"Save as You Throw" Town Hall Meeting

The City of Greenbelt, Maryland held a town hall meeting on August 12, 2025, to discuss the proposed "Save As You Throw" pilot program for solid waste collection. The program aims to address the city's growing deficit in waste management, driven by rising landfill tipping fees and increased operational costs. Under the new unit-based pricing system, residents will pay a base annual fee of $240 plus additional fees based on the number and size of city-approved trash bags they use, incentivizing waste reduction. The meeting included detailed explanations of the program's structure, comparisons to current rates, and responses to numerous public questions about implementation, costs, recycling, and enforcement. The city plans to implement the pilot starting January 1, 2026, following council approval and a public outreach period. The program is designed to be more equitable and financially sustainable, with ongoing evaluation during the pilot phase.