Press Releases

Jan. 17, 2012 -- Results from the city's "Residential Recycling Survey" are now available online (85-page pdf). In the fall of 2011 Ann Arbor residents were invited to respond to a survey about the new single stream recycling expansion and the Recyclebank recycling incentives program. A total of 1012 valid survey responses were received. Press release attached (pdf).

Jan. 13, 2012 -- Learn how to vermicompost on Saturday, February, 11 at the City of Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility, 4150 Platt Road. Pre-ordered indoor worm bin kits will be available for $25 each (pay at the door by cash or check) and include a half-pound of red worms, a plastic bin with aeration holes, and the textbook “Worms eat my garbage” by wormwoman.com Mary Appelhof. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 11. Please call (734) 794-6000 ext 43118 or e-mail nlowen@a2gov.org to make a reservation, as supplies are limited to 20 kits for each session and are sold on a pre-registered basis (pdf). Also see www.a2gov.org/mrf.

Jan. 6, 2012 – Ann Arbor’s trash and recycling collection programs will provide services without interruption on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 and throughout the week. The Municipal Center offices at 301 E. Huron in Larcom City Hall and the Justice Center, including the 15th Judicial District Court, will be closed on the holiday Monday. Safety Services and Utility operations will maintain 24-hour schedules. For holiday tree disposal tips and more, see attached press release (pdf).

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).

Dec. 20, 2011 -- Trash and recycling will not be picked up on Monday, December 26, 2011, or Monday, January 2, 2012, due to holiday observances. Solid waste collections will be delayed one day both weeks and occur Tuesday through Saturday.

Dec. 2011 -- Undecorated Christmas trees may be dropped off — free and 24/7 — in the parking lot adjacent to the Drop-off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth Dec. 15 through Jan. 31. Or cut and tie the tree into bundles (or place in a compost cart, loose) and place at the curb when the weekly curbside compost-collection season returns in April. Wreaths and evergreen roping are generally made with wire or plastic backing and should be placed with the trash inside the A2 trash cart. Press release attached (pdf).

December 2011 Recyclebank Pulse is now available here. Get up to 90 Rewards points for online steps to "Green the Season;" donate points to various Green Schools; and ideas for gift-giving using your Rewards points; and more!

Dec. 5, 2011 -- The City of Ann Arbor is seeking community advisors to assist with developing the next five-year Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. The 12-member committee will include volunteer representatives from Ann Arbor residential neighborhoods, businesses, and other key stakeholders. Interested residents or business representatives should send contact information and a brief written statement of interest to solid waste coordinator Tom McMurtrie, 734.794.6000 x 43707 or email tmcmurtrie@a2gov.org by Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. Press release attached (pdf).

Dec. 2, 2011--Michigan Green Schools applications for the 2011-2012 school year begin January 1st. To receive an application, schools must sign-up for the Green School listserv emails before the first of the year. Interested schools must complete energy-saving and environmental activities from the Michigan Green School program checklist and submit an application before March 1st. Press release attached (pdf).

Dec. 1, 2011-- Ann Arbor's Solid Waste Holiday Checklist covers delays in solid waste pick-ups due to winter holidays, holiday tree disposal options, and tips about reducing excess waste and recycling around the holiday season. Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 29, 2011 – Ann Arbor’s last week of curbside compostable and leaves collection for the season is Dec. 12-16, 2011. Residents may place leaves, weeds, and brush into paper yard waste bags or into their optional compost cart and set the materials at the curb before 7 a.m. on their normal curbside solid waste collection day. Press release 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).

Nov.14, 2011 – There will be no city trash, recycling, or compost collection services on Thanksgiving Day. The normal Thursday pickups will occur on Friday, and the normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, November 26, this week only. The Ann Arbor’s Municipal Center at 301 E. Huron will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thurs., November 24, and Fri., November 25, 2011. Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 3, 2011 -- Ann Arbor’s trash, recycling, and compost collection programs will provide services without interruption on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2011. The Ann Arbor’s Municipal Center—including the Larcom City Hall offices and the 15^th District Court—will be closed on the Friday holiday. Press release attached (pdf).

Oct. 24, 2011 -- Help celebrate America Recycles Day by constructing bird feeders using empty 2-liter plastic bottles on Saturday, November 5 at the city’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) open house, at 4150 Platt Road. Since 1997 the nationwide observation for America Recycles Day (ARD) is held throughout the month of November. Bring your own bottles. Starter seed provided. Optional tours of recycling plant floor also available. Press release attached (pdf).

Oct. 7, 2011 -- On Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. – noon MRF Open House “Nature’s Recyclers” presentation will be offered at the Materials Recovery Facility, 4150 Platt Road, www.a2gov.org/mrf. A Leslie Science & Nature Center naturalist will provide a fun, interactive program featuring a vulture and other living recyclers. An optional MRF tour follows the raptor presentation. Interested attendees must pre-register at 734.794.6000 ext 43112. (Pre-registered programs start at 10 and 11:30 a.m.) Space is limited! FREE. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 26, 2011 -- Child car seats have expiration dates and can be recycled if disassembled properly. Guidelines for recycling child car seats through the City of Ann Arbor's recycling program are now available as part of Moss Children's Hospital's car seat safety program. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 21, 2011 -- Schools Invited to Participate in "Recycle-Bowl" as part of this year's annual America Recycle's Day. K-12 schools will track how much they recycle and compete against other schools nationwide. Schools registered by October 10th can compete for a $1000 state prize and $2500 national prize in this new competition. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 16, 2011 -- Fall leaf management options reminder. Ann Arborites can choose to mulch their leaves on-site, or set paper bags and compost carts of leaves at the curb for weekly pickup, or take advantage of free bulk leaf drop-off locations. Please remember that the city no longer picks up loose leaves that are raked to the street. Press release attached (pdf) and web info at a2gov.org/leaves.

Aug. 19, 2011 -- New for Fall 2011, earn Rewards points and celebrate Back-to-School with Recyclebank's Green Your School Year Challenge. Details also at www.Recyclebank.com.

Aug. 15, 2011 -- There will be no trash, recycling, or compost collection services in the City of Ann Arbor on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2011. The normal Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday and the rest of the collections will occur one day later throughout the week. The normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, September 10, this week only. City Hall offices and the 15^th District Court offices located at 301 E. Huron will be closed on Monday, September 5, and resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 6. Press release attached (pdf).

July 27, 2011 -- MRF open house schedule announced for monthly Saturday event dates, times and themes for Sept-June, 2011-2012 year. Press release attached (pdf) and Web page at www.a2gov.org/mrf.

June 25, 2011 -- Take the online survey and tell the City what you think about a possible addition of a sidewalk repair millage to cover future sidewalk repairs as an addition to the Street Reconstruction Millage renewal. An average homeowner to a homeowner for a possible sidewalk 1/8th mil would be $1/month. More information and the public meetings scehdule are posted on www.a2gov.org/Street Millage. The quick online survey link is posted here.

June 22, 2011 — Recyclebank Launches "Green Your Vacation" Contest for Summer. This nationwide challenge is designed to inspire people to make eco-friendly decisions while on vacation. The Contest runs until July 31, allowing Recyclebank members to learn tips for making their summer vacations eco-friendly, make pledges to take green actions and take challenges to earn Recyclebank points. If you haven't signed up for Recyclebank rewards yet, you can do so here! The Contest's highest scorers and those who have referred the most friends have a chance to win more than 100 prizes including one of two grand prizes: a 10-day National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions cruise to the Galapagos Islands or a five-day, four-night stay at the eco-luxurious Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Press release attached (pdf).

June 21, 2011 — There will be no trash, recycling, or compost trucks on the roads on July 4th, Independence Day. Solid waste routes will be collected one day later throughout the week, with the normal Monday routes serviced on Tuesday and the Friday collection areas picked up on Saturday, July 9th. Ann Arbor’s Larcom City Hall offices and the 15th District Court in the Justice Center will be closed to observe Independence Day on Monday, July 4, 2011. The city’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), Compost Center and W.R. Wheeler Service Center will be closed on Monday, July 4th. Press release attached (pdf).

June 15 2011 -- Recycle Ann Arbor offers for-fee document shredding services on second Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon from May through October at Calvert's Recycling Center 7891 Jackson Road. Flyer attached (pdf).

June 9, 2011 –In preparation for the 11^th annual Mayor’s Green Fair, downtown Ann Arbor’s Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Friday, June 10 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The streets will be blocked off on Main Street between William and Huron. Liberty and Washington Streets between Ashley and Fourth Ave will also be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. Motorists will be diverted around downtown Main Street during this time. Between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the City of Ann Arbor Mayor’s Office will host the Green Fair on Main Street as an evening celebrating our community’s environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofits, businesses, and government. Event information is posted online at www.a2gov.org/greenfair. Press release attached (pdf).

May 26, 2011 -- The City of Ann Arbor's Saturday program of free compost and mulch for Ann Arbor residents is being extended through Saturday, June 25, 2011. Up to one cubic yard (or six bushels) of free, self-loaded compost or mulch for Ann Arbor residents is available between 8 a.m. and Noon on Saturdays, through June 25, at the municipal Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road, while supplies last. Residents must bring their own shovel and containers. Residents proceed to the scale house at 4150 Platt Road and provide proof of Ann Arbor residency: a recent water bill and driver’s license. The scale house operator will direct the resident to the location of the free compost. Limit 6 bushels (or 1 cubic yard) per household. Press release attached (pdf).

May 25, 2011 -- There will be no trash, recycling or compost collection services in the City of Ann Arbor on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. The Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday and the rest of the collections will occur one day later throughout the week. The normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, June 4, 2011. City Hall offices and 15th District Court at 301 E. Huron, the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth, and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road will be closed on the Memorial Day Monday as well. Press release attached (pdf).

May 11, 2012 – Help keep Ann Arbor beautiful at the 23rd annual A2 Downtown Blooms Day on Saturday, May 21. Volunteer scouts, service groups, student organizations, master gardeners, local merchant association members, families, and other volunteers will plant flowers, apply mulch, and help spruce up the areas along State, Main, South University, and Liberty Streets. Interested individuals, families, youth groups, and other organizations should check in between 9-10 a.m. at Liberty Plaza, on Liberty Street at South Division. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt; a free pizza lunch is provided by Pizza House. Details at www.a2gov.org/A2BloomsDay. Press release attached (pdf).

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).

April 29, 2011--Free recycling event to

securely dispose of (working or broken) electronic waste on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pioneer High School parking lot 601 W. Stadium Boulevard (at Main Street). Bring in computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, cables, televisions, VCRs. etc. The event cosponsored by U-M Office of Campus Sustainability and Ann Arbor Public Schools. Details: http://sustainability.umich.edu/events. Business collection options are listed online. Event flyer attached (pdf).

April 18, 2011––Come celebrate the Annual Ann Arbor Area Earth Day Festival April 17, 2011--Join the free Earth Day Festival celebration on Sunday, May 1, 2011 from noon to 4 p.m. in the beautiful Community Park area of Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor. Program details available online at www.a2earthday.org. Press release attached (pdf).

April 12, 2011 — Compost and mulch for-sale; special offers for Ann Arbor residents. Bulk municipal compost and mulch are available for sale from the Ann Arbor Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During April, May, and June, the Compost Center is also open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon. Mechanically-loaded cured and screened municipal compost and wood chips are sold for $15/cubic yard, minimum two cubic yards per visit, while supplies are available. Customers may pay by check or credit card only; no cash is accepted. Ann Arbor residents, only, may be eligible for the following discounts and special offers at the Platt Road Compost Center facility, only:

Free self-loaded compost and mulch for Ann Arbor residents is available on Saturdays, April 16 through May 28, 2011 from 8 a.m. to noon, while supplies last. Residents must bring their own shovel and containers. Residents proceed to the scale house at 4150 Platt Road and provide proof of Ann Arbor residency: a recent water bill and driver’s license. The scale house operator will direct the resident to the location of the free compost. Limit 6 bushels (or 1 cubic yard) per household.
Recyclebank coupon is available for one free cubic yard of compost or mulch with a compost or mulch purchase, while supplies last. The free Recyclebank Rewards program is available to Ann Arbor residents in single-family and duplex homes, starting April 18, 2011. Select the compost coupon online, print a-home, and bring to the Compost Center with proof of residency. Register for the free Recyclebank program online at www.Recyclebank.com or phone 1.888.727.2978.

Use the Drop-Off Station for all transactions under 2 cubic yards. Compost and mulch are sold by the bushel and cubic yard at the Drop-Off Station (DOS) , 2950 E. Ellsworth Road, 734.971.7400. The DOS also provides for-fee delivery of compost and mulch. Press release attached (pdf).

April 12, 2011 — Be a Master Composter! Online registration is now open for the annual six-session Washtenaw County Master Composter class, provided through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Rec & Ed program, posted at http://reced.aaps.k12.mi.us. Learn how to turn your yard waste into something you can use to enrich your flowers, vegetables, and lawn. Discover the basics of home composting in this fun class taught by Master Composters eager to share their experience with you. After attending this course, passing the open book exam, and clocking 10 hours of hands-on community experience, you will become a certified Washtenaw County Master Composter. The $49 fee ($59 for non-Ann Arbor resident) includes six sessions and a printed manual. Press release attached (pdf).

April 11, 2011--Two solid waste collectio

n-day changes in April. Collection efficiencies — convenient recycling carts and Recyclebank incentives — resulting from the launch of Ann Arbor’s expanded recycling program last summer has made it possible for the city to eliminate one solid waste collection route each day. Beginning the week of April 25, 2011, two Ann Arbor areas with curbside collection service will have a different solid waste collection day. Residences bordered between Packard, South Main, East Huron, and South State shift from Tuesday to a Monday pickup day. Residences bordered by Glazier Way, Huron Parkway, Plymouth Road, and US 23 shift from Wednesday to a Tuesday pickup day. Press release attached (pdf).

Mar. 22, 2011 — The weekly curbside collection of residential compostables in the City of Ann Arbor resumes on Monday, April 4, 2011 on regular curbside trash collection days. The compost program accepts yard trimmings such as leaves, plants, garden debris, twigs, and branches up to six inches in diameter and four feet in length. Ann Arbor residents using optional compost carts may also place grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and uncoated paper plates, paper cups, and napkins inside compost carts for municipal collection. Residents may also use paper yard waste bags (available from local retailers) or city-approved compost carts (available for $50 each from the city’s Customer Service & Payment Center). More information is posted at www.a2gov.org/compost. Press release attached (pdf).

Mar. 4, 2011 -- The City of Ann Arbor will celebrate “Earth Hour” and turn off the street lights along Main Street on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participating residents and businesses may officially sign up for this effort at www.earthhour.org by pledging to turn off lights for one hour. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for roughly 22 percent of U.S. electricity consumption and is a significant contributor to our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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. 20, 2011 -- Announcement: NO DELAYS for trash or recycling pickups this week due to the weekend snow storm. Solid waste pickups will be provided on the normal collection days, Monday through Friday, Feb. 21-25. WINTER REMINDER: Remember to clear snow & ice around waste and recycling containers. Thank you! (pdf)

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).

Feb 15, 2011 — It’s now faster and easier than ever for everyone to join Recyclebank and get rewards! Recyclebank’s free registration at Recyclebank.com is easy, immediate, and provides everyone with the opportunity to earn rewards points to use at local and national venues. Plus, City of Ann Arbor residents in single-family and duplex homes are able to earn additional rewards points every week just for recycling. Press release attached (pdf).

Feb. 10, 2011 – -- Ann Arbor’s trash and recycling collection programs will provide services without interruption on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 21, through Friday, February 25, 2011. City government offices and the 15^th District Court, only, will be closed on the holiday Monday. Press release attached (pdf).

Jan. 31, 2011 — TRASH & RECYCLING PICKUPS DELAYED DUE TO STORM. There will be no residential trash or recycling pickups on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011. The city will post on the web at www.a2gov.org/snow the status of street clearing, by neighborhood. Interested citizens may sign up for free e-mail notification of the street plowing locations by clicking on the red envelope for GovDelivery on www.a2gov.org/snow. Press release attached (pdf).

Jan. 28, 2011 — Caps off for recycling! When plastic containers are compressed in the recycling truck, their (detachable) caps and lids can pop off and shoot out of the truck at high speeds. These projectiles are dangerous to the recycling truck drivers and bystanders, and pose similar risks to recycling plant workers. Please help avoid this problem by removing (detachable) caps and lids from all containers prior to recycling and place in the trash; metal jar lids and bottle caps continue to be recyclable. Clear plastic “berry” boxes with attached hinged lids are fully recyclable as-is in Ann Arbor. Longer press release attached (pdf).

Jan. 25, 2011 – The City of Ann Arbor is hosting two vermicomposting workshops on Saturday, February, 12^th at the City of Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility, 4150 Platt Road. Participants may also take an optional tour of the city’s recycling plant after the vermicomposting demonstration. www.a2gov.org/mrf. Press release attached (pdf).

Jan. 4, 2011 – Ann Arbor’s trash and recycling programs will provide normal collection services without interruption on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 and throughout the week. Press release attached (pdf).

Dec. 8, 2010 -- WINTER REMINDER: Remember to clear snow & ice around waste and recycling containers. Thank you! Letter attached (pdf).

Dec. 1, 2010 – Holiday evergreen tree recycling: Undecorated Christmas trees may be dropped off--free and 24/7--in the parking lot adjacent to the Drop-off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth starting Wednesday, Dec. 15 through Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. The city's budget does not include curbside collection of Christmas trees in 2011. Please use the free drop-off site or cut and tie trees into bundles and reserve for the curbside compost collection season, resuming April 4, 2011. Other tree recycling options are posted at on the press release. Press release attached (pdf).

Dec. 3, 2010 — There will be no interruption of trash or recycling collection services in the City of Ann Arbor for the weeks of Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010 and New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. Normal solid waste collection routes will be provided, Monday through Friday, during both year-end holiday weeks. City Hall offices will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 23, and resume normal operations on Monday, Dec. 27. Likewise on the New Year’s holiday, City Hall will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 30, and resume normal operations on Monday, Jan. 3, 201 Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 29, 2010 -- Seasonal compost collection ends Dec. 10; resumes April 4, 2011. Weekly residential compost pickups (from paper yard waste bags, compost carts and bundled brush) will be provided through Friday, Dec. 10, 2010. The compost-collection program will then discontinue for the winter season and resume on the first Monday in April 2011. The city extends thanks to residents for their cooperation during this year’s transition in the fall leaves-collection program. Free drop-off, home composting tips, leaf mulching, etc. at www.a2gov.org/leaves. Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 19, 2010 Special truckload rain barrel ($55-74) and compost tumbler ($125) sale via the Washtenaw County's Soil Conservation District. Orders must be placed by Nov. 30, 2010 for arrival before the holidays, however you may order orders at any time for periodic truckload deliveries . Details online at http://www.washtenawcd.org/ Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 19, 2010 -- Compost Center FAQs on the city's proposed contract with WeCare Organics to operate the city's compost center (pdf).

November 18, 2010 -- CNBC's Secret Life of Trash award-winning video program now available free, online. Link to the 43-minute program is posted here.

November 12, 2010 – Ann Arbor’s City Hall offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thurs., November 25, 2010 and there will be no city trash, recycling, or compost collection services on this holiday. The normal Thursday pickups will occur on Friday, and the normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, November 27, this week only. The Drop-Off Station on 2950 E. Ellsworth near Platt Road will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. The seasonal curbside pickups of compostable materials will end for the growing season on Friday, December 10, 2010. Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 1, 2010 -- Ann Arbor's waste services are unaffected by Veterans Day observation. Ann Arbor’s trash, recycling, and compost collection programs and the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth Road will provide services without interruption on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2010. City Hall offices, only, will be closed on the Thursday holiday. Press release attached (pdf).

Nov. 1, 2010 -- Help celebrate America Recycles Day by hosting construction bird feeders using empty 2-liter plastic bottles on Saturday, November 13^th at the city’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), at 4150 Platt Road. Since 1997 the nationwide observation for America Recycles Day (ARD) is held throughout the month of November. Details at www.americarecyclesday.org. Press release attached (pdf).

October 1, 2010 – The City of Ann Arbor is presenting a leaf mulching demonstration and mulching mower give-away on Sunday, Oct. 10, 1-2:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Wheeler Park shelter at Summit near the train station. Carpenter Bros. Hardware & Rental staff will demonstrate several ways to manage fall leaves including using mulching mowers and other types of rental yard equipment.. At 2 p.m. a new Lawn boy mulching mower made by Toro will be given away as a door prize. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept 29, 2010 - Free sofa collection event is Oct. 22-24 at East University and Oakland from Noon to 5 p.m. daily. Be in compliance with the city's ban on using upholstered furniture on porches. For Ann Arbor residents and property managers only. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 28, 2010 - WasteWatcher newsletter, Fall/Winter issue 2010/2011 (24 page pdf).

Sept. 23, 2010 - Pre-ordered compost carts to be home-delivered between Sept 27 and October 8. NOTE: Deliveries are extended through Tuesday, Oct. 12. These residents pre-ordered compost carts this summer as part of a special truckload sale offered by the city. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 17, 2010 – Ann Arbor’s fall leaf management program is transitioning this year to weekly collection through the Compostables program, provided from April through the end of November. In addition, the city will be accepting unlimited, free leaf drop-off at the Compost Center. Information on fall leaf management options—and the opportunity to subscribe to e-mail updates—is provided online at www.a2gov.org/leaves. New leaf drop-off options (no fee) Unlimited quantities of leaves from city residents and their contracted haulers are accepted (at no charge when accompanied by a free permit signed by the resident) and delivered to the city’s Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road, open Monday through Friday (non holidays) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 734.794.6380 between September 1 through December 31. Download the free drop—off permit at www.a2gov.org/leaves. Press release attached (pdf).

Sept. 16, 2010. On Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – noon MRF Open House “Nature’s Recyclers” presentation will be offered at the Materials Recovery Facility, 4150 Platt Road, www.a2gov.org/mrf. A Leslie Science & Nature Center naturalist will provide a fun, interactive program featuring a vulture and other living recyclers. An optional MRF tour follows the raptor presentation. Interested attendees must pre-register at 734.794.6000 ext 43112. (Pre-registered programs start at 10 and 11:30 a.m.) Space is limited! FREE. Press release attached (pdf).

September 13, 2010 Effective Wed., September 15, the City of Ann Arbor’s bulk compost will again be available for sale. Mechanically-loaded, cured and screened bulk municipal compost will be priced at $9/cubic yard for up to 10 cubic yards per truck load; $7/cubic yard for 10-24 cubic yards per truck load; and $5/cubic yard for 25+ cubic yards per truck load. Details are posted at www.a2gov.org/compost. Press release attached (pdf).

September 1, 2010. RecycleBank launches program in Ann Arbor. Recycling cart weigh-ins begin today. Residents in single-family and duplex homes may activate their RecycleBank Rewards accounts at www.recyclebank.com or by phoning 1.865.563.0114. Press release (pdf) and RecycleBank FAQ (pdf) attached.

August 24, 2010. Community launch event for RecycleBank is Wed., Sept. 1, 11:00 to 12:30 at Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard. Ann Arbor’s partnership with RecycleBank® officially begins Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 with a free community event at Cobblestone Farm from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The public will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about RecycleBank rewards specifics and also collect goodies from some of the participating rewards partners. Free activities will be available for children, including making a recycled-content bank. Press release attached (pdf) and city Web page for RecycleBank. Sign up for the free rewards program online at www.RecycleBank.com or by phone at 1.866.563.0114.

August 24, 2010. There will be no trash, recycling, or compost collection services in the City of Ann Arbor on Labor Day, Monday, September 6. The normal Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday and the rest of the collections will occur one day later throughout the week. The normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, September 11, this week only.City Hall offices and the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth will be closed on Monday, September 6 and resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 7. Press release attached (pdf)

August 11, 2010. MRF open house schedule announced for monthly Saturday evebt dates, times and themes for Sept-June, 2010-2011 year. Press release attached (pdf) and Web page at www.a2gov.org/mrf.

August 2010 FAQs on Single-Stream recycling transition for business locations (pdf)

August 2010 FAQs on Single-Stream recycling transition for multi-family locations (pdf)

August 3, 2010 Recycle yogurt lids from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1, 2010 through the "Bid with your Lid" campaign to support Ann Arbor Parks. Take your Stonyfield yogurt lids to participating stores and vote for the location to receive a $15,000 donation from Stonyfield Farms. Choose between Mack Pool, the Senior Center, or the Parks Scholarship Fund. Details at http://www.stonyfield.com/annarbor. Press release attached (pdf).

August 2, 2010 MRF Re-Opening Celebration on Saturday, August 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4150 Platt Road. The public is invited to this festive event with ongoing tours of the upgraded, single-stream facility, children's craft, displays and demonstrations of the city's new hybrid recycling trucks, light refreshments and more. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 11 a.m. Free. Mark your calendars! General MRF information is posted online at new Web page and at www.a2gov.org/mrf.

July 21, 2010 Deadline is next week for ordering discount-priced $25 Compost carts, pre-ordered by Friday, July 30, for home delivery in mid-September. For more information, see June 8 listing, below, and www.a2gov.org/compost. Press release attached (pdf).

July 20, 2010 Michigan Radio's "Environment Report" hosted an interview on single-stream recycling and posted a 3-minute video clip on YouTube of Ann Arbor's new MRF. Follow the underlined links above to the specific WUOM "Environment Report" and video site.

July 13, 2010 New carts for storing the city’s expanded recyclables are being delivered to Ann Arbor residents and businesses starting Monday, July 12th and continuing delivery for 6-8 weeks.A map of the anticipated delivery dates, by neighborhood areas is linked to a new Web page. Truckloads of Ann Arbor’s recycling carts are being assembled and delivered to approximately 1200 addresses per day. The new carts have a recycling guide imprinted on the lid and an informational packet enclosed, which provides details on the new recycling program and suggestions on how to handle the old recycling bins. Residents and businesses should use their existing recycling stacking bins, carts, or recycling dumpsters to store the expanded, blended recyclables until their new recycling carts are delivered. Press release with FAQs and map attached (pdf)

July 1, 2010 Expanded, single-stream recycling starts Monday, July 5, for all Ann Arbor residents and businesses. Please use existing recycling bins for all single-stream recyclables immediately, before the new recycling carts are delivered over a 6-8 week period. Press release attached (pdf).

June 22, 2010 No interruption of solid waste collection for Indpendence Day observation. Collection will be provided as usual for solid waste, compost, and recycling pickup services on Monday, July 5, 2010 and throughout the week. This is the official first collection day for single-stream recycling for all residents and businesses. City Hall offices and the Drop-Off Station ONLY will be be closed on July 5, 2010 for the Independence Day observation. Press release attached (pdf).

June 21, 2010 The City of Ann Arbor’s residential curbside pickups of household batteries, used motor oil, and used oil filters will cease effective the end of the city’s fiscal year on June 30, 2010 as the city moves towards greater efficiency of recycling collection with the single-stream recycling program, starting citywide on Monday, July 5. These toxic materials may be recycled at many locations that had not been available when first included in the city’s recycling program the 1980s. More specifics are listed on the press release attached (PDF).

June 8, 2010 Compost cart truck-load pre-order sale offer available until July 30. The city is offering residents the opportunity to order a municipal compost cart for a one-time fee of $25 when ordered by July 30, 2010. The pre-paid carts will be home-delivered starting in mid-September. Residents may select a 32-, 64-, or 96-gallon compost cart for $25. Additional carts may be pre-ordered to be delivered to the same address for $50 each. Place your order by clicking below (and add the payment to your next water bill) or by calling 734.994.7336 x 0 or in person at City Customer Service Center at 220 E. Huron, and pay by cash, credit/debit card, or payment on your next water bill. The special factory discount rate for compost carts applies only to carts that are ordered by 5 p.m., Friday, July 30, 2010. Compost carts picked up from the Customer Service Center at any time are priced at the normal cost of $50 each. The use of a rolling compost cart is a convenient option to the use of paper yard waste bags for collecting and transporting yard debris to the curb for weekly, seasonal pickup. Press release (2-page pdf).

Back to solid waste index at www.a2go.org/recycle