Update:
Miami-Dade County Commissioners have passed a resolution to eliminate single-use plastics and Styrofoam from county-owned facilities.
“Today’s passage of legislation to significantly reduce single-use plastics is a major step forward to protect Biscayne Bay and our environment with sensible policies that our businesses and residents can embrace,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Miami-Dade produces over 5 million tons of waste annually and I commend Commissioner Eileen Higgins and the Board of Commissioners for taking this significant step towards increasing reuse, as we work hard to reduce our overall waste production.”
“I’m proud of the bold action taken today by the Board of County Commissioners in passing my legislation to eliminate single-use plastics and Styrofoam from County operations,” said Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “The message to our residents is clear. Miami-Dade County is prioritizing our residents’ health, protecting our precious wildlife, eliminating trash, and preserving our natural resources like Biscayne Bay. I look forward to working with Mayor Levine Cava and county vendors to begin this transition to sustainable products that will pave the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future for Miami-Dade.”
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Miami-Dade, FL - Miami-Dade County Commissioners are set to vote on a groundbreaking resolution to ban single-use plastics and Styrofoam in county-owned facilities.
If passed, the measure would require the use of alternatives like aluminum bottles, washable ceramics, or compostable plates, signaling a major step toward reducing plastic waste in Florida.
The resolution aims to tackle the harmful impact of plastics on the environment and human health.
Plastic pollution has become a pressing issue, with only 5% of U.S. plastics being recycled, according to the Department of Energy.
The rest often ends up in landfills or waterways, breaking down into microplastics that have been found in human organs and linked to health issues such as cancer and infertility.
Plastic waste poses a significant threat to Florida’s coastlines, which see plastics from around the globe washing ashore.
Researchers estimate oceanic plastic waste could reach 600 million tons within six years.
The resolution has garnered widespread public support, with over 17,000 residents emailing the commission in favor of the ban.
A 2021 Florida Department of Environmental Protection survey found that 93% of Floridians support regulating single-use plastics, and 82% would back such measures even if it meant paying a small fee.
Despite strong local advocacy, Florida’s 2008 preemption law restricts municipalities from regulating plastics, posing a significant obstacle to such initiatives.
Several cities, including Coral Gables and Surfside, have faced legal challenges from the Florida Retail Federation (FRF), which represents large retailers like Publix and Walmart.
The FRF has criticized the Miami-Dade resolution, warning of potential financial impacts on small businesses and calling for a focus on improving plastic recycling instead.
Many Miami-Dade businesses, including Zoo Miami and Hard Rock Stadium, have already adopted alternatives to plastics.
Zoo Miami replaced plastic bottles with aluminum containers, cutting 340,000 plastic bottles from its waste stream in one year.
If approved, the Miami-Dade resolution would apply only to future contracts, allowing the county to influence broader industry practices.