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South Plantation High seniors propose city composting pilot
Summary
Two South Plantation High School seniors asked the Plantation City Council to help launch a six‑month, 50‑house composting pilot; sustainability staff and local haulers said they would help explore next steps.
Makayla Lai and Layla Thane, seniors at South Plantation High School, asked the City of Plantation on Feb. 26 to consider a municipal composting pilot aimed at reducing food waste and methane emissions from landfills. They said nonprofit partners have offered to fund and operate an initial, six‑month pilot for 50 households if the city will collaborate.
The students described composting options including residential pickup and community drop‑off sites and said Filthy Organics and the Organics Recycling Foundation have offered to help underwrite a pilot. “Harold Gonzalez, the president of Filthy Organics, … is willing to give us the money to start a pilot program, which would last 6 months and begin with 50 residents of the community,” Makayla Lai said. The students said a Coconut Creek pilot with the same operator has been successful.
Assistant City Administrator Carol Morris told the students the city’s sustainability board has already agreed to help plan the idea. Councilmember Horland and other members encouraged the students to meet with staff and county partners; Horland asked whether Filthy Organics’ proposal would use pickup or drop‑off service, and the students said the partner’s current offer is for drop‑off but pickup could be considered.
Councilmembers and staff raised two practical follow‑ups: (1) connect the students and the nonprofit to the city’s sustainability staff and to the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County for countywide coordination, and (2) explore grant funding Commissioner Hazel Rogers mentioned earlier in the meeting as a possible source for startup costs. Councilmember Andrea said she had submitted the students’ survey results as useful background and would forward grant details.
The students presented preliminary survey results: about 85 Plantation respondents in 24 hours, with 70% saying they would be interested in participating and 25% reporting prior composting experience. The students asked the council to consider the pilot and said they were still refining operational details.
The council did not vote on the proposal at the meeting; members directed staff to accept the students’ outreach and discuss next steps with sustainability staff, county haulers and nonprofit partners.
Looking ahead, the students said they are open to staff questions and further planning; councilmembers encouraged them to meet with Carol Morris and the city’s sustainability board to determine a feasible pilot design and potential funding sources.
