Archived News Release: March 24, 2022 - The weekly curbside collection of compostable material in the city of Ann Arbor resumes Monday, April 4, 2022, on regular collection days. Compost season runs through Friday, Dec. 9, 2022.
Residents can take advantage of curbside composting service by utilizing compost carts, paper yard bags or by bundling larger branches/brush for pick up at the curb or yard extension. Residents can also drop off these same materials to the compost facility (see below for drop-off procedures and hours of operation).
Acceptable compost material includes:
Plate scrapings and food waste (including meat and bones)*
Bamboo dinnerware*
Grass clippings*
Wood chips
BPI certified compostable bags, containers, silverware, etc.
Leave s an d 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.
*Food waste, bamboo ware and grass clippings must be placed in compost carts. Single-family residential properties can get one FREE 64- or 96-gallon compost cart by contacting customer service at 734.994.7336 or
[email protected]. Pick up is free, or one can be delivered for $59; additional carts are available for a fee. Visit
www.a2gov.org/compost for sizes and prices.
Paper yard bags and bundled brush/tree limbs
Paper yard bags may be used for yard trimmings such as leaves, weeds and other vegetation . Bundled brush or tree limbs, 4 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 less 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, composters, who can, are encouraged to take advantage of carts. If you must use paper yard bags, don't overload them. If you can't lift it comfortably, neither can city staff.
Participating residents must place their compostables 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. If there is a bike lane, carts must be placed on the lawn extension (the area between the road and the sidewalk or at the edge of your yard next to the street) instead.
These items are prohibited from compost carts and yard waste bags:
Plastic bags or containers
Trash and recyclables
Dirt, rocks, stones or gravel
Sawdust
Branches 6 inches in diameter or over 4 feet in length
Painted or treated wood
Animal waste or cat litter
Tree stumps
Diapers
As a reminder, please note that yard trimmings should not be placed in parks because they may smother and kill plants they cover, disrupt normal decomposition processes, or introduce non-native plants to the area.
Yard material drop-off, sales and free compost
TheAnn Arbor compost facility is located at 4170 Platt Road. The facility is operated by WeCare Denali, and is open weekdays 7 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturdays between April and June, 7 a.m.–11 am. To drop off, purchase or obtain free compost, visitors must use the new automated scale system, which includes weighing in and out.
Ann Arbor residents may deliver 1 cubic yard (approximately three paper yard bags) per household, per day of acceptable yard trimmings and food waste, at no charge, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. A driver's license with a valid city address is required for this free service. At the scale, choose material type, inbound yard trimmings or inbound food waste as appropriate.
Using the automated scale system
All material transactions (pickup and drop off) require vehicle to drive onto the scale. Wait to enter the inbound scale until clear of all vehicles.
Approach scale kiosk and using the directions, scan your driver's license . Remember to choose the type of material you are picking up or dropping off, yard trimmings or food waste. Take the printed QR code ticket before leaving, as it is required to exit the outbound scale.
Follow the signs and proceed to the compost facility to drop off or pickup materials. If you are purchasing material, that will be done inside the Compost Center.
To leave, weigh out via the outbound scale. Wait to enter the outbound scale until clear of all vehicles. All material transactions (pickup and drop off ) require vehicle to exit via scale.
Approach kiosk and scan QR ticket provided in step 2 during scale entry. Follow kiosk instructions and complete transaction.
Materials for sale include:
Compost
Natural wood mulch
Pallet mulch
Woodchips
Payments may be made by check or credit card only. Please visit WeCare Denali, or call 734.794.6380, for current fees and pricing. No cash accepted.
Free compost
Free compost, up to one cubic yard, is available, for a limited time, to Ann Arbor residents. This material is located within the compost facility and can be picked up on Saturdays only, 7 a.m.–11 a.m. between April 15 and July 4, or while supplies last. In order to obtain free compost, a valid city of Ann Arbor driver's license is required. The limit is 1 cubic yard of compost per household, this is the equivalent of approximately three paper yard bags. At the scale, enter material type, outbound compost resident free or outbound mulch resident free.
Free compost is a self-loading program, therefore each resident must bring their own shovel and containers they may need.
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