A deadline before Thanksgiving

Council President Natali Fani-González wants the council to settle the incinerator's future by Thanksgiving, before a new council is sworn in come December.

Why the rush

Council member Sidney Katz says punting means the next council restarts the debate while juggling a new budget. The current body wants it done.

“If we don't do it this council, then it gets dragged on for the next council.”

Option one, sort it

Close the incinerator and run trash through an advanced processing system that splits it into recyclables, compostables and landfill waste.

Option two, rebuild it

Upgrade the Dickerson incinerator, which is past 30 years old and has collected toxic emissions violations that environmentalists have flagged for years.

The ash goes to Virginia

Incinerator ash currently lands in a poor, majority-Black neighborhood in Henrico County. Officials say they are hunting for a site in a less marginalized community.

Both cost more

County environmental officials told the crowd the two paths carry similar, higher price tags. Sorting would be slightly better for the environment.

Residents wanted a third door

Neighbors near the Shady Grove transfer station described odors, smells and truck traffic already, and worried closing the incinerator sends more trucks their way.

“What is Path C?”

What happens after this

Feedback shapes formal proposals headed for public hearings. County Executive Marc Elrich campaigned on closing it, and the Reworld operating contract runs to 2031.