Greenbelt is Facing a Waste Crisis

Like cities across the country, Greenbelt is experiencing a mounting waste crisis.
Rising landfill costs, fewer available landfill sites, and increased disposal fees have
placed growing financial pressure on our community.
The City’s current waste fee of $280 per year has been operating at a deficit for several years.
Across the U.S., the number of landfills has dropped dramatically — from over
6,000 in 1990 to just over 1,000 today — pushing disposal costs higher every year.
In 2024, Prince George’s County raised disposal fees by XX%, and these
costs are expected to keep rising.
Rather than passing these costs equally to every household — regardless of how
much waste they generate — the City is introducing a fair, innovative pilot
program:
SAVE AS YOU THROW
Starting this year, Greenbelt is testing a new two-part fee system that empowers
residents to save money by reducing waste. This system rewards households that
recycle, compost, and reduce their trash.
You’ll only pay for what you throw away.
Here’s How It Works:

1. Base Fee – $240/year
   Covers fixed waste collection costs like trucks, maintenance, and labor. This is lower than the current fee and can be paid quarterly to the City.
2. Save As You Throw Landfill Bags
   You’ll purchase official City landfill bags from local grocery stores. Each bag includes the cost of waste disposal — just like a prepaid phone.
   The fewer bags you use, the less you pay.
   All household waste must be placed in these official bags.
   The revenue from bag sales helps the City pay for actual disposal costs.
   Prefer a Flat-Rate Option?

You may opt out of the bag program by purchasing a MAX TRASH Sticker each quarter. This allows you to dispose of up to three large bags of trash per week at a fixed cost.

Recycling stays exactly the same as before. Do not use landfill bags for recycling.

SAVE AS YOU THROW is the fairest way to manage waste costs in a time of crisis.
Those who create less waste will pay less.
Those who reduce, reuse, and recycle will benefit.
And together, we can protect our environment and our budget.
Join your neighbors in cutting costs and protecting Greenbelt by reducing
trash—every bag makes a difference. Reduce your waste. Save money — and help our planet.
Let’s turn this waste crisis into a model of community innovation and
environmental leadership.
Sincerely,
Josue
City Manager