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County accepts federal pilot grant to test food‑waste composting at three sites
Summary
Washtenaw County accepted a grant to run a three‑site pilot for food‑waste and compostable paper collection for residents, with demonstration sites in Ypsilanti, Dexter and Salem Township. The pilot is designed to test participation, logistics and hauling partnerships; county will fund modest follow‑up costs through the materials‑management fund.
Washtenaw County accepted a federal grant and authorized a pilot program to provide three resident drop‑off pilot sites for food‑waste and compostable paper collection.
Pilot design and partners County water resources staff said the program will establish three pilot drop‑off locations: the Washtenaw County Public Health building in Ypsilanti, a site in Dexter and a site in Salem Township. The county has contracted with a private compost services firm, My Green Michigan, to collect material and transport it to an established compost facility in Wixom for processing. The grant is fully funded for the pilot period; the county agreed to cover residual costs that exceed the grant through the county’s waste‑management (tipping fee) fund.
Why it matters County staff said 20–25% of landfill volume is organics and compostable paper; increasing diversion of organics is a major lever for reducing landfill volumes and meeting the county’s forthcoming materials‑management plan. The pilot is one of three in the U.S. awarded the same grant; staff said the county will use results to evaluate broader curbside or hauler models.
Operational and access notes Staff described preregistration, managed drop‑off and hauling logistics; residents will have to register for access during the pilot. The county said it will evaluate participation rates, hauling efficiencies, contamination rates and cost per ton to inform future policy choices.
Ending Commissioners voted to accept the grant and the pilot; staff said they will report pilot results and recommended next steps in 2026 as part of the materials‑management planning process.
