Proper waste disposal is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. In Miami-Dade County, waste disposal locations play a crucial role in managing the waste generated by its residents and businesses. In this blog article, we will explore the waste disposal locations available in Miami-Dade County and provide a comprehensive guide to help you dispose of your waste responsibly.
Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management
Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management is responsible for the collection, disposal, and recycling of solid waste in the county. The department operates various waste disposal locations throughout the county, including transfer stations, recycling centers, and disposal sites. These facilities are strategically located to ensure convenient access for residents and businesses in different areas of Miami-Dade County.
What type of waste do you need to be removed?
Depending on your items, you may need a different center. All centers will process up to three cubic yards of wooden fence, for instance, but only three centers (Golden Glades, North Dade, and West Little River) will take chain linked fence. You can view what items are accepted by different centers by viewing the service page. You can find the closest center to you by going to the Community Services Map and selecting the “Garbage & Recycling” tab in the interface.
What do you do if you have a question about County-related trash and waste disposal?
The easiest way to connect with a representative is by contacting the 311 Contact Center. They are open daily except for Sundays and Holidays and their hours are posted on their page. You can dial 311 directly on your phone or use 305-468-5900. You can also email the Contact Center using 311@miamidade.gov.
Recycling Centers
Miami-Dade County has multiple recycling centers that are designed to promote recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to disposal sites. These recycling centers accept a wide range of materials for recycling, including paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, metal, and electronics. Some recycling centers also have special programs for collecting hazardous waste, such as used oil, paint, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs. These programs ensure that hazardous materials are properly disposed of to prevent environmental contamination.
How do you know what you can recycle?
The Miami-Dade County website offers a fun exercise to help train you on what you can and can’t recycle. Remember, this isn’t a perfect world we live in, and not everything can be recycled, unfortunately. In general here is what you can recycle:
- Paper and cardboard: This includes newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard boxes, and packaging materials.
- Plastic: Many types of plastic can be recycled, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in water bottles, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) used in milk jugs, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene).
- Glass: Glass bottles and jars can be recycled repeatedly without losing their quality. It’s important to separate glass by color (clear, green, brown) for more efficient recycling.
- Metals: Aluminum, steel, and tin cans are recyclable. These include beverage cans, food cans, aluminum foil, and metal packaging.
- Cardboard and paperboard: This includes cereal boxes, shoeboxes, and other types of rigid or folded cardboard packaging.
Waste products that you can’t recycle are as follows:
- Plastic bags and films: Thin plastic bags and films are not typically accepted in recycling programs as they can cause issues in sorting machinery and get tangled, leading to operational problems.
- Styrofoam: Expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, is difficult to recycle due to its lightweight and bulky nature. It is often not accepted in regular recycling programs.
- Hazardous materials: Items such as batteries, paint, pesticides, and certain chemicals should not be included in recycling bins as they can be dangerous to handle and require specialized recycling processes.
- Food-contaminated items: Materials like greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, and disposable plates contaminated with food waste are generally not recyclable. The presence of organic matter can hinder the recycling process.
- Broken glass and ceramics: Small fragments of broken glass, ceramics, or dishes should not be placed in recycling bins as they can cause injuries to workers and damage recycling machinery.
- Textiles and clothing: While some textiles can be recycled, items like heavily soiled clothing or non-recyclable fabrics should not be included in recycling bins. These items are better suited for donation or proper disposal.
- Electronic waste and accessories: The intricate composition and integration of these materials make it difficult to separate and recycle them efficiently and they also may contain hazardous materials. Many electronic accessories, such as chargers, cables, and earphones, are compact and consist of mixed materials. The small size and intricate design make it challenging to disassemble and separate the different components for recycling.
Disposal Sites
Disposal sites are facilities where solid waste is permanently disposed of. Miami-Dade County has several disposal sites that are designed to handle different types of waste, including household garbage, yard waste, and construction and demolition debris. These disposal sites are operated in compliance with strict environmental regulations to ensure that waste is managed in an environmentally responsible manner.
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