Trash and Recycling Centers Access Management System

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Public Works and Waste Management (PWWM) operates 13 Trash and Recycling Centers, covering a service area of more than 400 square miles. These facilities provide a do-it-yourself disposal option for PWWM residential waste customers for their bulky trash and yard waste items. Eligibility to use the facilities is limited to residents of properties paying the annual waste fee, as defined by address. Residents seeking facility access must present valid photo identification, such as a Drivers License or State ID, as proof of address. In 2009, the PWWM decided to revamp the access process by implementing the Trash and Recycling Center Access Management System (TRCAMS). Under the new program, the bar code located on the back of residents’ Drivers Licenses or State IDs is scanned by a handheld device. The device contains a database of all addresses which pay the residential waste fee. When the scan reveals an address match, the resident is permitted entry. The PWWM’s TRCAMS program provides a standardized access process which moves visitors through more quickly than before and provides useful data related to management and enforcement. It has also produced valuable cost-savings as reflected by a 13.8% decline in disposal costs.