This month, we're talking about organics management in RRRASOC communities! Whether you're interested in composting, reducing your food waste, or simply looking to find more info regarding your community's yard waste guidelines, we're covering it all in this informative e-newsletter.

Getting Started

Choose a location. You’ll want your compost pile to be easily accessible and near your garden. Avoid low-lying areas.

Build a bin out of chicken wire, old pallets, or buy one from a landscape supply store.

Whatever container you choose, make sure it has plenty of holes for aeration.

Basic Formula

50% Brown (Carbon) Materials: dried leaves, twigs, straw.

25% Green (Nitrogen) Materials: Fresh grass, green leaves, fruit and veggies, coffee grounds.

25% Soil: Introduces the decomposing organisms to the compost pile.

Water: Keep the pile moist.

Assembly

Layer the Brown, Green, and Soil. Add Water to dampen as you build your pile. Continue layering to build your pile until it is 3-4ft. high.

Turn your compost pile once a week to speed up the decomposition process. It should have an earthy smell when done properly. If your pile is creating odors, add more Brown material.

For more information on composting in RRRASOC communities, visit our Composting page or check out our Healthy Lawn & Garden Flyer.

Food scraps and leftovers are often one of the more difficult forms of waste to dispose of properly. When it gets put in the garbage, it goes to a landfill where it will create methane, a harmful, potent greenhouse gas. And we definitely don't want them tossed in with your recyclables! While many community members are moving toward composting their food scraps in their backyard (see the article above), not everyone has the time or space to do so. That leaves many of us with a big question: "Where should it go?"

Read on to learn how to reduce food waste before it enters your kitchen, as well as how to properly divert it from the landfill as a mindful RRRASOC community member.

Before You Buy

Make a list of the groceries you're shopping for, and stick to that list as you go. Avoid buying extra food that may not be eaten in your household, as perishables such as meat, fruit, and veggies can only be stored in the refrigerator for a certain amount of time before they spoil.

If you're planning for a large dinner (such as a cookout, Thanksgiving, a family reunion, etc.), be sure to utilize one of our favorite food calculators: the Guestimator! This handy web tool provides accurate information regarding how much food you should prepare depending on the type and quantity of guests you're expecting.

Donations & Drop-Offs

Some food can be donated to a local charitable cause, such as a food pantry or community kitchen, where it is dispersed to those in need. These types of food normally involve boxed, canned, or dry goods. There is a growing list of local organizations who accept excess food on the Recycling Directory, available at RRRASOC.org. Simply type in "food scraps" to find one near you!

Leftovers, food waste, and food scraps can be dropped off at certain composting facilities to be properly diverted from the landfill and turned into beneficial compost. These facilities include Spurt Industries and Tuthill Farms. Businesses are also encouraged to explore plans through MyGreenMI, Make Food Not Waste, and CoSustainability for food scraps management.

In 1995, Michigan banned yard waste from entering landfills. Now, when yard waste trucks collect your grass trimmings, sticks, and leaves from the curb, they are delivered to a local site where they're composted into a beneficial resource and used for landscaping projects. Your yard waste needs oxygen in order to decompose, so large machines at the composting sites turn the compost piles to ensure proper air circulation.

The following yard waste set-out rules apply to all RRRASOC communities:

• Grass and leaves should be put into paper yard waste bags or trash cans labeled with a yard waste sticker.
• Branches may be no longer than 4′ and no thicker than 6″ in diameter and must be bundled.
• No logs, stumps, dirt, or rocks will be accepted.

You can find links to your specific community's yard waste pickup schedule on our FAQ page. For more yard waste information, visit our Yard Waste page.

During the following HHW Collection Events, all residents of RRRASOC member communities are welcome to bring household hazardous waste for an opportunity to safely discard their hazardous items and e-waste. Simple Recycling and paper shredding services will also be available*.

July 12, 2025 👕

Wixom Dept. of Public Works

2041 Charms Rd., Wixom

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 4, 2025

Novi Dept. of Public Works

26300 Lee BeGole Dr., Novi

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 25, 2025 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

*The T-shirt icon indicates an HHW Collection Event during which clothing, shoes, accessories, and small household items will be accepted by Simple Recycling.

For more information about HHW events and how to prepare your items, please visit our HHW page.

If you have HHW that you'd like to properly dispose of between collection events, you're in luck! Drop off your HHW without a fee at ERG Environmental Services during the following hours:

Monday - Friday:

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Not sure what to do with stuff?

Visit rrrasoc.org and use the Recycling Directory search bar to type in keywords and get recycling, composting, reuse or disposal instructions.

The searchable, intuitive format of the Recycling Directory provides RRRASOC specific information.

Also Available:

Mobile App

• From your App Store or Google Play, search for "Recycling Authority"

Want more tips, tricks, and updates about recycling? We have a Facebook page where we can reach each other to make recycling easier. You can also reach us via RRRASOC.org and email at education@rrrasoc.org!

RRRASOC - Recycling Authority | 248-208-2270 | rrrasoc.org