Condo Recycling in Miami Dade County

I live in Miami Dade County and my condo doesn't recycle. What gives?

Miami Dade County Recycling Ordinance No. 91-123 requires that all multifamily residential establishments  must recycle. This has been in effect since August 10, 1992. Unfortunately, it has been poorly enforced and publicized.

Because the county or cities don't provide the waste services for multi-family units, the condo must contract a private waste or recycling hauler. This will cost money. The charges will likely need to be taken from maintenance fees for the condo, therefore dividing the cost amongst all property owners / tenants.

All condo and rental units must recycle:

• Newspaper
• Glass
• Aluminum cans
• Steel cans
• Plastics (PETE, NDPE-natural, HDPE-colored)

How do I find a hauler that will provide this service?

The county recommends contacting your current waste hauler or looking in the phone book. Get multiple quotes, as prices may vary. The county has also provided questions to ask potential contractors:

• Can I reduce the size of my garbage container (and some of the cost of garbage collection) by establishing a recycling collection program?
• Will you remove and replace containers located in trash rooms or on the ground floor, or must the toters be located outside? (Toters should be placed in areas that are accessible to tenants, yet secure from vandalism or theft.)
• Do you provide any educational materials that can be distributed to tenants? What is considered a "contaminant" and how will a contaminated load affect the program?
• When you hire a commercial hauler or recycler who hauls your material, then all reporting requirements for County compliance are their responsibility.

How should I approach my condominium about providing recycling?

First, we recommend speaking with your property manager and asking why recycling isn't currently offered. Then, you might want to express your interest in recycling. Your property manager may not know how to proceed. Explain that they need to speak with the waste hauler about this.

If you encounter resistance, provide your property manager with the recycling ordinance (found below), focusing on sections 15-2.2, 15-2.4, 15-2.5, and 15-2.6.

Finally, if you get absolutely nowhere, and want to continue the fight, try contacting the county's Department of Solid Waste Management at 305-594-1500 or dswm@miamidade.gov. Explain what you are trying to accomplish and ask for their help in enforcing the law.

References:

Miami Dade County, Solid Waste Management: Apartments and Condominiums

View the complete file: Miami Dade County Recycling Ordinance (pdf)

Miami Dade County Code

A special thanks to Luiz Rodrigues and ECOMB (Environment Coalition of Miami Beach), without which we would have never known about this wonderful little law.   

Comments

[Amber Thomas]

Since moving to South Florida from the Midwest, I'm amazed at how far behind the "Green" movement this part of the country is. I'm taking it as a personal challenge to educate people I encounter on a daily basis to become better inhabitants of Earth. I've started a recycling program in the condo we live in, and now I'm doing the same at work. Little by little, maybe people will realize they do make an impact.

[tuyee]

hi, i have a problem here. i live with a family here and so i really cannot ask them to talk to the manager. is there any way that some organization can email them or mail them about it.

[Jason K.]

I live in an apartment complex and all of the above materials are recycled there, but what about cardboard, carton, and paper? Is there somewhere I can drop those items off at if I would like for them to be recycled too?

[Dee]

If you are trying to get a recycle program established; certain companies make recycle bins and receptacles with recycled material.

Rubbermaid offers recycling bins and waste recpetacles that are made with 30% post consumer recycled resin (plastic).

When I moved here from California I was shocked to see how Miami did very little for the environment. Condo buildings are the worst! Most of them are maintained by contracters who know nothing about sustainability and use zero or no Green products to clean...such a shame!

[Dennis Fox]

I live in a condo community in Kendall and we do not have a recycling program. Recently I've approached the management to find out why not. However, I'm also looking for any place that has a composting program. I thought that Miami Dade College might but I'm not finding the information. Does anyone know of any? My patio is too small to do composting and I would love it if the landscapers would work with us on this.

[bambi]

I live in a Broward condo where there is NO recycling. Does anyone know if Broward has a similar ordinance requiring recycling or access to it?