About Covanta Dade Renewable Energy

The Miami-Dade Resource Recovery Facility began commercial operations in 1982 to serve as a cornerstone for Miami-Dade County Florida's integrated waste management system providing county residents with a renewable source of clean energy. Covanta operates the facility as Covanta Dade Renewable Energy under a long-term contract established 2010. The facility, which is owned by Miami-Dade County, processes 3,000 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) and 1,200 tons of wood waste (trash) per day, generating 77.0 megawatts of renewable electricity—enough to power 45,000 homes. In addition, the facility recovers approximately 2,000 tons of nonferrous (aluminum, tin) and 26,000 tons of ferrous (steel) metals per year from the waste stream for recycling.

Covanta Dade offers Miami-Dade several benefits beyond providing environmentally responsible waste management and renewable power generation. It reclaims and recycles useful products to generate revenue, offsetting disposal costs and keeping disposal fees for county residents stable. It provides desirable employment for a diverse group of approximately 200 local employees and supports local businesses through the purchase of goods and services. Perhaps most importantly, it minimizes the community's reliance on landfills, a direct threat to Florida's sensitive aquifers.

The facility was designated as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2005 and was recertified in 2008. The facility also holds an ISO-14001certification (2003), an environmental management system standard offered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).