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Recycling Plant (MRF) Free Tours and Open Houses
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Ann Arbor's municipal Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), 4150 Platt Road, is the city's recycling plant. Free open houses and pre-arranged week day group tours of the municipal recycling plant are available.
The MRF access road is located at 4150 Platt Road (just south of the E. Ellsworth intersection.) Follow the one-mile paved road to the MRF. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required, no high heels.
Saturday Open Houses are offered on one Saturday morning per month from 10-Noon, Sept. - June, to give the public a chance to tour the MRF’s recycling operations, and participate in monthly featured activities (see below). Individuals and families may drop in for ~30-60 minute activities and site tours between 10-Noon. Groups of 5+ are asked to pre-register to assure adequate staffing and supplies are on-hand. Schedule is listed below.
Weekday Group Tours are available. Groups of 15-36 (including drivers and siblings) may pre-arrange their own free weekday MRF tour and activity. A MRF visit typically runs 60-90 minutes and can be scheduled between 8am and 5pm. Children under age 6 enjoy activities in the classroom only, and are not permitted on the MRF floor for a tour. Larger groups may be accommodated in some cases.
For more information or to preregister through the City of Ann Arbor Public Services (734) 794-6000 ext 43118 or 43112, or e-mail nstone@a2gov.org. Per our risk manager: Unscheduled drop-in visits to the MRF are not permitted, as there are no tour guides on-site except during pre-arranged activities.Just contact us--we want to work with you! Thank you.
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Visiting the MRF - Useful Information:
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Saturday, September 10th, 2011 Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
MRF Turns 16! Anniversary Celebration: Join us for facility tours, cake, and an optional party favor craft using Scrap Box supplies. See the new single-stream plant up close! Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free!
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Saturday, October 15th, 2011, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Nature's Recyclers featuring Leslie Science & Nature Center's naturalist with a vulture and other live recyclers. Pre-registration requested for all attendees. Recycling plant floor tours available. Email nberg@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6000 x43118. Free programs start at 10 and 11:30.
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Saturday, November 5th, 2011, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Build a Bird Feeder from your recycled soda pop bottle. Bring your own bottle. Other supplies and starter seed provided. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free!
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Recycled Papermaking! Save a forest by recycling. Make your own piece of recycled paper. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free!
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Saturday, January 14th, 2012, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Postage Stamp Crafts! Make bookmarks, magnets, or pin gifts re-using postage stamps. Materials provided. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free!
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Saturday, February 11th, 2012, Open House 10:00am - 2:00pm
Worm Bin Workshop! Learn about indoor composting using red worms. Pre-register to participate in the workshop and bring home your very own worm bin. Workshop kits cost $25 and include a bin, red worms, turner, instructual book, and the workshop. Free to attend as an observer. Workshops begin at 10am and 1pm. Pre-register early to partcipate! This event fills up quickly-- 734.794.6000 x43118 or nberg@a2gov.org. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more attending the workshop as observers please also pre-register.
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Terrific Tile Making! Create a mosaic tile from recycled materials and clay. Artwork suitable for hanging, use as a hot plate, or place in the garden. Materials Provided. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free!
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Saturday, April 14th, 2012, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Close up with Compost! Learn about composting and take home your very own seedling planted in compost from the City of Ann Arbor's Compost Facility. Materials provided. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, Earth Day Festival 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Earth Day Festival! Attend this annual family-friendly event at Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd. Ann Arbor. The festival features LSNCs live raptors, critters, and reptiles. Participate in hands-on craft activities, guided hikes, tours of Project Grow's Discovery Garden, environmental exhibits, face-painting, bubbles and more! There will be live entertainment through-out the festival, kicking off with the musical talents of the local duo Gemini from Noon to 1pm. www.a2earthday.org
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Saturday, May 19th, 2012, A2 Blooms Day 9:00am - 12:00pm
Downtown A2 Blooms Day. Meet at Liberty Plaza between Liberty and S. Division in Downtown Ann Arbor at 9:00 a.m. Volunteer to spend the morning planting blooms around downtown and light cleaning up. Volunteers get free parking at designated areas, a free t-shirt and a free pizza lunch. Bring work gloves and trowels if you have them. Flowers and materials provided. Pre-register by emailing nstone@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43112. www.a2bloomsday.org.
Note: No MRF Open House in May
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Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, Open House 10:00am - 12:00pm
Wonderful Windsocks! Make colorful flying art with materials from the Scrap Box including surplus hot air ballon fabric. Bring home your flying art--perfect for hanging inside or out. Materials provided. Recycling plant floor tours available. Groups of 5 or more please pre-register at nberg@a2gov.org or 734.794.6000 x43118. Drop-ins welcome! Free
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Friday, June 8th, 2012, Mayor's Green Fair 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Mayor's Green Fair downtown on Main Street. This free event includes hands-on activities, live music, and over 100 exhibits and activities for all ages. More information on www.a2gov.org/greenfair.
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Back to Solid Waste & Recycling Web page |
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New MRF Single-stream recycling video (5 minutes) from CTN!
Step-by-step guide to recycling processing at the Ann Arbor MRF (4-page pdf)
July 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.
MRF Outbound Markets (PDF)
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