Miramar Continues Trash Incinerator Fight after Miami-Dade Mayor Backtracks

Residents Unite Against Incinerator Proposal

Miramar residents are once again trying to stop any proposal that would have a trash incinerator built in their backyard after Miami-Dade’s mayor backtracked on her recommendation that it be kept in Doral.

Gathering Outside the Miami-Dade Commission Chamber

Miramar residents and the city’s neighbors gathered outside the Miami-Dade Commission Chamber on Tuesday to have their voices heard on the trash incinerator issue.

A Long-Running Debate

The county’s trash incinerator in Doral was gutted by a fire in February 2023 and how to replace it has been a topic of discussion for nearly two years.

Considered Sites

Several sites have been considered, including the old Opa-Locka West Airport location near Miramar.

Miami-Dade Mayor’s Reversal

In November, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she was recommending that the new trash incinerator be built at the site of the old one in Doral.

However, this past weekend, Levine Cava announced that the county was no longer pushing for a waste-to-energy plant or incinerator.

The decision was made due to costs and environmental concerns.

Alternative Solution

Last week, the county struck a deal with a company to haul trash by train to a landfill near Punta Gorda in southwest Florida, at a cost of at least $18 million per year.

However, commissioners are still seeking a long-term solution and are expected to make a decision next month.

Miramar Residents’ Concerns

Miramar residents, like Alberto Salvi, are adamant that they do not want an incinerator built in their city.

“It’s something that we just don’t want there,” Salvi said. “It’s Miami-Dade’s garbage, and we don’t want Miami-Dade’s garbage in Miramar, and we don’t want the toxicity in our air.”

Miramar Mayor’s Statement

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam expressed similar concerns, stating, “We believe that there’s technology that can treat our garbage in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way and I think that those options should be fully explored.”

Conclusion

The debate over the trash incinerator has been ongoing for years, and it seems that the issue is far from being resolved. As the county continues to seek a long-term solution, Miramar residents will continue to fight against the proposal to build an incinerator in their city.

FAQs

* What is the current status of the trash incinerator proposal?
– The proposal to build a trash incinerator in Miramar has been put on hold, but not entirely ruled out.
* Why did the Miami-Dade mayor back down on her recommendation?
– The mayor cited costs and environmental concerns as the reasons for her decision.
* What alternative solution has the county proposed?
– The county has struck a deal to haul trash by train to a landfill near Punta Gorda in southwest Florida.