Pinecrest Composting Program
The Pinecrest Composting Program Diverts More Than 226,000 Pounds of Organic Waste, Adds New Location
Pinecrest’s award-winning community composting program is continuing to grow, giving residents more ways to turn everyday organic waste into a meaningful environmental impact.
Launched in 2024 as a resident-inspired initiative, the program has made significant strides in just two years.
To date, it has diverted more than 226,400 pounds of organic waste from landfills and provided over 1,363 free home-composting bins, helping residents to bring composting into their own backyards and kitchens.
New Drop-Off Location
The program is expanding its reach throughout the Village and has installed a new compost bin at Evelyn Greer Park. The new location joins existing drop-off sites, with additional locations planned for Coral Pine Park and Veterans Wayside Park. The new and planned locations make it increasingly convenient for residents to participate.
Current drop-off locations:
-Pinecrest Community Center
-Pinecrest Gardens parking lot (two bins/look for the signs)
-Evelyn Greer Park
-Pinecrest Farmers Market every Sunday - You can pick up a free compost bin and drop off your food scraps at the Fertile Earth Worm Farm tent right next to the entrance of Pinecrest Gardens.
Did You Know?
Pinecrest’s free home-composting bins provide residents with guidance on what to compost, and how to compost it. The bins at the Village locations also have instructions on how and what to compost, and feature a QR code to track the environmental impact the resident is making, every time they compost.
What Can Be Composted?
Residents can compost a variety of everyday organic materials, including:
-Food scraps: Prepared foods, meat and dairy
-Food-soiled paper: Napkins, pizza boxes, waxed cardboard and coffee filters
-Plant debris: Plants, untreated wood and soil
What Cannot Be Composted?
To help maintain a clean and effective compost stream, the following materials must not be placed in the compost bins:
-Bioplastics and biodegradable food-service ware, including compostable plates and cups
-Plastics, metal and ceramics
-Chemically treated wood and flowers
Pinecrest’s community composting program demonstrates how small actions at home can add up to a significant community-wide environmental impact. With new drop-off locations on the way, the program is making it easier than ever for residents to get involved. Remember, composting is a simple and effective way to create a greener future for our community. So, save your food waste, drop it off at the composting bins, and be a part of the solution.
Why Should You Compost?
-Fact: Food waste in landfills produces large amounts of greenhouse gases. Composting is the process of converting food waste into a valuable soil amendment, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
-Fact: The composting program in Pinecrest not only helps reduce greenhouse gases but also promotes sustainable waste management.
-Fact: Food waste composting enriches the soil with essential nutrients, leading to healthier and more sustainable agriculture.
-Fact: By participating in the Pinecrest composting program, residents can actively contribute to reducing landfill waste and its harmful environmental impacts.
Read Miami Herald article titled She’s Miami’s Compost Queen, Ruler of a Climate-friendly, Waste-eating Worm Force featuring Fertile Earth founder Lanette Sobel. (Note: only Miami Herald subscribers can access full article.)
This pilot program is fully funded by Miami-Dade County District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado. Pinecrest is excited about a partnership that recognizes the critical importance of sustainable waste management and environmental conservation. Pinecrest, Commissioner Regalado, Miami-Dade County, and Fertile Earth Worm Farm are committed to enabling engagement in innovative composting practices, fostering a greener and healthier environment for current and future generations in the Village. By fully funding this pilot program, Commissioner Regalado is helping to address the community’s organic waste challenges by promoting the recycling of biodegradable materials into nutrient-rich compost.