Fairfax City’s annual audit of its curbside recycling program showed a reduction in the contamination rate from 11.4% in 2023 to 7% in 2024.

This means that 93% of the material collected was recyclable and not trash destined for a landfill. In comparison, the national average for recycling contamination is estimated to be 17%, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 40%!

“The results of our 2024 curbside recycling audit reflect an extraordinary achievement by our residents and refuse and recycling crew members,” said Melissa Pennett, environmental sustainability specialist for Fairfax City.

The annual audit was conducted in August at the city’s contracted recycling facility that sorts and sells the city’s recyclable material. The recycling processing fees are directly associated with the amount of contamination (or trash) in the recycling stream.

By conducting these annual audits, the city has proven it has reduced trash in the recycling stream and improved the cost effectiveness of recycling.

Learn more. 

The City of Fairfax Commission for Women invites you to participate in a survey to collect feedback on the needs of women and children in the city.

The success of the CFW's work requires a broader understanding of what issues are most important to female city residents. Your time is valuable, and your input is appreciated. 

The information gathered from this survey will inform the CFW as they develop their 2025-27 areas of focus. Survey questions include housing, health care, education, safety, and more.

The City of Fairfax honored the winners of the 2024 election sticker contest at the Sept. 17 Commission on the Art meeting.

Peter Choi, a 10th-grade student at Fairfax High School, won for his “I Voted” design, which features a beautiful backdrop of City Hall.

Eleanor Hwang, a 6th-grader at Churchill Road Elementary School, won for her “Future Voter” sticker design, which celebrates diversity in the community and the city’s future electorate.

Stickers will be available to Fairfax City voters during the Nov. 5 election. 

The Council Reporter for the Sept. 10 work session includes video segments linked to agenda items. View the Reporter. A meeting summary is provided below.

City Council approved the hiring of Jason Kozak to serve as human resources director.

Presentations and Proclamations

• Mayor Catherine Read presented proclamations acknowledging September as National Preparedness Month, Recovery Awareness Month, and Get There Differently Month; and she acknowledged Sept. 8-14 as Suicide Prevention Week, and Sept. 23 as Car Free Day in the City of Fairfax.

Consent Agenda

• City Council adopted a resolution to establishment a nonprofit grant program for human services organizations.  
  
  
• City Council authorized the city manager to execute an updated memorandum of understanding between the city and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District to continue to provide city property owners with access to the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.
  
  
• City Council authorized the city manager to execute a memorandum of agreement between the city and Fairfax County to share Accotink Creek and Difficult Run sediment credits to meet state-mandated environmental requirements.
  
  
• City Council introduced a resolution for the reappropriation of general/operating, capital, and enterprise funds carryover to FY 2025 that were appropriated in FY 2024 and have not yet been spent as of June 30, 2024. A public hearing will be held Sept. 24.

Public Hearing

• City Council approved an ordinance amending the Code of the City of Fairfax pertaining to the position of acting city manager.

Work Session

• City Council discussed the five-year review of the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan.
  
  
• City Council reviewed highlights of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly actions and had a preliminary discussion regarding the city’s 2025 Legislative Program.

A city council meeting is slated for Sept 24. View the agenda (subject to change). 

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in City Hall. Watch meetings live on Channel 12 (COX/Verizon) and online, or catch a replay at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Please use the comments tool on Engage Fairfax to provide feedback about the updated Comprehensive Plan.

The Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23, and the City Council public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.

If you have any questions, please use the questions tool on Engage Fairfax, or reach out to Amy Lynne Denny directly at amylynne.denny@fairfaxva.gov.

Read the police department’s daily crime and weekly arrest reports. 

Explore job opportunities with the police department

Fairfax City PD needs you! Watch these short videos.