In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) hosted the opening night reception for “Recycle Right Miami-Dade: The Youth Collective” at the Westchester Regional Library, bringing together students, families, educators, and community leaders to highlight the power of youth-driven environmental advocacy.
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The exhibition features more than 250 artworks from middle and high school students across Miami-Dade County – originally submitted through DSWM’s annual Recycling Art Poster Contest. On display at the Westchester Library until May 21, the collection transforms individual pieces into a collective visual call to action – encouraging residents to recycle right, reduce waste, and rethink everyday habits in support of the county’s Zero Waste goals.
The opening reception included remarks from county leadership, recognition of participating student artists, and an interactive Earth Day Expo with hands-on sustainability activities, featuring Fertile Earth Worm Farm and the Scrapp recycling app, both winners of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority’s Fifth Public Innovation Waste Diversion Challenge.
Community members also had the opportunity to engage directly with students and educators, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship at all ages.
“Our youth must lead the way, and they are already doing so by example – showing us that small, everyday actions can have a meaningful impact on our environment,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This exhibition reflects the creativity and commitment of our community to building a more sustainable future and advancing our Zero Waste vision for Miami-Dade County.”
The initiative also reflects the county’s broader commitment to integrating education, innovation, and community partnerships to drive long-term environmental progress.
“This exhibition is a powerful reminder that sustainability starts with awareness and action,” said Chief Utilities and Regulatory Services Officer Roy Coley. “We encourage all residents to visit the exhibit, be inspired by these young artists, and take part in our shared responsibility to reduce waste and recycle right every day.”
Working within a standard 8.5 × 11-inch format and using accessible materials such as colored pencil, marker, and watercolor, students translated complex environmental issues into compelling visual narratives. Their artwork bridges the gap between policy and practice, demonstrating how individual choices contribute to broader environmental outcomes.
“Events like this highlight how education, innovation, and community engagement come together to support our long-term sustainability goals,” said DSWM director Aneisha Daniel, PhD. “By empowering our youth and engaging residents, we are building a stronger, more environmentally responsible Miami-Dade.”
The exhibition was made possible through DSWM’s partnership with the Libraries Department.
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“This exhibition reflects the power of our libraries to serve as community hubs for learning, creativity, and civic engagement,” said Lydia Lopez. Miami-Dade Public Library System interim director. “We are proud to provide a space where students can share their voices and inspire our community through art and sustainability.”
Educational leaders also highlighted the role of students as key ambassadors for environmental awareness and behavior change within their communities.
“Our students are not only learning about environmental responsibility, they are also actively shaping the conversation,” said Dr. José L. Dotres, Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent. “Through their creativity, they are inspiring their peers, families, and communities to take meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.”
In addition to being prominently displayed at the Westchester Regional Library through May 21, and receiving special recognition at a county commission meeting last month, the works of the 14 winners of DSWM’s Annual Recycling Art Poster Contest will be digitized and featured on the Metrorail, bringing their vision of sustainability to communities across Miami-Dade County.
For more information about the exhibition and DSWM’s recycling programs, visit miamidade.gov/recycling.
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