Report
The final Organics Management Plan report (PDF) is now available.
Overview
The City of Ann Arbor has an ambitious "Zero Waste" goal and has developed policies and programs aimed at reducing the amount of waste disposed in landfills. To help achieve this goal, the City is developing a comprehensive Organics Management Plan to identify options for diverting additional organic waste, which make up a large portion of material in trash carts, from the waste stream.
Currently, Ann Arbor has a collection and composting program for residential organic wastes, yet opportunities exist to expand these efforts. Expanding collection to the business sector is one such opportunity which is not currently utilized. The purpose of the Organics Management Plan will be to collect input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including residents, businesses and institutions, so that a more organics waste plan can help guide efforts to reduce disposal of organic material in landfills.
What do you need to know about the Organics Management Plan?
"Organic wastes" include landscape waste (grass, bush and tree trimmings, leaves), food waste (spoiled food, food preparation waste, uneaten food) and fats/oils/greases (from restaurants, primarily used in food preparation).
When complete, the Organics Management Plan will: identify opportunities and needs for organics waste management; evaluate resource and logistic needs for alternative management options; and develop a strategy for implementing selected alternatives.
Work on the Organics Management Plan began in April 2016 and will be completed in early 2017.
The City has contracted with CB&I Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc., a national waste and recycling consulting firm, to develop the Organics Management Plan. CB&I's project team also includes the community engagement expertise of Project Innovations. CB&I and Project Innovations will be leading many of the tasks in developing the Organics Management Plan.
Public involvement
Interviews with stakeholders identified by the City and consultant team
Residential Advisory Committee and Commercial Advisory Committee meetings; committees will be established by the City and consultant team. All meetings will include an opportunity for public comment
Random sampling of Ann Arbor residents, to be conducted by phone around September 2016.
Documents
Plan Presentation to the Environmental Commission, April 27, 2017 (PDF)
Presentation to Environmental Commission, Thursday, February 23, 2017
Commercial Advisory Committee January 25, 2017
Residential Advisory Committee, Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Commercial Advisory Committee, Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Residential Advisory Committee meeting November 16, 2016:
Compost Facility Tour November 15, 2016:
Commercial Advisory Committee meeting November 2, 2016:
Residential Advisory Committee Meeting September 21, 2016
Residential Advisory Committee Meeting July 20, 2016
Commercial Advisory Committee Meeting August 10, 2016
