Recycling Tip for Better Results: Food Waste and Fall Leaves
November 22nd, 2021
The chill of November often evokes thoughts of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and the end of the growing season in Michigan. During this month, food waste and fall leaves (yard waste) abound! It's important to remember that food waste and yard waste are distinct waste streams from recycling, and therefore, they require different disposal methods.
Why can’t I put food waste or yard waste into the recycling cart?
- Food waste and yard waste are classified as organic materials (not recyclable materials) that can decompose into nutrient-rich compost. When compostable items are placed in the recycling cart, they contaminate the recycling stream, which should be clean, residue-free, and consist only of items that can be recycled curbside (such as paper, plastics, glass, etc). When recycling a food container, all food must be removed before placing the empty packaging in the recycling cart.
If I can’t put it into the recycling cart, where can it go?
- Food Waste: To minimize food waste, try to purchase only what you need. However, leftovers or food scraps are often unavoidable, so there are opportunities to compost food waste rather than landfill it. The City of Ann Arbor* provides seasonal curbside compost collection for residents. This service allows residents to place food waste (including meat, bones, dairy, and vegetable and fruit scraps) in a specially designated cart for collection. You can also start your own backyard compost pile to manage certain types of food waste.
- Yard Waste: Ann Arbor offers multiple options for disposing of yard waste, including fall leaves. Residents can use large paper bags to collect their leaves at the curb or place yard waste in the City of Ann Arbor compost carts. Additionally, the Drop-Off Station (DOS) located at 2950 E. Ellsworth Rd. and the City of Ann Arbor’s Compost Center located at 4150 Platt Rd., accept yard waste from customer drop-offs. You can also choose to add leaves to your own backyard compost pile to manage yard waste.
*Recycle Ann Arbor does not manage the City of Ann Arbor’s compost program. Refer to www.a2gov.org/compost for full details about the City of Ann Arbor’s compost program.