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| Central Biscayne Bay - ©jacob katel |
It’s a dirty world. Can you dig it?
Grab a shovel.
By now you’ve probably heard about the Miami Foundation’s plan to create industrial pollution in the name of Biscayne Bay conservation through the manufacture of specialty license plates at a prison in Raiford, Florida.
For almost one hundred years, all official Florida license plates have been made at Union Correctional Institution, a Florida State Prison between Gainesville and Jacksonville.
Today, the process is managed by a Florida registered corporation, PRIDE Industries Inc., with its principal address in Roseville, California.
License plate manufacturing is certainly not the worst thing in the world in terms of pollution, but it is ironic and hypocritical to pretend that it’s good for the environment or for Biscayne Bay, and it’s important to note how the very process of production works in terms of materials, toxicity, hazards, and disposal; and their effects on the watershed, the waterfront, the water itself, and everything living in it.
There are hazardous and noxious chemicals involved in specialty license plate production. They need to be highly durable, visible, reflective, strong, light, and cheap, and that involves the use of various ingredients with poisonous attributes and hazardous byproducts.
The very notion of creating toxic waste as a worthy cause to ask people to pay for in the name of restoring the Biscayne Bay is nasty.
I want to know the details of the process.
It is public information in the public interest and available somewhere, so I sent a FOIA request to find out.
Let’s see how long it takes. I sent my request on Friday, June 6th, 2025, and here is what I said.
Good Evening,
My name is Jacob Katel. I am an author and journalist in Miami-Dade County.
I am writing to request a list of all the chemicals used in the production, manufacturing, cleaning, and disposal procedures associated with Protect Biscayne Bay specialty license plates including the disposal process for hazardous byproducts of manufacturing.
I am also requesting a list of equipment used in the manufacturing process and cleaning agents used on any machinery.
I am further requesting a list of the supplier/s or distributors of all the materials noted above.
I request information on the design process for the Protect Biscayne Bay specialty plate and what company handles it, and a breakdown of the chemical components of the specific paint and/or reflective products used in the production of Protect Biscayne Bay specialty license plates.
Finally, I am requesting information on the transport process for delivering specialty plates manufactured at Union Correctional Raiford to Miami, simply if they are driven by car, truck, train, plane, or boat between the manufacturing location and location for sale.
I prefer the information in a digital format deliverable by email to this address. If there are any costs associated please provide an estimate first.
This is all in reference to Biscayne Bay restoration projects for continuing media coverage.
Thanks and if you have any questions feel free to contact me at this address.