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Farmington council approves curbside food-waste collection and MOU with Wixom compost facility
Summary
After a presentation showing more than 19,000 pounds diverted in a pilot, Farmington council unanimously amended its curbside agreement to allow Waste Management to collect food waste and approved an MOU with SPURT Industries to accept the material for composting through at least June 30, 2027.
Farmington’s City Council voted unanimously to amend its curbside service agreement to allow Waste Management to collect food waste with yard waste and approved a memorandum of understanding with SPURT Industries of Wixom to accept the material for composting.
The council’s vote followed a presentation from a materials-management representative who described a pilot at the Pavilion and said the program diverted "more than 19,000 pounds of food waste" from landfills last year and that survey results showed broad community support. "Ninety-eight percent of the community thought that diverting material from a landfill into composting was important," he said, citing local survey data.
Why it matters: The change adds food waste to the list of acceptable materials in the city’s yard-waste specification and creates a destination for mixed organics, which officials said will reduce landfill intake and provide composting feedstock. The presenter said the city intends to continue the curbside option at least through June 30, 2027, pending authority budget approvals.
Council discussion focused on logistics and nuisance concerns. Council members asked whether mixing food with leaves and grass would cause odor or rodent problems and whether residents should use specific containers or biodegradable liners. The presenter said multiple communities, including Ann Arbor and Wixom, mix food with yard waste without major complaints and recommended flexible options for residents: "If you have yard waste, just mix your food waste in it — make it easy on yourselves," he said.
The motion, made and seconded from the dais, asked the city to amend its curbside agreement with Waste Management and to approve a memorandum of understanding with SPURT Industries to accept mixed organics collected curbside. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried unanimously.
What’s next: City staff and the contractor will finalize implementation details and public-education materials, including biodegradable liners and outreach at the farmers market and on the city website. The presenter said the partners will provide collateral the city can adapt for local use.
Quote: "More than 19,000 pounds of food waste were diverted from the landfills through that pilot project last year," the presenter said. "People really like the program and want to see it continued."
