By Scott McCaffrey FFXNow
Trash haulers across Northern Virginia are reacting negatively to Fairfax County’s proposed overhaul of residential waste collections.
At a forum hosted yesterday (Wednesday) by the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), those in the industry said the current structure — where residents and homeowners’ associations can pick among private firms or, in some cases, opt for government service — is working well.
“We’ve really proven ourselves over time,” Phillip LeMaster, founder of Garby Disposal Services, said at the two-hour community meeting.
LeMaster made the case that the current variety of options for consumers across the county has driven both lower prices and service improvements because “that’s what the market dictates.”
His comments were echoed by Dan Ciesla, municipal sales manager of Republic Services.
“Competition drives innovation, it drives accountability,” something a government-run system would lack, he said.
County officials began exploring changes to the existing, decentralized approach to trash collection in 2022 after receiving a surge in reports of missed pick-ups, attributed in part to staffing shortages during the pandemic. One private hauler unexpectedly declared bankruptcy that December, leaving customers scrambling for a new contractor.
As part of a broader update to its solid waste management plan, DPWES announced in late 2024 that it intends to implement a “unified sanitation district” model similar to what neighboring Arlington has: the local government hires contractors to provide trash and recycling services to assigned single-family neighborhoods, charging an annual fee without an opt-out option.
DPWES has contended that the new model will allow staff to provide increased oversight and negotiate consistent services and prices across the county. But after an initial round of public outreach, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors paused consideration of the proposal in August in order to gather more input.
In addition to the Jan. 21 forum with waste collectors, county staff have scheduled an online meeting with representatives of homeowners’ associations for Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.
“We’re here to listen to you — your concerns and how we can work to mitigate your concerns,” DPWES Director Christopher Harrington said.
Feedback from the sessions will be provided to the Board of Supervisors, so “they can make a more informed decision,” Harrington said.
“I can’t think of anything fairer than to provide you a camera to speak directly to the Board and the community,” he said at the meeting, which aired live on the county’s Channel 16 and will be archived online.
Prior to the Jan. 21 meeting, a survey was sent to the 26 firms licensed to provide trash and recycling services in the county. Only nine replied, Harrington said.
The forum attracted larger participation, both from trash haulers and industry representatives.
The current system represents “a market-based approach that actually delivers results for residents,” said Tad Phillips, representing the Virginia Waste Industries Association.
He urged county officials to focus on “partnership, not mandates.”
“Let’s work together,” Phillips said. “Let’s build something that strengthens our community rather than disrupts what already is working.”
Fairfax County currently offers public trash collection to neighborhoods on an opt-in basis. About 10% of residents have their trash collected that way.
Haulers pointed out that neighborhoods using government service receive only one pickup per week, compared to two in many areas with private collection, and often pay more in fees.
State law gives localities the power to regulate trash collection services, including by creating exclusive service areas for selected contractors, but they must give any displaced private haulers five years’ notice after passing an ordinance or pay them the equivalent of 12 months of service.
Katie Evans, representing the National Waste and Recycling Association, said she does not believe Fairfax leaders can successfully make a case that the existing system doesn’t serve residents’ needs.
“The county needs to take a step back,” Evans said.
If all single-family trash collection is overseen by the county, smaller haulers fear they could be squeezed out because they wouldn’t be able to compete for large-scale government contracts. LeMaster said those firms would expect “fair-market value for their companies” if they’re left out.
Ciesla, the Republic Services sales manager, said the industry isn’t necessarily worried about county staff overseeing trash and recycling services, who he believes “really care.” But he pointed to problems in Arlington, where a mid-2025 change in contractors proved a bumpy ride.
“The entire county suffered because of that,” he said.
Harrington acknowledged there would be challenges in implementing such a major change.