Compost carts
The city offers single-family residential properties one free 64-gallon compost cart.
The first 64-gallon compost cart is free to new customers, new construction or newly annexed properties (land newly obtained by the City of Ann Arbor).
Annual $44 fee to upgrade a cart to 96 gallon, which is added to the quarterly water bill.
One-time $55 fee for each additional compost cart at the same address, which is added to the quarterly water bill.
$61 fee for the delivery of additional carts, return of unwanted carts, or cart exchanges.
$29 to power wash ALL returned carts.
$84 to return to service each cart not set out on time.
To order a cart and arrange for pick up or delivery, please contact the customer service center at 734.994.7336 or via
[email protected].
Carts exceeding 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)*
- Grass clippings*
- CMA-W certified compostable products*
- 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.
- Used, cool wood ashes make great garden and flower bed fertilizer. If you aren't able to use them there, then please place in compost cart.
*Items for compost carts only.
Unacceptable compost materials
- Plastic bags or containers
- BPI certified or other "compostable" plastic like products
- Bamboo or palm leaf products
- Glass
- 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
Paper yard bags and bundled brush/tree limbs
Paper yard bags and bundled brush/tree limbs can be used for yard trimmings such as leaves, weeds and other vegetation. From April through Oct. 7, there is a 10 bag per-property limit, which expands to 20 for fall leaf season starting on Monday, Oct. 7. Each bag must weigh less than 50 pounds.
Branches, tree limbs and brush are collected at the curb but must be under 4' in length. Brush and branches can be tied together in a bundle with natural twine not exceeding 18" in diameter. Individual tree limbs must not exceed 6" in diameter.
Participating residents must place their compostable material at the curb before 7 a.m. on their weekly waste collection day — allowing at least 3 feet between each cart with clearance from any obstacles overhead. Carts should not be placed in lanes of travel, either roads or bike lanes, instead using yard extensions or buffer zones as directed.
Dumping yard trimmings/waste in parks or other public places is not allowed. Please make use of the drop-off facility mentioned below.
Preparing compost
Make sure to prepare your
compost properly to avoid odors.
For winter composting, the colder temperatures mean changing up how to put material in carts. Our
winter composting page has all the tips and tricks that may help.
Compost facility: yard material, drop-off, sales
Ann Arbor's compost facility is located at 4170 Platt Road. The facility is operated by WeCare Denali, normally open weekdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturdays between April 13 and June 29, 7 a.m.–11 a.m. To drop-off or purchase, visitors must utilize the automated scale system, which for contractors includes weighing in and out. Residents need only to weigh in, and may use the bypass lane to exit, skipping weighing out.
Residents can deliver 1 cubic yard per household per day of acceptable yard trimmings and food waste, at no charge, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m., with a valid driver’s license showing a city address.
Acceptable drop-off materials include:
- Grass, leaves, other vegetation – must be clean and free of brush/wood
- Mixed yard trimmings/brush/pallets (no plywood or OSB)
- Wood chips – must be clean
- Food waste
- Branches up to 6 inches in diameter, and up to 4 feet in length
Materials for sale include:
- Compost
- Natural wood mulch
- Pallet mulch
- Woodchips
Payments may be made by check or credit card only. Please call WeCare Denali at 410-849-6117 for current fees and pricing. No cash accepted.
Unlimited drop off for leaves
The Ann Arbor compost facility will accept unlimited leaf drop offs from residents or their landscapers beginning Oct. 7 for the fall 2024 season. To drop off, visitors must provide verification of Ann Arbor residency. Leaves from properties outside the city of Ann Arbor do not qualify for this free service.
Free wood chips
Free wood chips are available through November, 2024, or while supplies last, for residents at four locations around the city, while supplies last. Staff are not available to load or haul materials.
Locations for free wood chip pickup:
- Veterans Memorial Park, 2150 Jackson Ave.
- Allmendinger Park, which is located on Pauline Boulevard between Hutchins and Edgewood Avenue.
- Bicentennial Park (formerly Southeast Area Park), which is located at the corner of Ellsworth Road and Platt Road.
Dealing with yard material at home
Check out our tips page for suggestions on how to deal with yard material and ideas for those who want to explore alternatives to disposing of compost material at the curb.
