A Zero Waste Culture

A Zero Waste Culture (AZWC) was founded in 2019 by Helena Iturralde, inspired by visits to Miami's Waste Management Recycling Facility that revealed alarming gaps in recycling efforts. Helena assembled a group of Key Biscayne residents to take action, focusing on grassroots initiatives that combat climate change and promote sustainability.

2024 Initiatives:

• Glass Recycling: Launched a new program to divert glass waste from landfills through a community-focused initiative.
• Weekly Recycling Polls: Educating and engaging over 100 participants weekly to improve recycling habits, raise awareness, and share sustainable alternatives. 
• "Bring Your Own Container" (BYOC) Movement: Fully embraced by all food vendors at the farmers market, who offer discounts to customers bringing their own containers, fostering a community-wide effort to reduce waste.
• Plastic Free Key Biscayne Campaign: Continuing to promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and solidifying the community’s commitment to a zero-waste lifestyle.
• Techno-Trash Drop-Off Program: Sponsored by a community member, providing recycling options for CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and other hard-to-recycle items.
• Tours to the Waste Management Material Recovery Facility: Organized tours to educate the community about what happens to recyclables, highlighting the importance of reducing our dependence on single-use plastics and proper recycling practices to reduce contamination.

Ongoing Accomplishments:

• Educating over 300 families, businesses, and schools through the compost program, providing nutrient-rich soil for nurseries, schools, and mangrove restoration projects.
• Diverting 136 tons of food waste and 140 tons of yard waste from landfills, converting it into compost.
• Repurposing over 3,500 pounds of textiles into reusable bags and other items.
• Engaging over 245 volunteers to support sustainability efforts and inspire community action.
• Operating hard-to-recycle plastics drop-offs.
• Hosting Family Fun Days, teaching children and parents composting skills in a fun, hands-on environment.
• Offering free pumpkin composting to the entire community to emphasize waste reduction and environmental stewardship.
• Advocating for reducing plastic waste, opposing new incinerators, and protecting Biscayne Bay and the Everglades.
• Celebrating the First Zero Waste Miami Business Award received in April 2024 for exceptional environmental efforts across Miami-Dade County.

Join us this Give Miami Day, and let’s build a future where zero waste is not just a goal but a way of life.