Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management showcases innovative biochar pilot to convert clean yard debris

The Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) hosted a demonstration and site visit today at the South Dade Landfill showcasing the biochar pilot program developed by Clean Earth Innovations, a winner of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority’s (MDIA) Fifth Public Innovation Challenge for waste diversion. The pilot program is the first in Miami-Dade County to process clean yard debris into nutrient-rich biochar that could be used to improve soil health and help reduce pollutants that make their way to Biscayne Bay through our waterways. 

The demonstration provided the Office of the Mayor, DSWM, and other departmental partners with an opportunity to observe the pilot in action for the first time, as Clean Earth Innovations processed clean yard debris into nutrient-rich biochar using a rotary pyrolysis system and emissions-free power module. Biochar has numerous uses, including as a soil amendment for crops, carbon sequestration, water filtration, and odor control. 

“As part of our commitment to Zero Waste, Miami-Dade County is actively testing innovative solutions that reduce landfill disposal and turn waste into opportunity,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Pilots like this biochar demonstration allow us to evaluate real-world applications that can help protect our environment, reduce emissions, and build a more resilient future for our community.”

The biochar pilot is part of MDIA’s Fifth Public Innovation Challenge, which focuses on identifying and piloting innovative technologies to divert waste - particularly organic waste like clean yard debris - from County landfills. Clean Earth Innovations was selected as one of three winning companies announced in November 2025, following a competitive process that evaluated solutions for scalability, environmental impact, and real-world application.

“Demonstrations like today’s show how innovation can directly support Miami-Dade County’s sustainability goals,” said Chief Roy Coley, Chief Utilities and Regulatory Services Officer. “By piloting technologies that convert clean yard debris into a usable product, we are exploring practical solutions that reduce our use of landfills while advancing environmental stewardship.”

This pilot also builds on a new partnership between DSWM and the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), through which DSWM is now accepting clean yard debris to ensure organic materials are redirected toward beneficial reuse rather than disposal. In coordination with the Town of Cutler Bay - which is providing yard debris that helps generate biochar - the initiative further strengthens intergovernmental collaboration and resource sharing. Once the biochar is tested and approved for use throughout the County by DERM, it may be utilized to improve soil health and help remove pollutants from waterways such as Biscayne Bay.

“These efforts reflect our responsibility to manage waste in a way that protects our environment,” said DSWM Director Aneisha Daniel, PhD. “By partnering with MDIA and innovative companies like Clean Earth Innovations, we are advancing sustainable solutions that turn waste into opportunity, strengthen our Zero Waste goals, and help build a cleaner, more resilient Miami-Dade County for current and future generations.”

These initiatives help advance Miami-Dade County’s Zero Waste Master Plan by prioritizing waste reduction, reuse, and organics diversion, while maximizing operational efficiency and public value. They also align with the Mayor’s Wise 305 strategy, which emphasizes smart, fiscally responsible solutions that protect natural resources, reduce environmental impacts, and more efficiently manage waste streams. Lessons learned through this pilot will help inform long-term Zero Waste strategies, future program investments, and scalable approaches to managing organic materials countywide.

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About the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM): The DSWM provides curbside waste and recycling collection services to more than 350,000 households in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and ten municipalities, including Aventura, Cutler Bay, Doral, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Opa-locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Sunny Isles Beach and Sweetwater. For additional details about DSWM, please visit www.miamidade.gov/solidwaste .

About the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA): MDIA bridges gaps between private innovators and the public sector to fast-track the procurement of technology and innovative solutions that help municipalities address complex public challenges. Through its Public Innovation Challenge, MDIA identifies, funds, and supports early- to growth-stage companies to pilot and validate their solutions in real-world settings.