The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) has entered into a Research Service Agreement with the University of Florida to evaluate the suitability of ash produced at the county’s Resources Recovery Facility (RRF) as a substitute for coal ash in the production of cement. If the material is determined to be viable for the cement manufacturing process, the County’s RRF could recycle up to 85 percent of the ash produced each year at the plant.
The Research Services Agreement, approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in March, enables the University of Florida, through its Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Research, to perform testing, analysis and evaluation of the cement and cement-based products produced from RRF ash. Ash for the research project will be provided by the operator of the RRF, Covanta, while the cement production and monitoring will be provided by Titan America LLC, a local South Florida cement manufacturer. “I’m very excited about the potential for this project we’re undertaking in partnership with the University of Florida’s Hinkley Center,” said Alina T. Hudak, Deputy Mayor and DSWM Director. “If this succeeds and we’re able to reduce our ash disposal needs by 85 percent, we will not only reduce costs associated with operating the plant, we’ll help the environment and possibly even provide others in our industry across the country with a better alternative for disposal of their ash byproduct.”
If the RRF ash is deemed a viable substitute for coal ash in cement production, there are several benefits to the county and its residents. The most significant benefits are the 85% reduction in the amount of ash needing to be landfilled, the extended life of the existing ash monofill and increased recycling toward the State of Florida’s 75% recycling goal. Additionally, ash resulting from the waste-to-energy process is an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional coal ash and is more readily available than coal ash, which often has to be imported from other countries. This Research Service Agreement furthers DSWM’s efforts to utilize sustainable practices to better serve the residents of Miami-Dade County and protect the local environment.
DSWM provides waste collection and recycling services to more than 320,000 households in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and eight municipalities, and countywide waste disposal services. The department also owns one of the most technologically advanced waste-to-energy facilities in the world.
The Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Research at the University of Florida serves the residents of Florida by providing leadership in the field of waste management research and by supporting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in its mission to preserve and protect the state’s natural resources.
For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/solidwaste.