THE WEEKLY CURBSIDE collection of residential compostables in the City of Ann Arbor resumed Monday, March 30, 2015, on regular curbside trash collection days. Curbside collection will end for the season Friday, Dec. 4.
The compost program accepts yard trimmings such as leaves, plants, garden debris, twigs and branches up to 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length. Ann Arbor residents using optional compost carts (details below) may also place grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, branches under 6 inches, leaves and plate scrapings (including meat and bones) inside the carts for municipal collection.
Participating residents must place their compostables at the curb before 7 a.m. on their weekly waste collection day — and allow at least 3 feet between each cart.
Kitchen Composters
Composting recently expanded to include plate scrapings — including meat, bones and other food leftovers; and cart owners are eligible for a free kitchen composter. To help get plate scrapings from the kitchen to the cart, compost cart owners qualify for a free 1.9-gallon kitchen composter. This attractive unit — designed to fit on an average kitchen countertop — conveniently collects plate scrapings without having to take dishes to the cart. The unit is dishwasher safe, comes with an ergonomic handle, a vented lid and has a locking lid designed to stay closed even if it falls from the counter. Compost cart owners can place all “plate scrapings” into the compost cart.
If you would like to use a bag liner in your kitchen composter, only BPI-certified compostable bags may be used and are available for $2 per box at Larcom City Hall in the first-floor customer service center, 301 E. Huron St., during weekday business hours. Bags can also be purchased at local stores or online. Please do not use or place regular plastic bags in your kitchen composter or compost cart, or your cart may be rejected.
Compost Carts
The city sells authorized, municipal 96- and 64-gallon compost carts for a one-time price of $25 each (same price for any size). Residents may purchase compost carts from the city’s customer service center. An online summary of the city’s compost, recycling and trash cart collection options is posted at www.a2gov.org/carts.
Compost/Paper Yard Bags
In addition to purchasing a city-approved compost cart, residents may use paper yard waste bags (available from local retailers). Brush and tree limbs (up to 6 inches in diameter) may be tied into bundles up to 18 inches in diameter. Each bag or bundle of compostables has a maximum weight of 50 pounds. Paper yard waste bags with food scraps or grass clippings are not allowed outside of a compost cart in order to avoid attracting wildlife, generating odors, or creating unsafe conditions from wet, overweight, or broken paper bags at the curb. The compost program does not accept plastic bags, trash, stones, dirt, sod, animal waste, or logs over 6 inches in diameter.
Compost and Mulch
Free for Ann Arbor residents, only: Compost or mulch is available on Saturdays, April 18 through June 27, 2015, from 8 a.m. to noon, while supplies last. Residents drive to the scale house at 4150 Platt Road and provide proof of Ann Arbor city residency — a recent water bill or driver’s license. The scale house operator will then direct residents to the location of the free compost and mulch. Limit is 6 bushels (or 1 cubic yard) per household of compost, mulch, or any combination thereof per year. Residents must bring their own shovel and containers.
For sale: Bulk municipal compost and mulch are available for sale year round from the Ann Arbor Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road, Ann Arbor 48108, 734.489.4518, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Compost Center is also open on spring Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon during April, May and June. Mechanically-loaded cured and screened municipal compost and mulch are sold for $18/cubic yard (plus tax), minimum two cubic yards per visit, while supplies are available. Customers may pay by check or credit card; no cash is accepted. Compost delivery is also available. For pricing and scheduling, please call Don Butynski with We Care Organics at 734.489.4518.
The Drop-Off Station (DOS) is open three days per week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (non holidays). Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted at this location. The $3 DOS entry fee is waived for customers only purchasing compost, woodchips or mulch. Please call the DOS for current rates or check www.recycleannarbor.org.
For 24-hour information on the city’s compost operations, more details on the expanded fruit and vegetable materials accepted for seasonal collection, and compost cart sales, call please 99.GREEN (734.994.7336) or visit www.a2gov.org/compost.