Miami-Dade County is going green in ways some never imagined. We just unveiled a hydraulic hybrid waste collection vehicle. It's the only one of its kind operating in major metropolitan area. For the next four weeks, the vehicle will be tested along two waste collection routes.
The hybrid garbage truck is only the latest addition to our hybrid fleet -- the 3rd largest in the nation. More than a dozen hybrid busses will come online later this year and hybrid fire rescue vehicles are on the horizon.
Our green efforts don't stop with hybrids. We're using plant-based biodiesel and turning waste into electricity. All our traffic signals are being fitted with energy-friendly LED lights. We have eliminated harmful chemicals in our printing process and our water reuse efforts will have us recycling nearly half the water we use.
Every day is Earth Day in Miami-Dade County as we work to lead the way in protecting our environment.
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
Miami-Dade County is making great strides in the environmental arena. We are not only committed to protecting our local ecosystem but to protecting the earth. We have signed the U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below current levels by year 2050.
Cleaner-burning Transportation
To reach this goal, Miami-Dade Transit is converting its bus fleet to cleaner-burning, fuel-efficient hybrid-electric buses that use a blend of plant-based biodiesel fuel. Currently, our General Services Administration (GSA) maintains one of the largest collections of hybrid vehicle fleets in the nation.
Green Building
We are building more energy and water efficient, and utilizing recycled and renewable materials. Green projects in the works, which are expected to receive LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, include the Children's Courthouse, Marlins Stadium, Miami Art Museum and the GSA Trade Shops.
Generating and Saving Electricity
Solid Waste Management's (SWM) Resources Recovery Facility generates about $2 million a year from the sale of electricity generated from waste. Public Works saves electricity by using LED lights that conserve energy in County-wide traffic lights.
Decreasing Waste Toxins and Saving Money
All of GSA's printing equipment now uses computer-to-plate technology that eliminates chemicals used in the printing process thus reducing toxic waste - all the while saving money. The equipment was put to the test during the 2008 Presidential Election and saved taxpayers $750,000 over the traditional printing method.
Recycling
Our community has never been more recycle conscientious - recycling more than doubled last year. It's never been easier or more convenient to reclycle. Last year, SWM began single-stream recycling collections providing one large, wheeled container where all recycling items are placed.
More Green Space
Creating more green space is also a priority. Park and Recreation is collaborating with multiple municipalities to institute the visionary Parks and Open Space Master Plan. It will create the ability to travel on a safe pathway of connecting parks, streets and green spaces using a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicles. The County continues growing its tree canopy by giving away trees through its Adopt-A-Tree program and planting shade trees in right-of-ways.
Preservation and Conservation
Since 1991, the County has been preserving environmentally sensitive and endangered lands, and now owns more than 18,250 acres.
Water preservation is also a high priority. It's now part of Miami-Dade's Building Code, which will result in a 31 percent water usage reduction for new construction. Water and Sewer continues its successful showerhead trade-in program, and continues retrofitting irrigation systems at Homeowner Associations.
Sincerely,
Mayor Carlos Alvarez
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