Miami-Dade's Zero Waste Master Plan proposes countywide composting

Miami-Dade County published its Zero Waste Master Plan in July 2026. It proposes two countywide ordinances that would bring composting rules to South Florida for the first time. Neither has been adopted, and there is no start date yet.

What the plan proposes

• Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance. Every sector would need recycling and composting service: homes, apartment and condo buildings, businesses and institutions. Apartment buildings would need enough composting bins for their number of units.
• Food Waste Diversion Requirements. Restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals, schools and food processors would donate edible food and/or separate food scraps for composting. Thresholds are not set yet.

Both are short term in the plan (1 to 4 years), with a phased start and an educational grace period. Both are countywide: all 34 municipalities must follow them once adopted.

What is required today

Composting is not required yet. Recycling is: businesses must provide a recycling program through a permitted hauler, multifamily buildings must provide a recycling program (Sec. 15-2.2), and recyclables must be separated from garbage (Sec. 15-2.6).

Around Miami

• The City of Miami's voluntary composting drop-off pilot, with 6 drop-off sites run with Compost for Life, is extended through the end of 2026.
• Miami Beach requires multifamily and commercial properties to recycle under Ordinance 2012-3768. It does not require compost.

What to do now

If you run a food business or manage apartment buildings in Miami-Dade, learn how much food waste you make and where your composting bins would go. The plan starts with the largest food waste generators.

We follow every step on our Miami-Dade County page and our Florida page. Get notified and we will tell you when the ordinances are drafted.