***April 2, 2020 update: Curbside compost collection program will begin, as scheduled, on Monday, April 6. However, to ensure the safety of staff and protect them against the possibility of COVID-19 exposure, yard waste bags and bundled brush/limbs will not be serviced at this time. Collection
will be done only from carts, using the mechanical arm on solid waste vehicles. To clarify, residents will only be able to use curbside compost service to discard their compost if the materials are placed into their compost carts.
The city is requesting that residents and property owners who may have already loaded and placed yard waste bags at the curb, remove those bags and store them in a dry location until full service can be restored. In addition, be advised that the city's compost facility is closed to all residential and contractor drop-off and compost pick-up operations until further notice.
Dealing with compost and yard waste at home
We set up a tips page for those who want to explore more at home composting and yard waste options.
Compost carts
The city is offering free delivery of a compost cart, 64 or 96 gallon size, to any home that doesn't currently have one. To order a cart, please contact the Customer Service Center by phone at 734.994.7336, or via email at customerservice@a2gov.org. Supplies are limited. Orders for additional carts will be charged the additional cart fee, but delivery will be free. Please note that repeat orders will be placed behind first-time orders.
Carts exceeding 112 pounds for the 32-gallon, 224 pounds for the 64-gallon, or 336 pounds for the 96-gallon size will not be serviced.
Acceptable compost materials
- Plate scrapings and food waste (including meat and bones)*
- Bamboo dinnerware*
- Grass clippings*
- BPI certified compostable bags, containers, silverware, etc.
- Leaves and brush
- Branches less than 6 inches diameter (must fit in cart with lid closed)
- Unpainted, untreated lumber (must fit in cart with lid closed)
- Weeds
- Undecorated and cut up Christmas trees
- Garden pruning, garden surplus, crab apples, etc.
*Items for optional compost carts only.
Unacceptable compost materials
- Plastic bags or containers
- Trash and recyclables
- Dirt, rocks, stones or gravel
- Sawdust
- Branches over 6 inches in diameter or over 4 feet in length
- Painted or treated wood
- Animal waste or cat litter
- Tree stumps
- Diapers
Yard waste bags and bundled brush/tree limbs
**April 2, 2020 update: Until further notice, yard waste bags will not be collected at the curb. Paper yard waste bags may be used for yard waste such as leaves, weeds and other vegetation. Bundled brush or tree limbs, four feet or less, can be tied with natural twine in bundles up to 18 inches in diameter, can be left at the curb for pickup. Individual tree limbs must be no more than 6 inches in diameter.
As bags can be difficult to
service at times while also posing a greater injury and health risk to staff,
we are encouraging all composters, who can, to take advantage of carts. If you
must use yard waste bags, please don’t overload them.
If you can’t lift it comfortably, neither can city staff.
Preparing compost and cart
Make sure to prepare your compost and compost cart properly for timely service and to avoid odors.
Yard waste drop-off
**The compost facility will be closed to all residential and contractor drop-off and pick-up activities until further notice. Available at the compost facility located at 4170 Platt Road and operated by WeCare Denali, open weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday between April and June from 8 a.m. to noon. Payments made be made by check or credit card only. Please visit WeCare Denali for current fees and pricing. No cash is accepted.
Drop-off options
- Grass, leaves, other vegetation – must be clean and free of brush/wood
- Mix yard waste/brush/pallets (no plywood or OSB)
- Wood chips – must be clean
- Food waste
Drop-off directions
Upon entering, follow signs to the scale house then proceed to the Compost Facility were Denali staff will process your transaction. Following purchase, proceed back to the scale house to weigh out.
Ann Arbor residents may deliver 1 cubic yard per household per day of acceptable yard waste materials, at no charge, to the City of Ann Arbor Monday thru Friday, from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. In order to drop off yard waste, a valid City of Ann Arbor driver's license or a recent water bill is required.
City landlords, owners of multiple single-family properties and businesses are not eligible for this program.
Compost facility tours
*The city's compost facility is currently closed for tours until further notice. Tours of Ann Arbor's composting facility are available to the public. Located at 4150 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, each 1 hour tour will include a description of industrial composting, overview of the equipment and facility as well as a look at the finished compost product. Tours start at noon on the second Wednesday of the month with one Saturday tour as noted below. There will also be tours during the Department of Public Work's Open House in October. Date to be determined.
*Cancelled: April 8, 2020
May 13, 2020
June 10, 2020
Saturday: June 27, 2020 (Starts at 10 am)
July 8, 2020
August 12, 2020
September 9, 2020
November 11, 2020
For more information on the tours, please contact Don
Butynski 734.489.4518 or dbutynski@wecareorganics.com.
