Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management showcases innovative compost pilot to advance organics diversion efforts

The Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) hosted a demonstration and site visit today at the South Dade Landfill showcasing an innovative composting pilot program by Fertile Earth Enterprises - one of the winners of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) Fifth Public Innovation Challenge focused on organic material diversion and sustainable solutions. The pilot program highlights how organic material, including food scraps and clean yard debris, can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost to support a more sustainable and resilient Miami-Dade County.

During the demonstration, Fertile Earth Enterprises operated a Covered Aerated Static Pile (CASP) composting system from Sustainable Generation designed to accelerate the composting process while significantly minimizing odors. Feedstocks included clean ground-up yard debris collected from DSWM Trash and Recycling Centers and bulky waste pickups, as well as food scraps collected from Fertile Earth’s customers. 

“As Miami-Dade County advances its Zero Waste goals, we are investing in solutions that reduce our reliance on disposal, divert organic materials, and protect our environment,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Composting can contribute to a more sustainable future when managed in ways that protect our groundwater and natural resources. That is why we are piloting new approaches to better understand the opportunities and challenges of composting in our unique environment. This partnership shows how innovation, sustainability, and collaboration come together to reduce waste, turn organic materials into valuable resources, and help build a greener, more resilient Miami-Dade County.”

This pilot is expected to process approximately 100 tons of organic material every ten weeks, with compost then tested according to guidelines from the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) to ensure it meets regulatory standards for land application in Miami-Dade County. 

“Composting is an important strategy for reimagining waste as a resource and for protecting our natural resources,” said DSWM Director Aneisha Daniel, PhD. “At DSWM, we are committed to pursuing innovative, community-focused solutions that support our Zero Waste goals while creating meaningful environmental benefits for Miami-Dade residents. By transforming organic materials into nutrient-rich compost, we are helping reduce landfill reliance, support sustainability efforts, and build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient community.”

The compost pilot is part of MDIA’s Fifth Public Innovation Challenge, “Propelling Waste Diversion and Sustainable Solutions Across Miami-Dade County,” which focuses on identifying scalable technologies and innovative approaches to improve recycling, organics diversion, and reuse efforts countywide. Fertile Earth Enterprises was selected as one of three winning companies announced in November 2025 following a competitive review process evaluating sustainability impact, scalability, and real-world application. 

"Innovation works best when we prove its impact in the field.” Said MDIA President & CEO Leigh-Ann Buchanan. “When we launched this challenge, we asked the market to bring us solutions ready to be tested, not just proposed, and Fertile Earth Enterprises delivered exactly that. Today we can now process organic material that would otherwise burden our landfills into nutrient-rich compost our soil and community can actually use. That's precisely what MDIA’s public innovation challenges are built to produce: bold ideas turned into real, measurable results for Miami-Dade County."

This initiative also builds upon the growing partnership between DSWM and DERM to advance composting and beneficial reuse strategies across Miami-Dade County. Through this collaboration, DSWM is helping redirect clean yard debris and organic materials away from disposal and toward sustainable reuse opportunities that support soil health and environmental protection.

“Our shared focus is on finding smarter ways to reduce waste, supporting both our natural environment and economy,” said DERM Director and Chief Resilience Officer Loren Parra. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Miami-Dade’s Solid Waste Department and their commitment to responsible composting. This pilot has the potential to transform how we manage waste, setting a strong standard for future composting efforts in our County.”

In conjunction with the compost pilot, DSWM also highlighted a new partnership with MetroSTOR, a smart waste infrastructure company that manufactures technology-enabled food scrap collection containers designed to help reduce contamination and improve organics diversion participation. As part of the pilot initiative, DSWM plans to deploy four MetroSTOR smart food scrap collection containers throughout Miami-Dade County. The containers will allow residents to drop off food scraps that will later be composted through the Fertile Earth Enterprises pilot program. 

The MetroSTOR system uses smart sensors to monitor fill levels and automatically dispatch service notifications when containers need to be emptied. Residents will access the containers through the Metro KEY mobile app after completing a required educational training module designed to reduce contamination and ensure proper disposal practices. 

These initiatives help advance the goals of Miami-Dade County’s Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP), which prioritizes waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and organics diversion strategies designed to reduce disposal dependency and maximize environmental and community benefits. The pilot also responds directly to community feedback received through ZWMP outreach efforts and public workshops, where residents expressed interest in composting solutions. 

Information gathered from the compost pilot will help inform future Countywide organics diversion strategies, infrastructure investments, and long-term Zero Waste planning efforts.

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.

About the Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM): DERM works every day to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land and trees that keep our community greener, cooler, and more resilient. We monitor Miami‑Dade County’s natural resources, ensure that growth is balanced with environmental protection, and apply science‑based practices to safeguard our ecosystems. Our mission is to maintain a clean, safe, and resilient environment for today and for future generations. Learn more at www.miamidade.gov/environment.