Updates and News
Online survey on your media use...
Please take 3-4 minutes to fill in the linked survey to help us understand what media sources you are using these days in general, and where you are currently getting your information on recycling. The Survey Monkey link is here. Thank you very much!
Reminder: Make sure Ann Arbor counts! Complete and mail back your 2010 Census form: 10 questions, 10 minutes.
Link here for a Web page devoted to the city's plan to develop a source-separated, single-stream recycling for Ann Arbor (rolling out to the public with the delivery of new recycling carts starting July 1, 2010 and continuing until city-wide in 8 weeks). More specifics at this link.
Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-off Station announces New $3 user fee structure effective Jan. 2, 2010 $3 per vehicle fee to apply to all customers except for compost sales; quantity discount pricing available (PDF)
There will be no interruption of weekly solid waste and recycling collection services on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010. Pickups will be as normal Monday-Friday for this week. City Hall offices and the Drop-Off Station, only, will be closed on Feb. 15.
Remember to clear winter snow and ice around solid waste and recycling collectors. Seasonal reminder memo to property managers and residents. Thank you! (1-page pdf)
Missed the Master Business Recycler Training Workshop in Ann Arbor earlier this month? Replays of the 100-minute presentation highlights are offered on CTN, channel 16 and can be scheduled by contacting CTN. Want to catch a future workshop? Contact the nonprofit Michigan Recycling Coaltion for future workshop information.
Business Recycler Award: February 2010 Recycle Ann Arbor recognizes Briarwood Mall and the property management company Simon Property Group as an outstanding Business Recycler.Simon Property Group manages more than 320 shopping centers in the United States, and has owned Briarwood Mall since 2007. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named Simon Property Group as a 2008 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at its malls across the country. Link to awards page for more information.
Don't just wait for recognition! Washtenaw County's free WasteKnot Partner program provides public recognition and support to businesses and institutions throughout the year.
Save money on your non-residential refuse costs by diverting papers and containers to the city's free recycling program! A site audit, collection bins, and weekly service are provided at no additional charge as long as your business is within Ann Arbor's city limits. Call the city's contracted vendor Recycle Ann Arbor at (734) 662-6288 or link to this city Web page for more details.
- NEW federal DOT requirements: used rechargeable batteries must be sealed with clear tape at the positive end before recycling or discarding.
- Washtenaw County has created a list of drop-off sites for a wider range of source-separated plastics, including plastic shrink wrap at www.recyclemyplastic.com.
Shopping bag update: Thank you to more than 70 business people who responded to our online survey or attended a focus group regarding possible city ordinances to discourage disposable bag waste and encourage the use of reusable bags. We also received comments via a separate online survey from 733 consumers who live, work, and/or shop in Ann Arbor. Many thoughtful insights were provided. The next steps will be taken when City Council resumes working sessions to review the shopping bag topic.
Tip of the season: Ann Arbor's municipal compost currently costs $7/cubic yard (reduced from $20/yard a year ago) due to a drop in construction and landscaping activity within the Great Lakes region. This is good news for buyers! A2 compost is cured, screened, attractive (looks like rich, dark espresso coffee grounds), full of organic nutrients, and certified by the U.S. Composting Council as an excellent product to use for mulch around foundation plantings for a polished appearance, which will conserve water and reduce weed growth. More information is posted at www.a2gov.org/compost.
Dumpster information at-a-glance: www.a2gov.org/dumpsters for nonresidential franchise customers. Non-residential locations are being contacted of the city's refuse dumpster franchise in a geographic, systematic fashion, to transfer refuse dumpster collection to the city's selected vendor Waste Management.
Business Watch: Recycling markets are often used to anticipate and track economic trends. For example when old corrugated cardboard (OCC) markets are weak, that is generally viewed as an indicator that there is a drop in the production and sales of durable goods, such as televisions and refrigerators. OCC prices are about half of what they were in mid-2008, when a ton sold for $120. However, aluminum prices have stayed relatively constant at $1000/ton after an initial dip last year. Why? Ann Arbor's aluminum cans are sold to Anheuser-Busch and beer sales usually remain strong during economic downturns. A silver (aluminum) lining to this cloud?
Sign up for free, automatic e-mail notifications at the top of the right column on this page and get information on the city's commercial sector refuse and recycling programs, including program updates, new services available, waste reduction tips, peer business case studies, etc.
Background to the Commercial Recycling Implementation Plan
The City of Ann Arbor engaged with business representatives to identify ways to increase recycling in the commercial sector and reduce trash collection costs. The two primary components of the program are to:
- Provide a citywide commercial refuse dumpster franchise with a competitively-selected private vendor.
- Facilitate recycling at all commercial locations at no additional cost to businesses.
Additional information:
-
-
Summary of the current Commercial Recycling Implementation Plan proposal (2-page pdf)
-
-
-
Press release on November-December public open house reviews of the proposed commercial recycling and waste hauling franchise plan (2-page pdf)
-
PowerPoint overview of the Commercial Recycling Implementation Plan (13-page pdf)
-
Letter mailed to the city's current commercial refuse dumpster customers (2-page pdf)
-
-
-
City Council resolution supporting the Advisory Committee recommendations Jan. 5, 2009 (2-page pdf)
-
City Council resolution authorizing a Commercial Soild Waste Rate Schedule Oversight Committee Jan. 20, 2009 (1-page pdf)