Business Recycling and Waste News

Updates and News

Dec. 27, 2011 -- City launches Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums in 2012 at the downtown Ann Arbor Public Library on second Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 12 is on Resource Management. Details at www.a2gov.org/sustainability. Flyer attached (pdf).

Nov. 15, 2011 -- Over the last year Ann Arbor’s recycling rates have increased by 24 percent and trash tonnages have been reduced by 10 percent. In July 2010 the City of Ann Arbor’s recycling system underwent a transformation to a single-stream operation and other enhancements. This year, on America Recycle’s Day, the city looks back over the first year of the upgraded recycling program. Press release attached (pdf).

May 13, 2011 Video now available of Washtenaw County's WasteKnot business partner recognition ceremony and 20-minute presentation on the NSF Intl.'s Sustainability Verification Program. Keynote speaker Petie Davis, Manager with the NSF International's Sustainability Services, addressed how to avoid empty 'greenwashing' claims through the development of standardized criteria and testing for NSF-certified sustainablity programs and logos. NSF International is based in Dexter, MI and provides world-wide testing and validation services for a range of consumer goods, e.g., EnergyStar, The event was held at Webers Inn on April 21, 2011. (43-minute video link). Link to the free WasteKnot recognition program at Washtenaw County here.

May 9, 2011 — Recycle clean plastic flower pots and plant trays. Thanks to the July 2011 upgrade to the City of Ann Arbor’s single-stream recycling facility, an expanded range of plastic bottles, tubs, deli-trays, and cup-shapes can be put into recycling carts. Acceptable plastic gardening containers include clean plastic pots used for holding plants, shrubs, and trees; clean trays that hold flats of plants (please discard the flimsy plant “cell packs”); and clean hanging planters (with the hangers removed and discarded). Press release attached (pdf).

Mar. 3, 2011 --- Wall Street Journal names Recyclebank #1 Cleantech company in the world. Link to article on WSJ site.

Feb. 17, 2011 — The local nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor announced today that the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth will reduce days of operation starting March 1, 2011. The station will cut back from five to three days of operation, but will offer later hours for customer convenience. Hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday each week. Details on the materials accepted and fees assessed at the Drop-Off Station are posted online at www.recycleannarbor.org and by phone at 734.662.6288. Press release attached (pdf).

SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING Link here for a Web page devoted to Ann Arbor's source-separated, single-stream recycling program that started Monday, July 5, 2010. More specifics on this Web page.

Business Recycler Award: 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.

Missed the Michigan Recycling Coalition's Master Recycler Business Training workshop, offered in Ann Arbor in October 2009? An edited, 1:45 minute version of the of the half-day workshop is now available for online viewing at any time via Ann Arbor's Community Television's Network's online, on-demand service located at http://a2cititv.pegcentral.com/.

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 at a participating store or drop-off location. Want to offer a rechargeable battery recycling box at your business? Information is posted at www.rbrc.org.
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.

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.

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:

Information on the non-residential refuse collection franchise (link to a new page).
Summary of the current Commercial Recycling Implementation Plan proposal (2-page pdf)
Full Commercial Recycling Advisory Committee Report (link to new page with full report binder)
Meeting notes from the Commercial Recycling Advisory Committe (link to new page)
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)
Background to Commercial Recycling and Waste committee review (link to the city's Systems Planning/solid waste Web page and planning attachments)
Current Commercial Recycling Advisory Committee meeting summaries 2008 (link to RRSI consultant page)
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)