Salisbury, MD — After careful review and internal discussions, Wicomico County has decided to withdraw its support for the previously considered waste diversion concept involving the production of briquettes from non-recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW).
The concept, outlined in a February 26, 2026 letter from the Department of Public Works, explored a potential partnership with Morgan State University to convert non-recyclable MSW—such as paper, wood, low-chlorine plastics, yard waste, and textiles—combined with poultry litter into briquettes for on-site energy generation at a nearby agricultural operation.
This proposal was strictly exploratory and contemplated only a potential pilot program utilizing waste from the Newland Park Landfill, which processes approximately 290 tons of solid waste daily. Any advancement of this concept would have required significant additional analysis, permitting, operational planning, and formal agreements.
It is important to be clear: this concept is not a biorefinery. A biorefinery is a large-scale industrial facility that produces refined fuels or chemicals. This proposal, by contrast, was a limited, small-scale waste diversion concept focused solely on producing briquettes for localized, on-site energy use. It did not involve large-scale industrial processing, commercial fuel production, or the development of a standalone facility.
While the concept presented potential benefits—including landfill diversion, methane reduction, and alignment with broader clean energy goals—County leadership has determined that there are still too many unknowns regarding logistics, environmental considerations, and overall feasibility to offer our support at this time.
“This was simply an early-stage concept focused on exploring innovative ways to manage waste and reduce landfill dependence,” said County Executive Julie Giordano. “However, after further internal evaluation, we believe it is prudent to step back until more detailed information and analysis are available.”
Wicomico County remains committed to transparency and responsible decision-making. The County may revisit this concept in the future if it is appropriately zoned and supported by detailed data, clear operational plans, and thorough analysis.
For additional information, please contact the Wicomico County Office of the County Executive.
