Compost collection runs from April till mid-December. Please note, you can continue to utilize compost carts over the winter for food waste/scraps. Check out our how-to guide.
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
Compost carts
Optional compost carts, available in 64 and 96-gallon sizes from the Customer Service Center, open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at 301 E. Huron St., 734.994.7336. Carts can be delivered for a fee of $59.
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.
Yard waste bags and bundled brush/tree limbs
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.
Compost bags and bundled brush exceeding 50 pounds will not be serviced.
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
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
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
Tours of Ann Arbor's composting facility are available to the public. Located at 4150 Platt Road in Ann Arbor, a tour will include a description of industrial composting, overview of the equipment and facility as well as a look at the finished compost product.
For more information on the tours, please contact Don
Butynski 734.489.4518 or dbutynski@wecareorganics.com.
