Zero Waste Miami: Co-Creating a Plastic-Free Future

On April 15, 2025, Bye Bye Plastic—represented by Maria Perilli—joined local sustainability leaders for the first Zero Waste Miami Workshop, a full-day strategy session hosted at the International Center for Tropical Botany in South Florida.

Sustainability leaders brainstorming circular solutions at the International Center for Tropical Botany

Zero Waste Miami is a cross-sector coalition working to build Miami's circular economy. Organized by Debris Free Oceans, facilitated by Florida Sea Grant, and funded by a NOAA Marine Debris grant, the workshop brought together changemakers from across nonprofits, business, education, and government to confront Miami-Dade’s escalating waste crisis and co-create a path toward a circular, zero-waste future.

Participants were divided into six breakout groups—Events & Venues, Restaurants, Schools, Hotels, Offices/Corporate, and Residential—where they audited sector-specific waste streams, identified diversion gaps, and prioritized strategies using an Impact vs. Effort Grid. The mission: shift Miami toward a reusable, regenerative, zero-waste future.

Global Cities, Local Lessons: Rethinking Waste at the Source

The workshop opened with two standout case studies:

Lila Durix, Manager for Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics at the City of Paris, shared how Paris is leading the transition away from single-use plastics (SUPs)—including not only conventional plastic, but also compostables, lined paper cups, and even aluminum cans with plastic linings. In the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics, Paris invested in city-managed reusable cup systems and commercial washing infrastructure, and launched France’s first municipal plastic-free business label, Label Commerces Zéro Plastique, certifying over 55 companies for plastic-free operations. To date, the initiative has helped avoid 98 tons of plastic waste.

Ellie Moss, co-founder of the nonprofit Perpetual, highlighted citywide reuse systems piloted in Hilo (Hawaii), Ann Arbor (Michigan), Galveston (Texas), and Savannah (Georgia). These models replace disposable takeout packaging with trackable, returnable containers—washed either centrally or by participating restaurants. Designed for inclusivity and ease (RFID tags, multilingual signage, token-based access), these systems offer a practical pathway for reducing foodware waste while testing long-term financial viability and municipal savings.

Maria Perilli of Bye Bye Plastic at Zero Waste Miami workshop

Transforming the Footprint of Events & Venues

Maria joined the Events & Venues group to unpack the often-overlooked plastic waste generated at festivals, concerts, and large-scale gatherings—where the party may be visible, but the footprint is not. From barware and food packaging to vinyl signage and build materials, the waste adds up fast.

Together, the group explored practical, scalable solutions:

• Installing bulk water refill stations to reduce bottled waste and encourage guests to bring reusable bottles

• Phasing out single-use serviceware in favor of durable, reusable options or truly compostable alternatives

• Recovering construction and decor materials that are often discarded after one-time use and rerouting to creative reuse centers

• Partnering with venues and vendors that already have sustainability policies or infrastructure in place

The Impact vs. Effort Grid helped identify immediate wins versus long-term strategies. Hydration stations, vendor alignment, and smart swaps rose to the top for being both achievable and impactful. Larger systems—like composting and city-wide wash networks—were acknowledged as critical but requiring more investment and collaboration.

What’s Next for Zero Waste in Miami

This workshop didn’t just highlight challenges—it sparked real momentum for solutions. With Miami generating over 10.8 pounds of waste per person per day (twice the USA average), there's a clear need—and opportunity—for systemic change.

What’s next?

• A second workshop to deepen strategies

• Empowering continued collaboration across sectors

• Expanding access to the Zero Waste Miami Handbook to grow the coalition and support awareness and action at every level

• Exploring sector-specific procurement guides to support more sustainable purchasing decisions across industries

At Bye Bye Plastic, we’re proud to be part of this movement—not just as consultants, but as cultural disruptors helping rewrite the norms around celebration. Our global mission to eliminate single-use plastic in the music industry continues to take root locally, through vendor matchmaking, plastic-free event transitions, and hands-on work with venues and organizers who are ready to raise the bar.

This moment goes beyond one workshop. It’s part of a movement—and we’re here to push the #PlasticFreeParty forward, city by city.