Watching
Florida organic waste law
Florida has no statewide organic waste law, and composting is not required anywhere in the state yet. Miami-Dade County's Zero Waste Master Plan (July 2026) proposes a countywide Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance and Food Waste Diversion Requirements for food businesses. Neither is enacted. We are watching it.
At a glance Watching
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- The law
- None
- Local rules
- Miami-Dade Zero Waste Master Plan (July 2026) PROPOSES a countywide Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance + Food Waste Diversion Requirements (not enacted); City of Miami voluntary drop-off pilot (extended through the end of 2026); Miami Beach recycling-only
01 / City and county rules
Local rules
-
Miami-Dade County
Pending- Who’s covered
- Proposed: every sector must have recycling and composting service (homes, multifamily, businesses, institutions); food businesses (restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals, schools, food processors) must donate edible food and/or separate food scraps
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Proposed
- Key dates
- Not enacted. Both ordinances are short term in the plan (1 to 4 years), with a phased start and an educational grace period; thresholds not set yet
Other places in Florida
- City of MiamiVoluntary program only6 drop-off sites with Compost for Life
- Miami BeachRecycling only (no compost)Multifamily + commercial must recycle
✦ Keep an eye on
What’s changing
Florida's 75% recycling goal (2008) is a goal, not a business mandate; the statewide recycling rate has stayed around 50%
- No date – watchUniversal Recycling and Composting Ordinance + Food Waste Diversion Requirements to be drafted (plan: 1 to 4 years)
02 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your Florida locations
- File the paperwork for you
- Set up pickup or a compliant hauler
- Keep your records current so you are ready if an inspector asks
✦ Where this comes from
Sources
Last checked October 29, 2026. Laws change. If something here looks out of date, tell us.
These are plain-English summaries for general information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source.
✦ Get a compliance plan
Get a plan for Florida
What do you run there? Pick all that apply.
✦ Let Melly’s handle it
Get a compliance plan
Tell us where you operate. We tell you what applies, then we file and keep you compliant.