Miami-Dade County isn't Florida's largest county by area. That distinction belongs to Palm Beach County at 2,034 square miles. But it does have the largest population, with nearly three million residents. That makes the county's Department of Solid Waste Management one of the largest government-run programs in the southeastern U.S. The department's 320-square-mile service area has 330,000 households.
For at least a decade, the department's 154 automated collection trucks have stopped at those homes twice a week every week of the year. To optimize service, the department is spending $22 million to replace half those vehicles.
The new trucks are white, but three are painted pink as part of the department's initiative to support breast cancer awareness. Branded with the message "Let's Trash Cancer," the trucks were unveiled at Waste Expo 2018 in Las Vegas. The vehicles include a safety message on the rear panel that reminds motorists exercise caution by staying back 50 feet from the truck, which makes frequent stops.
“Our employees and our vehicles work hard, so reliable equipment is a must,” says Department Director and Deputy Mayor Alina Hudak. “These new trucks will reduce equipment breakdowns and delays for our drivers and provide reliable service our customers expect and deserve.”
The new trucks will be used for important messaging about the county’s integrated waste management system and to promote community awareness and participation in the “Let’s Clean Things Up” litter prevention campaign.
Additional replacement vehicles will come online over the next year.
