Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Deputy Mayor Roy Coley recently unveiled the Department of Solid Waste Management’s (DSWM) Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP) in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

The plan establishes a long-term roadmap to transform how materials are managed across Miami-Dade County through waste reduction, expanded recycling and organics management, increased waste diversion and the advancement of a more circular economy.

Developed through an extensive public engagement process involving municipalities, businesses, environmental organizations, community members, technical experts and county departments, the ZWMP identifies 31 coordinated strategies that will guide implementation over the coming years. Together, these strategies are designed to conserve natural resources, preserve valuable landfill capacity, strengthen environmental stewardship, support economic opportunity and improve the county’s long-term resilience.

The plan comes at a pivotal time for Miami-Dade County. Each year, the county generates more than 5 million tons of waste, while available landfill capacity continues to decline. Recognizing these challenges, Mayor Levine Cava established an ambitious goal of implementing this plan and diverting and recovering as much waste as possible from landfills by 2040.

The ZWMP provides the comprehensive framework needed to achieve that vision by expanding beyond the traditional principles of reduce, reuse and recycle to embrace strategies that also encourage residents, businesses and institutions to refuse, redesign and reimagine how materials are used throughout their lifecycle.

“The Zero Waste Master Plan lays out bold strategies to reduce waste, save money and protect our planet,” Mayor Levine Cava said.

“Through innovation and community engagement, we are proving that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand as we build a cleaner, more resilient Miami-Dade County.”

Rather than serving as a standalone planning document, the ZWMP establishes a practical implementation framework that builds upon initiatives already underway across Miami-Dade County.

“The Zero Waste Master Plan represents what is possible when county departments, municipal and community partners, businesses, and residents work toward a common vision,” said Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor Roy Coley. “Departments across Miami-Dade County are already leading by example through innovative programs, operational improvements, and collaborative initiatives that reduce waste while improving services. This plan strengthens those efforts and helps us build a more sustainable future together.”

Implementation of the plan will include coordinated action across county departments, municipalities, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and residents.

“This is more than a vision. The Zero Waste Master Plan is an actionable framework that is already guiding how we rethink waste management in Miami-Dade County,” said DSWM director Aneisha Daniel, PhD. “Through innovative pilot programs, expanded recycling initiatives, organics diversion projects, community engagement, and strong partnerships like those we have with GMCVB, we are demonstrating that waste can become a valuable resource while protecting our environment, preserving landfill capacity and creating long-lasting benefits.”

One example of the collaborative approach outlined is the county’s growing partnership with the GMCVB, which is committed to helping the hospitality industry reduce waste generation, expand recycling opportunities, increase food recovery efforts, promote reusable service ware and advance sustainable business practices across one of Miami-Dade County’s most important economic sectors.

“People travel here from all over the world to enjoy the quality of life we experience whether it be access to fabulous beaches, exceptional waterways and our lush green spaces,” said David Whitaker, GMCVB president and CEO. “Miami-Dade County’s Zero Waste Master Plan is a call to action that rallies strong support in our community and will complement the efforts the GMCVB and its partners already have underway to advance sustainability and ensure that residents and visitors alike continue to appreciate everything that makes this place we call home so special to live, work, play and visit for generations to come.”

The ZWMP was developed in partnership with WSP, whose technical expertise and extensive stakeholder engagement helped shape the county’s long-term waste diversion strategy through public workshops, community meetings, surveys, technical analyses, and collaboration with municipalities and industry partners.

“WSP is proud to partner with Miami-Dade County in reaching this important milestone on its path to becoming a zero-waste county,” said Michael Nardone, senior vice president of Earth and Environment, WSP in the U.S. “Miami-Dade County’s Zero Waste Master Plan provides a roadmap for advancing zero-waste strategies while also supporting a resilient, future-ready economy by creating opportunities for workforce development and innovation. Miami-Dade County is helping establish a framework for reimagining waste and how it’s managed across southeast Florida for years to come.”

As implementation moves forward, Miami-Dade County will continue engaging residents, businesses and community organizations to help implement the ZWMP and help make Miami-Dade a zero-waste county.

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