Miami-Dade County’s Infrastructure, Innovation and Technology Committee on Thursday approved a series of measures aimed at reducing the county’s waste stream and improving recycling while advancing, without recommendation, a separate proposal about siting a waste‑to‑energy facility.

The committee approved a directive to develop a closed‑loop recycling pilot at Miami‑Dade’s airport and seaport; measures to expand recycling of tires, mattresses and cardboard; a program to extract methane from county landfills; a directive to study county landfill capacity; and a proposal to expand recycling education in schools. Members also voted to forward, without recommendation, a rival item that would identify a site for a waste‑to‑energy (incinerator) facility so the full Board of County Commissioners can consider it alongside other proposals.

Why it matters: The votes mark a shift toward programs the administration and several commissioners described as steps toward a “0‑waste” goal — prioritizing diversion, recycling and landfill management — while leaving the politically contentious question of building a new waste‑to‑energy incinerator for the full board to decide.

Most important actions and immediate details

- Closed‑loop recycling at airport and seaport: The committee approved an item directing staff to evaluate a closed‑loop recycling program at Miami‑Dade’s airport and seaport and to coordinate with the outside 0‑waste consultant. Commissioner Steinberg moved the item; it passed in committee. Department staff told the committee that water‑refill stations exist in terminals and that hundreds of combined trash/recycling receptacles are already deployed in terminal areas.

- Tire and mattress recycling (item 2E): The committee approved expansion of recycling programs for tires and mattresses and specifically added shredding of tires as the preferred approach rather than burning. The county’s solid waste director said tire recycling is in existing contracts and mattress recycling would require reestablishing a contractor relationship.

- Methane extraction at landfills (item 2G): The committee approved continuing and expanding methane‑capture projects at county landfills. Administration staff said extraction infrastructure is most efficient when installed during landfill construction but can be retrofitted at active sites.

- Cardboard recycling expansion (item 2H): The committee approved efforts to increase cardboard collection at transfer stations and mini‑transfer sites and to work with municipalities on seasonal and year‑round drop‑off points.

- Landfill capacity study and related items (item 2A as amended): Committee members agreed to extend the requested study window to 90 days (from 30) so staff can incorporate changes to composting rules and better analyze construction and demolition reuse; the study will report on landfill capacity, cost comparisons and options.

- Study of land near rail for future landfill or composting capacity (item 2L): The committee directed staff to search for legally available sites near rail spurs and report cost and feasibility, including acquisition and infrastructure needs. Staff said parcels adjacent to rail can range in distance and that a spur or transfer infrastructure would add to costs.

- Financing and procurement directives (items 2K, 2P and related): The committee approved directives to diversify funding options for solid waste operations (including studying bonds, public‑private partnerships, federal and state grants), and ordered more complete deliverables from outside consultants so future reports include comparable cost and lifecycle analyses for all options.

- Forwarding site selection without recommendation (item 2B): The committee voted to forward an item that would identify a site for a new waste‑to‑energy facility to the full Board of County Commissioners without a committee recommendation. Committee counsel confirmed advancing an item “without recommendation” does not approve the project; it simply places the item on the full board’s agenda for consideration alongside rival options.

What the administration and staff told the committee

Roy Kohli, chief utilities and regulatory services officer, said the mayor’s office retained a 0‑waste consultant to validate the county’s practices and recommend best practices. Kohli asked the committee to account for staff capacity: “If this entire agenda passed today, there’s at least 10 directives to staff,” he said, asking for realistic timelines.

Anisha Daniel, director of Solid Waste, said the county currently operates cardboard drop‑off collection at seven transfer stations and that existing tire‑recycling contracts can be expanded; mattress recycling would require procuring a vendor. Airport staff reported recycling contracts dating to 2015 that have recycled thousands of tons of cardboard and paper in prior years and said terminals already house dozens of combined trash/recycling receptacles and water refill stations.

Public input and next steps

The committee heard extensive public comment focused on the proposed replacement for the former Doral incinerator. Many speakers urged alternatives to incineration, asked that the county prioritize diversion and 0‑waste approaches, and urged caution before committing to a single long‑term technology. Several municipalities — including the city of Miramar — submitted documents and spoke in favor of measures that increase diversion and in opposition to siting an incinerator in or near their communities.

Most items approved by the committee now go to the Board of County Commissioners. The separate proposals identifying a specific site for a waste‑to‑energy facility will be considered at the BCC meeting; the committee forwarded one such item to the full board without recommendation so the full commission can weigh site selection against the administration’s alternative proposals.

Votes at a glance (committee actions)

- 2F (Airport/Seaport closed‑loop recycling pilot): Approved (mover: Commissioner Steinberg; second noted)
- 2E (Tire and mattress recycling, shredding for tires): Approved
- 2G (Methane extraction at landfills): Approved
- 2H (Expand cardboard recycling/drop‑off sites): Approved
- 2N (Recycling education in schools): Approved
- 2A (Landfill capacity study): Approved as amended (extended to 90 days)
- 2L (Study land near rail for landfill/composting): Approved
- 2K / 2P (Funding/financing studies and procurement clarity for consultant reports): Approved
- 2B (Identify site for waste‑to‑energy): Forwarded to BCC without recommendation (not an approval of a site)

Actions and formal motions recorded in committee

- Motion: Set agenda including supplement item 7A; outcome: approved (audio record: Chairwoman Regalado called for motion; passed) — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Approve closed‑loop airport/seaport evaluation (2F); mover: Commissioner Steinberg; outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Expand tire/mattress recycling and require tire shredding (2E); outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Approve methane extraction exploration at landfills (2G); outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Expand cardboard recycling/drop‑off program (2H); outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Study landfill capacity (2A) amended to 90 days; outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Study land near rail for potential landfill/composting (2L); outcome: approved — forwarded to BCC
- Motion: Advance siting item for waste‑to‑energy (2B) without committee recommendation; outcome: forwarded without recommendation — forwarded to BCC

Ending

Committee members and staff said they will return to the full Board of County Commissioners with the studies and recommended implementation timelines. Several commissioners urged that the items pass together at the BCC so solid‑waste actions remain coordinated. The committee also asked the administration to consolidate deliverables and to be mindful of staff capacity and timing for the multiple directives.