Solid Waste Management Plan Update

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The City of Fairfax is updating its Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) — a 20-year roadmap for how our community will reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, and safely dispose of waste. This plan is more than just a state requirement. It’s our chance to rethink how we handle waste in ways that protect the environment, support public health, and build a more sustainable future.

We Want Your Input!

Your voice is essential. Help shape the future of the city's recycling and sustainable waste management in our community by spending just 10 minutes on the quick survey below. As a thank-you, every resident who participates will be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes valued at $50 (one entry per person).

What is a Solid Waste Management Plan?

A Solid Waste Management Plan is a long-term planning document that guides how the city manages all aspects of waste. It’s not just about day-to-day trash and recycling — it sets the goals, outcomes, and activities, that shape:

  • Future projects and infrastructure like recycling facilities or composting sites

  • Programs and services such as curbside recycling, drop-off centers, or reuse initiatives

  • Education and outreach efforts to help residents and businesses reduce waste

  • Budget and policy decisions that keep services efficient, equitable, and environmentally responsible

The plan covers the entire waste stream — from source reduction and reuse, to recycling and composting, to waste-to-energy and landfilling. It also ensures the city meets Virginia’s mandatory 25% recycling rate and provides strategies for achieving Fairfax’s own ambitious sustainability goals. By law, the plan must be maintained and updated every five years (Virginia Code 9VAC20-130-120.C), but its vision stretches 20 years into the future.

What is the goal of this SWMP Update?

The City of Fairfax is in the process of updating its Solid Waste Management Plan that will satisfy state requirements but also constructs a strategic planning tool for the future of the city. In the next 20 years, the city will address the following needs and objectives outlined in the SWMP:

  • Reduce and Reuse Initiatives

  • Construction and Debris Reclamation

  • Recycling

  • Composting

  • Continued Education & Outreach

Waste management connects to nearly every part of our daily lives. It impacts:

  • Our environment — landfills and litter affect air, water, and wildlife.

  • Our health — proper collection and disposal protect neighborhoods from pests and pollution.

  • Our economy — recycling and composting conserve resources and create jobs.

  • Our community — clean parks, streets, and public spaces improve quality of life

A strong SWMP ensures that as our community grows, we continue to manage waste in ways that are safe, sustainable, and cost-effective.


The City of Fairfax is updating its Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) — a 20-year roadmap for how our community will reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, and safely dispose of waste. This plan is more than just a state requirement. It’s our chance to rethink how we handle waste in ways that protect the environment, support public health, and build a more sustainable future.

We Want Your Input!

Your voice is essential. Help shape the future of the city's recycling and sustainable waste management in our community by spending just 10 minutes on the quick survey below. As a thank-you, every resident who participates will be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes valued at $50 (one entry per person).

What is a Solid Waste Management Plan?

A Solid Waste Management Plan is a long-term planning document that guides how the city manages all aspects of waste. It’s not just about day-to-day trash and recycling — it sets the goals, outcomes, and activities, that shape:

  • Future projects and infrastructure like recycling facilities or composting sites

  • Programs and services such as curbside recycling, drop-off centers, or reuse initiatives

  • Education and outreach efforts to help residents and businesses reduce waste

  • Budget and policy decisions that keep services efficient, equitable, and environmentally responsible

The plan covers the entire waste stream — from source reduction and reuse, to recycling and composting, to waste-to-energy and landfilling. It also ensures the city meets Virginia’s mandatory 25% recycling rate and provides strategies for achieving Fairfax’s own ambitious sustainability goals. By law, the plan must be maintained and updated every five years (Virginia Code 9VAC20-130-120.C), but its vision stretches 20 years into the future.

What is the goal of this SWMP Update?

The City of Fairfax is in the process of updating its Solid Waste Management Plan that will satisfy state requirements but also constructs a strategic planning tool for the future of the city. In the next 20 years, the city will address the following needs and objectives outlined in the SWMP:

  • Reduce and Reuse Initiatives

  • Construction and Debris Reclamation

  • Recycling

  • Composting

  • Continued Education & Outreach

Waste management connects to nearly every part of our daily lives. It impacts:

  • Our environment — landfills and litter affect air, water, and wildlife.

  • Our health — proper collection and disposal protect neighborhoods from pests and pollution.

  • Our economy — recycling and composting conserve resources and create jobs.

  • Our community — clean parks, streets, and public spaces improve quality of life

A strong SWMP ensures that as our community grows, we continue to manage waste in ways that are safe, sustainable, and cost-effective.


  • Solid Waste Management Plan Survey

    The City of Fairfax is updating its Solid Waste Management Plan, which is our community’s long-term roadmap for how we handle trash, recycling, composting, and waste reduction. To make sure the plan reflects our community’s needs, we are asking for feedback from residents, businesses, and visitors alike! Your input will help guide how the city manages waste in the years ahead.  


    This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. All answers are confidential and will only be reported in summary. As a thank-you, City of Fairfax residents who participate will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $50 prizes (limit one response per person). If you have questions or need help, please contact Melissa McDonald at refuserecycling@fairfaxva.gov or 703-385-7837.    

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 08 Dec 2025, 08:34 AM