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The history of LCSWMA began in 1954 when the city of Lancaster and several surrounding municipalities formed the Lancaster Area Refuse Authority, better known as LARA. During these years, LARA operated several landfills, one on the former Lancaster Brick Company site that is now a wooded region that hosts extensive hiking trails. The other landfill was closed and capped in the late 1960s and now forms part of the Lancaster County Central Park.

In 1968, LARA constructed the Creswell Landfill, located south of Columbia in Manor Township. The Creswell Landfill served the county's needs for 21 years before it was closed and capped in 1989. In the 1980s, with technology advancing and the amount of trash rapidly increasing, LARA recognized the need for an up-to-date, comprehensive plan to manage the disposal needs of the entire county.

In 1986, after several years of research by a solid waste advisory committee, LARA was renamed the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority to encompass its new mission to manage solid waste and recyclable materials in an environmentally safe, reliable and efficient manner for all of Lancaster County. The new plan mandated a new landfill, a waste-to-energy facility and waste-reduction programs (recycling).

In 1988, guided by a new state law, LCSWMA augmented its new plan of an Integrated System by opening a Household Hazardous Waste Facility that would serve the community by accepting hazardous materials (computers, cell phones fluorescent bulbs, car batteries, paint, etc.) and disposing of them in an environmentally safe manner. Each year, LCSWMA processes more than 500,000 tons of waste through the facilities that comprise the Integrated System: the Transfer Station, the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, the Waste-to-Energy Facility and the Frey Farm Landfill.
In addition, LCSWMA coordinates recycling programs for municipalities
and local businesses.

Over the last 20+ years, LCSWMA has seen tremendous growth. From its humble beginnings of one employee and one bulldozer, LCSWMA has grown to a staff of 76 full-time and 9 part-time individuals managing a multi-million dollar operation that serves Lancaster's growing population. LCSWMA has transformed itself from a flow-control dependent operation to a thriving organization focused on innovative green practices and diversified business opportunities, and leads the industry by displaying sound leadership and innovative practices in waste management.