Fairfax County officials are moving forward with plans to overhaul how trash and recycling are handled, aiming to have a centralized collection system by 2030. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has proposed a 鈥淯nified Sanitation District鈥� model to replace the current system, where most residents hire private haulers. Instead, the county would grant exclusive contracts to private companies to manage waste collection in specific geographic areas.
County officials argue that a centralized system will improve service reliability, lower residents鈥� costs and reduce waste collection鈥檚 environmental impact by streamlining operations and decreasing truck traffic. 鈥淭his is a major undertaking, but I believe very strongly that the unified sanitation districts have the opportunity to be really transformative for our residents,鈥� Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said during the Board of Supervisors鈥� environmental committee meeting.
DPWES began developing its proposal for a unified sanitation district model as part of a larger effort to update the county鈥檚 20-year solid waste management plan and meet greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability goals.