♻️ Turning Waste Into Opportunity
Waste Management: Innovating to become a zero-waste economy
FEATURED CONTENT:
Learn Miami-Dade’s vision for sustainable waste management in our latest interview with Dr. Aneisha Daniel, who leads the Department of Solid Waste Management.Join us on Monday for a conversation regarding the intersection of resilience and national security with Sherri Goodman, Secretary General of the International Military Council on Climate & Security. Register here.
Facing a monumental challenge, Miami-Dade County is redefining what it means to manage waste.
Each year, the County generates nearly five million tons of waste—a staggering figure amplified by the county’s three million residents and millions more annual tourists. Each person contributes ten pounds of waste daily, exceeding the national average. With landfills nearing capacity and consumption habits persisting, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent.
“We are not just managing waste—we are safeguarding our community's future,” said Dr. Aneisha Daniel, Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM).
The department manages waste collection, disposal, recycling, and mosquito control services.
With nearly 20 years of expertise and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Dr. Daniel’s mission is to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable waste management services while addressing the long-term environmental challenges that Miami-Dade faces.
"Waste management is not about trash—it’s about rewriting the story of how we value resources, unlocking economic potential, and building a legacy of sustainability that will empower future generations,” she said in our latest interview. Watch the entire conversation here.
The change in waste management requires tackling today’s waste volumes while reshaping behaviors, systems, and technologies to create a sustainable future for future generations.
Under Dr. Daniel’s visionary leadership, waste is no longer a burden to discard—it’s a resource, a spark for innovation, and a driver of transformation.
Her strategies can position Miami-Dade as a leader in waste management while aligning with the county’s ambitious sustainability goals.
1. Recycling Reimagined
Through education campaigns, enforcement measures, and rebranding, the team is working to reduce contamination and confusion. Outreach programs in schools and communities are fostering a culture of recycling that starts early and lasts a lifetime.
2. Building a Circular Economy
Miami-Dade County is advancing sustainability with the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP), which is aimed at reducing landfill dependency and fostering a circular economy.
The county has contracted a firm to develop the master plan, which includes assessing composting and organic waste processing opportunities. The review will identify ways to expand and improve waste diversion efforts while also targeting better construction and demolition waste diversion, expanded recycling, and waste reduction through community engagement and policy updates.
3. Empowering Through Education
DSWM is building a culture of sustainability that reaches every corner of Miami-Dade: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing innovative recycling programs contribute to Miami-Dade’s climate goals. Creating green jobs in recycling and composting strengthens the local economy. Empowering residents to adopt sustainable practices fosters a shared commitment to a healthier, more livable county. The department is also working closely with the local school board, reaching the next generation and communicating with youth on this topic.
Learn more by visiting the department’s website here.
Your Role in a Greener Future
Dr. Daniel reminds us that sustainability is a shared responsibility. You can be a part of the solution by:
Reduce Waste: Consume mindfully and minimize what you throw away.
Recycle Right: Learn and follow recycling guidelines to reduce contamination.
Support Innovation: Advocate for sustainable practices and invest in transformative technologies.
“The decisions we make today shape the future we leave for the next generation,” Dr. Daniel added. “Together, we can turn waste into opportunity and create a legacy of sustainability.”
A Call to Action: Public Challenge
The DSWM has partnered with the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority and the Office of Innovation and Economic Development to identify and support startups with innovative solutions to help tackle waste diversion and recycling in the county for its Solid Waste Diversion Challenge.
This public challenge seeks early-to growth-stage technology startups offering solutions in the areas of waste diversion, organic waste reuse, and resistant engagement and education. The MDIA will select at least three companies, each of which will receive $100,000 in funding along with the opportunity to test their solution at DSWM facilities.
"Through this challenge, we aim to discover innovative solutions that will transform waste into opportunities for a greener future," Dr. Daniel said in a statement when the challenge was announced.
Miami-Dade is at a turning point. With bold strategies, empowered residents, and innovative solutions, the county is poised to lead the world in waste management and sustainability.
100!
Our latest interview on waste management marks our 100th video since we launched more than three years ago. You can view our interviews, video features, and conversations on our YouTube page here. You can also listen to our interviews, such as the one with Dr. Daniel, on Apple iTunes or Spotify.
If you have a company or an entrepreneur to suggest or an idea to share that relates to building Miami’s future, email us at next@opportunity.miami. We invite you to follow us on our social media channels. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can subscribe by clicking here. If you are new to Opportunity Miami, you can learn about our mission and work here.
A Conversation on Resilience + National Security
Please join us on March 17th at Miami Dade College for a conversation regarding the intersection of resilience and national security with Sherri Goodman, Secretary General of the International Military Council on Climate & Security and Senior Fellow at the Wilson Center. Goodman is a leader in environmental, energy, and climate security and the author of "Threat Multiplier." Register here for this free event.
~ Opportunity Miami