As of April 28, 2026, the Heart of Florida Landfill in Bushnell is gearing up for a significant transformation. This facility, owned by Waste Connections, is constructing a new rail line to facilitate the transportation of trash from Miami-Dade County. This development has been met with considerable concern from local residents, who have raised complaints regarding odors and issues related to trash transportation. Many locals feel that Sumter County is being turned into a dumping ground for Miami-Dade’s waste.
Since 2015, the Heart of Florida Landfill has had a contract with Miami-Dade County, which was recently amended to allow for waste transfer. The landfill is viewed by Miami-Dade County as “contracted capacity” for waste disposal, which underscores the growing reliance on this facility. With Miami-Dade facing a capacity crisis—especially following the fire at the Resource Recovery Facility in Doral in February 2023—the urgency for alternative waste management solutions has intensified.
New Rail Spur and Waste Management Plans
A rail spur is currently under construction along County Road 475, which will enable the landfill to receive up to 4,800 tons of garbage per week via rail starting this summer. In addition to this rail transport, another 62,000 tons of waste will be brought in by truck. The agreement for waste transport is set to last until 2035, with the option for 10-year renewals, allowing for a staggering 250,000 tons of garbage per year until 2055. However, the fee for this service stands at $72.25 per ton, which adds another layer of complexity to Miami-Dade’s waste management strategy.
Despite the logistical plans being set in motion, concerns linger among residents. Many express worries about potential odors emanating from the landfill and how waste will be managed upon its arrival. While the City of Bushnell has yet to take a formal stance on these plans, local residents are vocal about their concerns regarding the landfill’s operations and the implications for their community.
Future Waste Management Solutions
In light of these developments, Miami-Dade County is actively seeking long-term solutions for waste management. Initially, there were plans for a new waste-to-energy facility; however, those plans are currently stalled. Instead, the county is leaning towards constructing a new landfill or awarding contracts for additional landfill capacity. A recent memo from the Miami-Dade Mayor suggested that a new landfill could be built for an estimated $556 million, with annual operating costs projected at $163 million. Discussions about the site for this landfill have been ongoing for nearly two years, complicated by opposition from local officials near proposed locations.
As Miami-Dade generates approximately five million tons of garbage annually, with its existing landfills nearing capacity, the need for solutions is pressing. The North Dade Landfill and South Dade Landfill are anticipated to have about five and four years of capacity remaining, respectively. In September, updated agreements with Waste Connections and WM were announced, expanding their capacity for Miami-Dade County to 800,000 tons annually, up from 1.25 million tons.
Community Response and Local Impact
Local residents remain steadfast in voicing their concerns about the landfill’s growing operations. With the city of Bushnell not taking a definitive position, the community is left feeling uncertain about the future. The complexities of waste management in Miami-Dade County are becoming increasingly evident, as local officials grapple with balancing the needs of a densely populated region with the environmental implications of waste disposal.
As Miami-Dade continues to explore its options, the issues surrounding waste management are far from resolved. The county’s reliance on landfills, amid growing opposition to new waste-to-energy facilities, creates a challenging landscape for waste management. Moving forward, local communities will continue to watch closely as decisions are made that could significantly impact their quality of life.
For further details on these developments, you can read the full article on WESH and additional insights on the situation via Waste Dive.