Miami-Dade Narrows Sites for New Waste Facility

Miami-Dade County commissioners have unanimously approved moving forward with building a new waste-to-energy facility to replace the incinerator destroyed by fire in 2023. Proposed sites including Doral, Medley, Sweetwater, and Airport West have been eliminated, narrowing options to two private sites west of Okeechobee Road, both at least half a mile from residential areas. The decision comes after significant public and official opposition over environmental and health concerns. Commissioners reaffirmed that at least 40% of waste must be recycled or composted, with no less than half being incinerated. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava supports exploring alternatives like landfills and waste hauling, but backs the commission's decision as a way forward. The exact site and technology for the facility remain undecided.