Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fairfax committee reviews draft Unified Sanitation Districts, organics facility and proposed 0 Waste fees
Summary
County staff proposed phased Unified Sanitation Districts starting with single‑family rollout, a cart‑size pay‑as‑you‑throw fee beginning in FY2027 to fund staff and facilities, and plans for a regional organics processing facility; staff said state law creates a five‑year displacement clock once notification is issued.
Matthew Adams, division director for Solid Waste Management in Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, presented a draft ‘‘0 Waste’’ implementation timeline and a Unified Sanitation District (USD) model that would phase in countywide collection changes beginning with single‑family residences.
Adams told the Board the USD proposal would grant private contractors exclusive collection rights within defined districts and aim to standardize service, reduce truck traffic and create contractual performance standards. "This plan begins with single family or residential unified sanitation district creation," Adams said, noting the plan could be accelerated or postponed for commercial and multifamily sectors depending on demonstrated success in single‑family pilots.
Adams said the county expects to issue displacement notifications to single‑family collectors in spring 2025, which would start a state‑mandated five‑year displacement period. "That 5 year window is set by state law and we do not have the authority to change it currently," Adams said when asked about timing and DEQ review. The DEQ submittal and related public hearing timing were described as regulatory steps staff must follow before displacement can proceed.
Staff outlined a proposed cart‑size pay‑as‑you‑throw model in which customers choose container sizes (96‑, 64‑ or 35‑gallon options were described) and recycling and yard waste collection would be included without additional charge. Adams said the county expects to cover program implementation costs — including new outreach and enforcement positions — through the proposed 0 Waste fee. "The expansion in positions is covered by the 0 waste fee that will be charged," Adams said.
On organics, Adams said the county does not currently have sufficient regional processing capacity to handle organics at full implementation and would begin siting and permitting for a regional composting/organics facility upon plan approval. He said the organics facility "would generate revenue through a tip fee" and that processed compost could be marketed to local farms, businesses and for county projects.
Board members pressed on enforcement, effects for small haulers and treatment of commodities such as glass. Eric Ford (Solid Waste) and Director Chris Harrington said the county would use outreach, contamination tagging and contractual obligations to reduce contamination and could withhold collection for persistent contamination per contract terms; staff also said existing centralized glass collection markets would continue to be used.
Staff listed key next steps: initiate a comprehensive outreach campaign early in the new year, prepare a DEQ minor‑amendment submittal in coordination with board offices, issue displacement notifications in spring 2025, and hold a public hearing in early summer 2025 to start the displacement timeline. Adams estimated the single‑family rollout would take roughly four years after the five‑year displacement period to reach full implementation and indicated the commercial/multifamily rollout would take longer.
The presentation did not include a final vote; board members expressed support while asking staff for more detailed cost, contract and enforcement plans ahead of the public hearing.
