Facing increased contamination rates and escalating costs, the city of Miami Commision is considering suspending its recycling program and reducing bulky waste pickup services. The proposal, which was initially scheduled for a vote on December 12, 2024, has been deferred multiple times, and it is unclear when the Commission will take it up again.
If approved, the legislation would grant the Solid Waste Department director the authority to determine the type, frequency, and extent of recycling services, potentially leading to a stop of the city’s biweekly recycling collection.
According to sustainability experts at Ransom Everglades, contamination of recycling is a problem—but banning recycling entirely isn’t the answer.
Instead, they emphasize the importance of climate literacy: educating the public on how to properly handle waste. Without knowledge of proper recycling practices, many residents unknowingly contribute to contamination, rendering entire batches of recyclables unusable.
“If contamination is a problem, we need to teach people how to properly clean and sort recyclables. Even fines for repeat offenders could help. Ultimately, the goal should be to encourage reusing products, like buying glass and aluminum or refilling containers, to reduce waste at the source.” said Mr. Jesse Velazquez, a biology teacher at the Upper School who helps advise the Environmental and Sustainability Council.
Cities like San Francisco and Seattle have already implemented strict contamination fines, which have significantly improved recycling rates. In San Francisco, local government can fine properties who don’t properly recycle up to $1000 per day of noncompliance.
Some students, like Max Wolfsenberger ’26, said they struggle to understand the significance of recycling certain products, and what consequences the ban might have on the city’s future.
“I find paper straws frustrating to use compared to plastic ones,” he shared.
Sander Block ’28 said he would have appreciated more public discussion about the pros and cons of the proposal, which has been largely invisible. “I wasn’t really aware of it before this,” he said.
Even when recycling systems are in place, what gets recycled may not actually be processed correctly. To mitigate this problem, RE has established several specialized recycling bins, including one in the Upper School Dan Leslie Bowden Library for candy wrappers (placed after Halloween), glove recycling bins in the Fernandez STEM Center for after labs, and battery recycling bins.
The ESC has also organized electronic waste pickups at the beginning and end of each semester, as well as uniform recycling at the start of the school year to minimize textile waste.
In January, Director of Sustainability Dr. Kelly Jackson announced that RE’s composting program has also successfully diverted over 70,000 pounds of food waste from landfills.
Despite these efforts, however, people involved in sustainability initiatives on campus said that students’ lack of awareness prevents them from fully contributing to the cause, leading many to throw everything in the trash.
“Even washing out your plastic cup before throwing it in the recycling bin can prevent an entire bin from being contaminated,” said Ms. Maddy Quirke-Shattuck, who teaches Physical Education.
Ms. Quirke-Shattuck reflected on her own background: “I grew up in California, where recycling is built into the curriculum and infrastructure. Even families who aren’t sustainability-minded follow clear guidelines, with well-labeled bins and reliable waste services.”
In 2023, 40% of Miami’s recycling was contaminated, compared to Florida’s state average of 30% and California’s 25%, which mirrors the national average.
“I wish Miami educated people about recycling better, because, as it is now, a lot of people don’t know about it or don’t take it seriously,” Ava McAliley ’26 said.
