Approved resolution would update Resource Recovery Facility operations, improve ash treatment options, expand recycling and reinforce waste reduction
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 10, 2026, The Montgomery County Council voted (6-5) to approve a resolution that supports keeping the Dickerson Resource Recovery Facility open for the long term as the County’s primary method for the disposal of solid waste, while also looking to build a facility for organic waste recycling. The approval of the resolution provides a clear action plan for waste handling and recycling in Montgomery County, which would be implemented once capital funding is submitted, reviewed and approved.
“The Council made it clear that we would not consider this once-in-a-generation decision about how Montgomery County handles solid waste without a complete, rigorous and balanced analysis of all options,” said Council President Natali Fani-González. “After conducting numerous briefings and work sessions, holding community meetings, and evaluating comments from our community feedback webpage, we have fully explored all the issues and are moving forward with the most effective solution for our community. Approving this resolution will provide holistic long-term solutions to modernize operations, achieve our goal of reducing the amount of waste disposed, increase recycling and composting, and protect our quality of life.”
The Council resolution requests that the County Executive initiate a facility planning effort to develop a scope of work for the needed capital upgrades to the Resource Recovery Facility that will ensure the facility can function reliably and in conformance with its permit requirements, while also considering the feasibility of implementing the latest state-of-the-art technologies to reduce emissions. The Council resolution also seeks further action to remove recyclable metals from the ash residue generated at the Resource Recovery Facility through disposal or beneficial reuse of ash residue. Finally, the resolution reiterates the Council’s support for a new in-County, food-waste composting facility and investigation of advanced waste processing as part of a comprehensive and sustainable approach to waste management. The resolution requests that the County Executive address each of these measures as part of the County’s amended Fiscal Year 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program.
Additionally, the Council has already appropriated $28 million to design and construct a centralized facility to compost food waste. The facility will unlock the ability for the County to implement curbside composting and expand commercial composting. The Council will work with the incoming County Executive to advance the construction of this facility at the existing yard-trim site in Dickerson or another location.
“As a staunch environmentalist, I have been tireless in my work to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and make Montgomery County a greener, cleaner community. We are in a climate crisis and must act,” said Councilmember Evan Glass, chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee and former member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee. “Today I was unable to support the County Executive’s proposal for shipping our trash to a landfill in Virginia because I have concerns that it will increase carbon emissions in our region.
“The County Executive’s proposal would result in hundreds of additional diesel trucks driving on our roads loaded with hundreds of tons of trash, not to mention the increased methane emissions produced from the landfill. Add to this the unknown costs of the County Executive’s proposal, which have never been shared publicly or privately, and too many serious questions remain unaddressed.
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“In order for Montgomery County to truly begin reducing our waste and protecting our environment, we need to immediately begin full scale food composting so the 138,000 tons of food scraps produced annually are removed from the waste stream and the overall burden reduced. Food scraps and organics are the largest divertible component in our waste stream. Only 10 percent of our food waste is composted. Once we build a composting facility and increase our recycling capacity at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, we will be able to more thoughtfully determine how to manage the remaining waste that Montgomery County produces.”
“I appreciate everyone’s thoughtful discussion and advocacy around this issue,” said Councilmember Dawn Luedtke. “Continuing to modernize and utilize our waste to energy facility while remaining committed to enhancing our waste management strategy to include local food scraps composting and alternative waste removal is the best practice for environmentally sound management without burdening other communities.”
“After much reflection and review of the materials, I believe keeping the Resource Recovery Facility open is preferable to ensure that the County continues to control what happens to our solid waste, provide future tools to reduce the environmental and health impacts and address racial justice concerns,” said Councilmember Kate Stewart.
“I believe that our solid waste process needs to include rail as a primary means of hauling waste and is a key reason why I voted to keep the Resource Recovery Facility open,” said Councilmember Sidney Katz. “We heard concerns from communities near the Transfer Waste Station about long-haul trucking and the increased impact it would have on noise, odor and traffic. Rail is a proven means of transport that is efficient, effective and less prone to disruption of services.”
“I support keeping the Resource Recovery Facility open and believe it is the more responsible approach for Montgomery County at this time,” said Councilmember Shebra Evans. “We can continue managing our waste, recover energy and reduce our reliance on landfills, as we work with our experts on expanding recycling efforts for a sustainable future.”
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Montgomery County has been engaging with residents on the future of solid waste management since 2018, beginning with the formation of the Aiming for Zero Waste Task Force. Over the last seven years, the County has conducted numerous public and Council discussions, received formal task force recommendations, updated the County’s ten-year Solid Waste Management Plan with community input, and commissioned technical studies.
The Council has publicly discussed alternatives to long-term solid waste disposal over the past several years with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The approved resolution represents the most prudent option for the long-term disposal of solid waste in the County with the goal of implementing advanced waste processing in the future.
As part of the Council’s deliberative process, a resource page and community feedback form was created to get input from residents about multiple solid waste disposal alternatives. The Council also conducted numerous work sessions to evaluate the environmental impacts, environmental justice concerns, community impacts and the water diversion opportunity associated with each alternative.
Residents can view the full Council deliberations on this issue on the Council’s website. The Council received a briefing in July 2025 from DEP representatives about a proposal for the long hauling of County waste by truck and disposal at an out-of-county landfill. At a meeting held on July 28, the Council received a briefing on alternative recommendation for long-term solid waste disposal, and at meeting held on Sept. 15, DEP representatives provided an update on these recommendations. At a meeting held on Sept. 29, the Council received an overview of the Resource Recovery Facility operations. The Council continued its discussion about long-term solid waste disposal options at a meeting held on Oct. 27 and resolutions to keep the Resource Recovery Facility open for the long term or closing the Resource Recovery Facility and transitioning to the disposal of solid waste at out-of-county landfills were introduced.
Read the original article at mccouncil
