Solid Waste Management Plan Update

Summary

The City of Fairfax's Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) 5-Year Update is a state-mandated planning document, required by Virginia state code every five years (the previous update was in 2021), covering a twenty-year planning horizon. The update process involved public engagement — including a public meeting announced for November 20, 2025, and over 600 public survey responses — as well as work by city staff (Environmental Sustainability Specialist Melissa McDonald) and consultant team RRS (Helen Lee and Olivia Polamini). A work session presentation was held before City Council on February 3, 2026, with no action taken at that time. On May 12, 2026, City Council held a public hearing and unanimously adopted Resolution R-26-26 approving the SWMP Update. Following adoption, the plan is required to be submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) for review and approval.

Open questions & options on the table

• The plan must be submitted to VDEQ for review and approval following City Council adoption; VDEQ's review and approval outcome has not yet been recorded.

What members have said

Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.

Discussion time

Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.