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 Compost Information and Sales 

 

WELCOME to www.a2gov.org/compost

This page provides information on purchasing municipal compost.

Looking for specific information on compost? Here's a quick index:

  • Want to purchase a compost cart? Link to the Compost Carts page for more information, sizes, prices, etc. Grass clippings are collected from the compost carts only.
  • Interested in curbside compost pickups and home composting tips? Go to the Compost Collection, home composting information page.
  • Buying compost? See below for new municipal compost prices, compost test results, where/how to purchase, and information on yard waste drop-off options.

COMPOST DESCRIPTION AND SALES INFORMATION 

Compost is created from the natural decomposition of plant materials. Adding compost to landscapes and gardens improves soil texture and balances water retention. Heavy clay soils become lighter with the addition of organic matter and sandy soils become less porous. Plant roots thrive in compost-enriched soils.

  • COMPOST TEST RESULTS Ann Arbor's municipal compost is registered and licensed through the Michigan Department of Agriculture as a fetilizer and soil conditioner. The city's cured, screened compost is tested and certified three times/year by the U.S. Composting Council. (7-page PDF)
The City of Ann Arbor's compost and wood mulch (as available) are sold to the public at two locations. 
 
W. R. Wheeler Service Center (734) 971-8600
Entrance at 4150 Platt Road          
Open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.        
Saturdays (April thru June ONLY) 8 a.m. to Noon
Take the one-mile paved road to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
Pre-pay at the MRF Scalehouse. A loader will be radio’d to fill vehicle.
All trucks must be tarped before leaving. The compost site is operated by the City of Ann Arbor.    
  • COMPOST NEW PRICES Effective March 17, 2009
    Mechanically-loaded cured compost:
  • $7/cubic yard up to 9 yards per truck load 
  • $5/cy for 10-24 cubic yards per truck load
  • $2.75/cubic yard for 25+ cubic yards per truck load
  • Mulch: $12/cubic yard, mechanically loaded ($10/cy Ann Arbor resident), as available. Limited availablity--call in advance.  

Yard waste may also be dropped off at the Compost Center during hours of operation as follows:

  • Ann Arbor residents, no charge for up to one cubic yard (6 paper yardwaste bags) delivered to the MRF Scalehouse per visit. Materials may include grass clippings in addition to the normal yard waste materials picked up curbside (leaves, branches up to 6" in diameter, plants, fruits, etc.). Grass clippings may also be placed in compost carts for seasonal curbside pickup.
  • $10/cubic yard, Ann Arbor residents for materials delivering over one cubic yard of yard debris per visit.
  • $15/cubic yard price to drop off yard debris by non-residents and commercial customers.
  • Information on requesting donation of municipal compost for use in educational projects at local schools and nonprofits. (1 page pdf)
  • Emerald Ash Borer tree infestation: State-wide information at www.emeraldashborer.info
Compost and mulch sales and yard waste drop-off are also available at the: 
 
Drop-Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth (734) 971-7400               
Open weekdays and Saturdays 9-5. Bring your own bags or bushels or truck for transporting compost and mulch--call for pricing and availability.
 
The station is operated by Recycle Ann Arbor on behalf of Washtenaw County. Yard waste may be dropped off for a fee. Compost and mulch delivery is available from Recycle Ann Arbor for a fee.
 

Use the city's new Customer Response System to report a missed compost pickup or other non-emergency solid waste issue.

 

Ann Arbor was recognized by the Michigan Recycling Coalition as the best state compost operation in 2008!


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