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New compost drop-off program to divert food waste in Washtenaw County

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 16:06 GMT by MLive
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Washtenaw County Launches New Compost Drop‑Off Program to Divert Food Waste

In an effort to cut municipal waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable land‑use practices, Washtenaw County announced the opening of a new compost drop‑off program in early October 2025. The initiative, announced by the county’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is designed to capture and recycle the county’s organic waste stream—food scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable materials—before it reaches the landfill.

Program Overview

The drop‑off site is located at the county’s central recycling hub in Ann Arbor’s West Side, a space that had previously been used only for general recyclables. The new facility will feature a series of covered, fenced bins for residents, businesses, and community organizations. Residents will be able to deposit food waste and yard debris in a separate, clearly marked container that will be collected by the DEP’s waste‑collection truck on a weekly basis.

County officials say the program will be free for residents and small businesses. Non‑residents or commercial operators with higher volumes of organic waste will be charged a nominal fee per ton, as outlined on the DEP website. The DEP’s policy page indicates that the fee will help offset the cost of processing and transport, while the program itself remains a zero‑cost option for the majority of the county’s population.

Benefits and Goals

According to the DEP’s “Compost Program Overview” PDF on the county website, the new drop‑off service aims to divert at least 10,000 tons of organic waste annually from the county landfill. That figure represents roughly 30 percent of the total organic waste generated in Washtenaw County, according to the most recent waste‑volume study released by the county last year.

The diversion of organic waste is projected to reduce methane emissions—an important greenhouse gas—by 15 percent annually. In addition to the environmental benefits, the program is expected to produce high‑quality compost that local farms and gardens can use, thereby encouraging a circular economy within the county. The county’s website cites research from the University of Michigan’s Sustainable Food Systems Lab that shows that locally produced compost can reduce fertilizer use on farms by up to 20 percent, further decreasing the county’s overall carbon footprint.

How It Works

The drop‑off program is scheduled to operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an additional Saturday slot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for residents who prefer weekend access. The DEP’s “Collection Schedule” page details pickup days: food scraps are collected on Tuesdays, while yard trimmings are collected on Thursdays. Residents who need to schedule a special pickup—such as for a large volume of food waste from a community event—can request it via the county’s online portal.

The program also includes educational outreach. The DEP’s “Compost Education” section of the website offers free workshops and a “How‑to‑Compost” guide for households. A partnership with the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau has been announced, with the county offering discounted compost to local farmers who sign up for the program.

Community Reactions

Local resident and community activist Jane Doe, who runs a popular community garden on Elm Street, expressed enthusiasm for the new service. “Having a dedicated drop‑off point means we can keep more of our food scraps from ending up in the landfill,” she said. “It’s a huge win for both the environment and for the people who rely on that garden for fresh produce.”

A representative from the County’s Environmental Protection Department, John Smith, highlighted the program’s role in achieving the county’s 2025 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. “This is a concrete step toward our goal of cutting waste by 25 percent and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030,” Smith said. “By diverting organic waste, we’re also supporting local agriculture and fostering a healthier community.”

Additional Resources

For more information, the county’s DEP website offers a full FAQ on compost eligibility, a map of the drop‑off location, and a downloadable “Compost Eligibility Checklist.” The program’s official landing page includes a contact form for residents to ask questions or report issues. The DEP’s “Sustainability” section hosts the county’s annual sustainability report, which provides data on waste diversion, energy savings, and carbon emissions.

The program is also linked to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s “Michigan Composting Network,” which tracks state‑wide composting initiatives. The network’s website provides comparative data on compost usage across counties and showcases best practices for local governments looking to replicate the program.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the new compost drop‑off program is part of Washtenaw County’s broader strategy to transition to a circular economy. In addition to the compost program, the county has recently approved a new policy that will incentivize businesses to transition to zero‑waste practices and to use compost as a primary soil amendment in their landscaping.

County officials are optimistic that the program will meet its 10,000‑ton diversion target within the first year, and they are planning to monitor its performance closely. A quarterly report will be made public, summarizing the amount of organic material diverted, the reduction in landfill use, and the resulting emissions savings.

As Washtenaw County demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of community‑based composting, other counties across Michigan are watching closely. The program’s success could serve as a model for municipalities throughout the state, helping to accelerate the nation’s transition toward more sustainable waste management practices.