Miami Dade Solid Waste Management with Jeanmarie Massa, Recycling Manager – Miami’s Community News

Report on Miami-Dade County’s Solid Waste Management and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report analyzes the efforts of the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management Department, as discussed by Recycling Manager Jeanmarie Massa, in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The department’s focus on recycling and maintaining community cleanliness and safety demonstrates a significant commitment to local and global sustainability targets.

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiatives undertaken by the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management Department directly support several key SDGs aimed at creating a sustainable future. The conversation with Recycling Manager Jeanmarie Massa highlights the practical application of these goals at a municipal level.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.6: The department’s primary function is to manage municipal waste effectively, thereby reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of the city.
• By promoting recycling, the department helps create cleaner, safer, and more resilient urban environments for all residents.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.5: A central theme of the department’s mission is the substantial reduction of waste generation through comprehensive recycling programs.
• Public education campaigns encourage residents to adopt sustainable consumption habits, focusing on the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling.
• These efforts contribute to the development of a circular economy within the county, moving away from a linear “take-make-dispose” model.

SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land

• Effective waste management and recycling are critical in preventing land-based pollution from entering local waterways, such as Biscayne Bay, and terrestrial ecosystems.
• By ensuring waste is properly sorted and contained, the department mitigates the risk of plastic and other debris harming marine and land-based wildlife, directly supporting the conservation of biodiversity.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Maintaining a clean community through efficient waste collection and disposal is fundamental to public health, reducing the risk of disease transmission and creating healthier living spaces.

Key Departmental Strategies

The department employs a multi-faceted approach to achieve its environmental and community objectives.

1. Public Awareness and Education: Engaging with the community through media, such as the featured conversation with Jeanmarie Massa, to inform residents about correct recycling procedures and the importance of waste reduction.
2. Operational Efficiency: Implementing and managing robust collection and processing systems for recyclable materials to ensure a clean and safe community.
3. Partnership and Information Dissemination: Collaborating with local media and providing accessible online resources to keep the public informed and engaged in sustainability efforts.

Official Resources

For detailed information on recycling guidelines, waste collection schedules, and departmental services that contribute to these sustainability goals, the public is directed to the official website:

• Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Detailed Explanations:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article focuses on the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Department’s efforts. This directly relates to making cities and human settlements sustainable, particularly concerning waste management within an urban community. The goal of “keeping our… community clean and safe” is a core component of a sustainable city.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The central theme of the article is “recycling,” which is a key strategy for ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. The conversation with a “Recycling Manager” about “Solid Waste Management” points directly to managing the downstream effects of consumption.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article mentions the objective of keeping the community “safe.” Proper solid waste management is crucial for public health, as it prevents the spread of diseases and reduces environmental pollution that can harm human health.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article itself is an example of a partnership. The Miami-Dade Solid Waste Department (a public entity) is collaborating with Miami Community Newspapers (a media organization) to disseminate information and raise public awareness, which is a form of civil society partnership to achieve sustainability goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Identified Targets:

1. Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.”
   • Justification: The article’s entire subject is the work of the “Miami Dade Solid Waste Management” department, which is directly responsible for municipal waste management in the city.
2. Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.”
   • Justification: The article explicitly highlights “recycling” and features a “Recycling Manager.” This target is the primary focus of the discussed activities.
3. Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.”
   • Justification: The stated goal of “keeping our Earth and community clean and safe” through proper waste management directly contributes to reducing pollution and contamination, which are major sources of health issues.
4. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”
   • Justification: The collaboration between the government’s Solid Waste Department and the Community Newspapers to produce and distribute the video interview is a clear example of a public-civil society partnership aimed at community education.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Implied Indicators:

• Indicator 11.6.1: “Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal waste generated, by cities.”
  • Justification: The article discusses the “Miami Dade Solid Waste Management” department. The effectiveness of this department is measured by how much of the city’s waste it collects and properly manages, which is the essence of this indicator.
• Indicator 12.5.1: “National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.”
  • Justification: The conversation with a “Recycling Manager” about “recycling” implies that the key metric for success is the amount and rate of recycled materials within Miami-Dade. This is a local application of the national-level indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: communitynewspapers.com