Pembroke Pines advances RESOLVE recycling and anaerobic‑digestion plan; commissioners ask for odor, cost and regional details

City staff presented a plan called RESOLVE (Recycling, Energy and Sustainable Organics Life‑cycle Value Enhancement) that would combine material recovery, pre‑treatment and anaerobic digestion to capture renewable natural gas (RNG) and reduce landfill disposal. Mark Gomes, assistant city manager and procurement director, outlined the city’s history with a local recycling partner and why Pembroke Pines suspended curbside recycling in January 2022. Gomes described current disposal contracts, the regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF) recently opened by Waste Management, and the risks of volatile commodity markets and contamination for recycling economics.

Environmental engineer John Cooper gave the technical overview of alternatives and said the staff proposal explicitly excludes incineration. "We're not doing incineration," Cooper said, explaining that the RESOLVE concept focuses on resource recovery technologies such as landfill‑gas capture, pyrolysis and, centrally, anaerobic digestion to produce RNG and usable digestate. Cooper and Gomes described a design that would first remove recyclable materials with an on‑site MRF‑style separation, then pre‑treat residual organics and feed them to digesters; the biogas would be refined ("scrubbed") for sale or on‑site use and the solid digestate processed for further use or fuel.

Staff identified a potential 59‑acre mitigation parcel adjacent to the existing Routter recycling footprint as the preferred site and laid out a two‑track schedule: secure and prepare the land (including mitigation replacements), then issue an RFQ/RFP for vendor design and procurement. The presentation estimated construction readiness in the next two to three years and noted state permits (including a state solid‑waste permit) would be required.

Gomes and Cooper emphasized possible benefits: higher diversion rates for organics, creation of RNG that can be sold or used locally, and relief for landfill and biosolids pressures. They also noted uncertainties and risks: the market value of recovered recyclables fluctuates, disposal and transport charges vary, and technical constraints (permits, mitigation, odor control) must be addressed in vendor proposals.

Commissioners voiced a mix of support and caution. Mayor Castillo and others said they favor exploring the technology but insisted on binding guarantees: the facility "can't smell," must protect residential quality of life, and must meet safety standards. Commissioners asked staff to identify existing facilities with similar designs in urban settings so the commission could conduct site visits; staff agreed and said they have begun outreach with universities and industry partners. Several commissioners also requested that staff ask the Broward Solid Waste Authority (SWA) to present its master plan and to verify the tonnage and assessment data shown in SWA materials before any commitment to a regional ILA.

As a next step, staff recommended that the commission authorize preparing and issuing an RFP/design package to select a vendor for the proposed facility, continue technical evaluation of SWA membership/options, and keep recycling options open in the near term (including possible interim agreements). No binding long‑term interlocal agreement with the SWA was approved tonight; commissioners said they will evaluate partnerships only after more fact‑checking, community engagement and site visits.

The commission asked staff to return with outreach plans, clarified cost implications for residents, and a report on interim recycling options at a subsequent meeting.