Detroit residents can now register for the city’s first-ever composting pilot.

The Compost Pilot Program, funded by a one-year, $100,000 grant from Carhartt, will launch Aug. 21 via a partnership with Doers Edge, the city’s Department of Public Works, Scrap Soils, and community farms. The effort will divert food waste from landfills, improve soil health, and lay the groundwork for a citywide composting system, according to the city’s Office of Sustainability.

The first 200 residents to enroll in the pilot will receive a free five-gallon composting bucket for fruit and vegetable scraps, small bones, eggshells, plate scrapings, napkins, food-soiled paper products, coffee grounds and used paper towels. Sign up here.

The Detroit People’s Food Co-op will serve as the central drop-off partner for participating households. Once dropped off, the approved food scraps will be processed by an on-site composter. The material will then be transported to local farms to help grow food, enrich soil, and support sustainable agriculture in Detroit. Further instructions and educational resources will be shared with participants who enroll. 

“By turning scraps into nutrient-rich soil, we’re not only reducing what ends up in landfills – we’re creating a circular system that supports local forms, healthier neighborhoods, and sustainable food production,” Patrice Brown, deputy director of urban agriculture for the city’s Office of Sustainability, said in a Thursday news release. “We’re proud to support residents with the tools and knowledge to be part of this change.”   

Related:

• New community composting project to launch in Detroit
• A robot is helping turn food waste into compost in Detroit
• Composting in Detroit gets a boost from the Philippines

A significant portion of edible, nutrient-dense food is discarded, contributing to Detroit’s challenges — 69% of Detroit households experience food insecurity.

The pilot aims to divert up to 220 pounds of food scraps each day — an estimated 80,080 pounds annually. The city’s Urban Agriculture Division will track the total waste diverted and share data with DPW’s Solid Waste Division. Monthly reports will also be compiled to track participation and collected waste. 

“Composting gives us a special opportunity to turn the problem of unmanaged food waste into the solution,” Liana Li, co-founder and COO of Scrap Soils, added in a news release. 

The pilot supports Michigan’s 2030 statewide goal of diverting 50% of food waste from landfills. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food waste is also a major contributor to landfill volume and methane emissions. Composting uneaten food allows its nutrients to be recycled back into the soil, helping to lower the carbon footprint and support urban farms and food sovereignty.

The program paves the way for a citywide composting system, which would begin with multiple drop-off sites and work toward an expansion to include curbside pickup.