Ann Arbor Zero Waste Guide
Find out how you can reduce waste in Ann Arbor and participate in the reuse and sharing economy
The land the City of Ann Arbor occupies is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg - including Odawa, Ojibwe and Boodewadomi - and Wyandot peoples.
Your Zero Waste Survival Kit
Carrying these items opens up countless zero waste opportunities. Most can be found at home or secondhand shops - some you can even make yourself!
1.
Tupperware or Food Container
Essential for to-go food, leftovers, or getting things from a deli counter
2
Bag
3.
Cloth Napkin
4.
Cutlery
5.
Bottle or Mug
Buy Used
New Isn't Necessary
Purchasing secondhand items - especially big-ticket items like furniture and cars - eliminates demand for new production while saving money and supporting your neighbors.
Shop Second Hand
Before buying anything new, ask yourself: "Can I get this secondhand?"
Best places to look:
Local thrift stores
Estate Sales
Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist Ann Arbor
Garage Sales
Join the Gift Economy
Participate in sharing and gifting networks to reduce consumption. Any time you are able to give or take from a network you've successfully avoided a purchase!
Choose Refurbished Tech
Electronics are incredibly easy to buy used or refurbished with massive environmental benefits.
Try Back Market, eBay, or local computer stores.
Groceries
Food shopping presents the most packaging challenges, but with the right approach, you can dramatically reduce waste, often while saving money.
Backyard Composting
If you have an outdoor space you can start your own compost pile or bin. It's the best way to divert your food waste, make rich soil.
Easy to use components and styles that are designed for consistency, customizability and speed
Connect with a Neighbor
If you don't have access to a compost cart, use the new MakeSoil app to find a place to compost.
Curbside
Single family residences can get 1 free 64 gallon compost cart! Check if you can get a brown compost cart for curbside collection.
Repair
Help Your Stuff Live Longer
Repairing items - especially electronics and large appliances - prevents the need to extract new resources and often saves you a lot of money.
Fix Your Electronics
Electronics have massive environmental impacts. Manufacturing a new laptop creates around 250X its weight in CO2. Repair before replacing!
Tool Sharing
Save money by not buying tools you'll rarely use. Share with neighbors instead! Here are some resources for borrowing stuff:
Electronics Recycling
When electronics are truly beyond repair, it's important to recycle them properly.
Local Resources
A few more places to find great information about zero waste
County Trash To Treasures Guide
Complete resource for renting, repairing, donating, or recycling your items throughout Washtenaw County.
A to Z Recycling Guide
Recycle Ann Arbor's comprehensive guide to what can be recycled and where.
UMich Campus Sustainability
University of Michigan waste reduction programs and campus composting initiatives.
Library Stuff Collection
Discover what you can borrow from the library instead of buying - from tools to musical instruments.
