Key West promotes Lily Meadows to Solid Waste Coordinator role

The City of Key West announced the promotion of Lily Meadows to Solid Waste Coordinator on Jan. 9, 2026, a move city officials say will bolster programs aimed at waste reduction, recycling and responsible resource management. The change positions a staff member with planning experience to lead efforts that affect daily life in the island community.

Meadows brings to the role a background in Public Administration and hands-on experience within City Hall. A Florida native raised in Sarasota, she is a double graduate of Auburn University and took up municipal work after serving as Planning Project Coordinator. In that position she managed special projects and worked across departments, experience that now informs a collaborative, detail-oriented approach to solid waste challenges.

Key West life depends on keeping streets, beaches and nearshore waters clean for residents and the many visitors who arrive each year. Solid waste and recycling programs matter in a place where community quality of life, local businesses and the natural environment are closely intertwined. Meadows’s portfolio will include supporting existing programs focused on reducing waste volumes, improving recycling outcomes and advancing responsible resource management across city operations.

Her promotion underscores the city’s emphasis on continuity and internal capacity building. Having someone who has worked inside planning and project coordination means initiatives that touch multiple city services are more likely to be coordinated. For residents, that can translate into clearer communications about collection schedules, outreach on recycling rules and smoother execution of pilot programs when they are introduced.

The appointment also speaks to broader trends in island and coastal governance, where local leaders balance tourism, resident needs and environmental protection. Meadows’s work in Key West will sit alongside similar efforts in island communities internationally that prioritize waste diversion and sustainable practices adapted to small, high-traffic geographies.

The takeaway? Expect steady management rather than sudden overhauls: Meadows’s promotion signals a focus on collaboration, practical improvements and protecting Key West’s environment while respecting the island lifestyle that locals value. Keep an eye on City of Key West announcements for program updates, and do your part by keeping recyclables clean and following local disposal guidance. Our two cents? Small daily actions from residents add up — they’re the real foundation of any successful waste program.