Archived News Release: March 22, 2024 - The City of Ann Arbor will restart weekly curbside compost collection on Monday, April 1, 2024, running until early December. This year, there are new rules for what can go in the compost stream. Only CMA-W certified compostable fiber products will be accepted. Products marked only as BPI certified, as well as bamboo or palm leaf materials, are no longer allowed. Details about these changes are available at www.a2gov.org/compost.
Residents can participate in curbside composting by using compost carts, paper yard bags or bundling larger branches/brush for pick up. They can also drop off these materials, up to one cubic yard, at the Ann Arbor compost facility for free (details follow).
Single-family residential properties can receive one FREE 64- or 96-gallon compost cart by contacting Ann Arbor customer service at 734.994.7336 or [email protected]. Pick up is free, or delivery can be arranged for $59; additional carts are available for a fee.
Complete information on cart fees, allowed compost materials, paper yard bags, as well as bag limits, are available at www.a2gov.org/compost.
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 October, there is a 10 bag per-property limit, which expands to 20 for fall leaf season starting in October. Each bag must weigh less than 50 pounds. Bundled brush or tree limbs, 4 feet or less, can be tied with natural twine in bundles up to 18 inches in diameter, and left at the curb for pickup. Individual tree limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter.
Compostables must be placed at the curb before 7 a.m. on the weekly waste collection day, with at least 3 feet between each cart and clearance from any overhead obstacles. On narrow streets, carts must be placed on lawn extensions. Properties on streets with various types of bike lanes will have different placement requirements for their carts. Visit www.a2gov.org/solidwaste for details.
Yard trimmings/waste should not be placed in parks, as they may harm plants, disrupt decomposition processes or introduce non-native plants.
Ann Arbor Compost Facility for material drop off, sales and free compost/mulch
The Ann Arbor compost facility, operated by WeCare Denali, is located at 4170 Platt Road. It is open weekdays 7 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturdays between April 13 and June 29, 7 a.m.–11 a.m. 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.
To obtain free compost, residents can visit the compost facility on Saturdays only, 7 a.m.–11 a.m. between April 13 and June 29, or while supplies last. They need to bring a valid driver's license with a city of Ann Arbor address. The limit is 1 cubic yard of compost and/or mulch per household, equivalent to about three paper yard bags. Residents must bring their own shovel and containers for loading.
For more information on the Ann Arbor compost program, visit a2gov.org/compost.
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