) is responsible for the management and oversight and long-range planning for all refuse collection, recycling, and disposal operations within the County. Current operations include a County-owned and operated refuse transfer station, two closed municipal solid waste landfills, a regional ash-fill operated by the County, two recycling and disposal facilities, and equipment and facilities for refuse collection, disposal, and recycling operations.
SWMP has a workforce of approximately 300 merit and 50 non-merit employees.
All current SWMP contracts are listed on Fairfax County’s Contract Register.
SWMP collects waste and recycling from approximately 45,600 households within approved sanitary districts. Additionally, SWMP provides curbside vacuum leaf collection to about 25,000 properties in designated leaf collection districts.
County collection customers receive one a week trash collection and once a week recycling collection. Once a week yard waste collection occurs from March 1 to December 24. Customers also receive five special pickups a year for piles of two 2 cubic yards. Special pickup items include freon appliances, brush, bulk items, electronics, and metals.
According to the 2025 Annual Recycling Report, Fairfax County generated 678,988 tons of municipal solid waste.
In 2025, over 96% of the municipal solid waste went to the waste-to-energy plant.
The Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) has an annual operating budget of more than $100M. is responsible for the management and oversight and long-range planning for all refuse collection, recycling, and disposal operations within the County. Current operations include a County-owned and operated refuse transfer station, two closed municipal solid waste landfills, a regional ash-fill operated by the County, two recycling and disposal facilities, and equipment and facilities for refuse collection, disposal, and recycling operations.
Detailed descriptions, discussions, and funding requirements for each of the Solid Waste Funds can be found on the FY2027 Adopted Budget Plan (Solid Waste Solid Waste Management Program Overview beginning on page 314.)
For more information on the content of Fairfax County’s Waste Stream, including breakdown of residential, commercial, and bulk, please review the 2024 Fairfax County Waste Characterization Study.
Detailed information on existing Fairfax County Contracts, can be viewed on Current County Contracts Register by using the search feature.
For more information on our waste-to-energy facility partner ReWorld, please visit their website at: A Leader in Sustainable Waste Solutions | Reworld™.