At its March 16 meeting, Farmington City Council unanimously approved the addition of food waste recycling to the city’s existing yard waste collection program. The enhanced program will begin the week of April 6.

This new initiative allows residents to place household food scraps directly into their yard waste containers for weekly curbside pickup. Instead of sending organic materials to landfills, where they generate harmful greenhouse gases, residents can now help transform these materials into nutrient-rich compost used in gardens, landscaping, and city projects.

Michael Csapo, General Manager of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC), presented the proposal to City Council. Csapo noted that food is the single largest category of material found in U.S. landfills. Once buried, it breaks down into potent gases such as methane. By composting food scraps alongside yard waste, the city will help reduce emissions while producing a valuable soil amendment.

“Feel good about doing your part,” Csapo said, emphasizing the environmental benefits of the program.

A Proven Model for Success
The City of Farmington previously partnered with RRRASOC and My Green Michigan in a Food Waste Pilot Program launched in fall 2025. The pilot, staged at Riley Park, operated successfully through fall and winter. Since the start of the program, residents diverted nearly 22,000 pounds of food waste from landfills.  Last year, the City’s overall recycling rate of 49.3 percent—significantly higher than the Michigan average of 25 percent and the national rate of 32 percent. The program demonstrated strong community participation and measurable environmental impact.

How Residents Can Participate
The process begins at home. Residents can collect food scraps in the kitchen and add them to their yard waste container or paper yard waste bags.

For residents who live in apartments or outside the curbside collection area, food scrap bins will continue to be available at Riley Park in downtown Farmington, 33113 Grand River Ave. Biodegradable bags for storing and transporting food scraps are available at Farmington City Hall.

Accepted food scraps include:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Dairy products
• Meat, bones, and eggshells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea leaves and tea bags
• Breads, grains, and spoiled food

Keeping contaminants out of the compost stream ensures a clean, high-quality finished product.

Where the Material Goes
Farmington’s curbside contractor, WM, currently transports collected yard waste to the Spurt composting facility in Wixom. WM has agreed to include food waste with Farmington’s yard waste deliveries, and Spurt has confirmed it will accept the combined material.