New Program Combines Food Scraps and Yard Waste for Free Service

East Grand Rapids, Mich. — The City of East Grand Rapids is launching a new curbside composting service that will combine food scraps with yard waste to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardens.

The program begins April 6 and will be offered at no cost to all residents in the city. The service will accept a variety of organic materials including fruits, vegetables, pits, peels, nuts and shells, bread, grains, pasta, rice, coffee grounds and other natural vegetation materials.

Yard waste materials accepted include leaves, grass clippings, weeds, twigs, bush clippings and other natural yard vegetation.

Commitment to Sustainability

The expanded curbside service comes after the city implemented a food scrap drop-off program beginning in 2022. This initial program allowed residents to bring compostable materials to the Department of Public Works for no cost.

"This new composting program is the next step forward, making it easier for residents to take part in reducing organic waste and supporting a cleaner, greener community," said Doug La Fave, deputy city manager and director of Public Works.

East Grand Rapids has been recognized as a leader in sustainability and recycling for many years. The city continues to expand these programs to reduce organic waste going to landfills and create soil that can be used to support gardens.

Community Impact

Composting breaks down organic material into soil and nutrient-dense decaying matter, keeping waste out of landfills and creating a resource that can benefit local gardens and landscapes.

"The City of East Grand Rapids is proud to offer this new curbside composting service and offer a convenient way for residents to help keep food and yard waste out of the landfill," East Grand Rapids Mayor Katie Favale said in a statement. "This expanded program demonstrates our longstanding commitment to the sustainability and long-term health of our community, supports our regional waste reduction goals and highlights our dedication to being good stewards of our environment."

Drop-Off Service Still Available

The city continues to offer a drop-off service at its 24/7 Public Works complex. This facility accepts a broader range of materials than the curbside service, including meat, fish, dairy and other food waste as well as coffee filters, paper towels, napkins, tea bags, pizza boxes, paper containers, paper plates, and shredded paper.

Residents can remove tape and cut cardboard into small pieces before dropping off these materials.

The new curbside composting service represents another step in East Grand Rapids' ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and waste reduction.