City surveys local businesses and institutions for input to help shape Ann Arbor Circular Economy Action Plan

The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations has launched a digital survey inviting community organizations to help shape the emerging Circular Economy Action Plan. The survey is open now through June 30, 2026, at https://engage.a2gov.org/circularecon.  

The Circular Economy Action Plan is being developed as part of A2ZERO, Ann Arbor’s plan to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. Under this work, the city envisions creation of a plan that provides guidance on how Ann Arbor can move toward an economic system that is more generative and regenerative, as opposed to an economy focused on taking, using and making waste. It is anticipated that the Circular Economy Action Plan will center around three core pillars: preventing waste by designing it out at the source, circulating materials to extend their life and value, and regenerating nature through solutions that restore ecosystems and strengthen the community’s relationship with the land.

“We have learned so much through in-depth conversations with local businesses, institutions and community leaders, insights that are both inspiring and actionable,” said Genevieve Rattray, sustainability and innovations manager at the City of Ann Arbor. “This survey expands the conversation to members of the business community because the more perspectives we gather, the stronger and more impactful this plan will be.”

The survey is the next part of a multi-phased effort to gather public input on the topic of circularity, including previous work with a 15-member resident advisory committee and ongoing work with an internal and external stakeholder committee. To help expand voices informing this planning process, the city is now interviewing business and institutional leaders, conducting a digital survey to gather input from local businesses, and will soon be hosting a workshop and visioning session with community stakeholders.

All feedback collected through this engagement process will be used in a circular opportunity assessment, where ideas are reviewed for feasibility and then prioritized for possible inclusion in the Circular Economy Action Plan.

To learn more, get engaged, take the survey or stay up to date, visit the Circular Economy Action Plan page. For more information, go to the city’s circular economy website. 

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Media Contact: 

Genevieve Rattray, Sustainability and Innovations Manager, City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, grattray@a2gov.org