Recycle Ann Arbor

MRF Materials Recovery Facility - Recycle Ann Arbor RAA provides contract services to the City of Ann Arbor and other communities and haulers at the Materials Recovery Facility. RAA accepts all the recycling material collected by the City of Ann Arbor and processes materials on site to be sold as raw materials for new products. The Recycle Ann Arbor MRF incorporates optics, AI technology and robotics to optimize mechanical recycling of materials. In 2022, RAA exceeded overall tonnage projections by over 15. Not a single load of sorted recyclables was rejected. We were able to move all material in a timely manner, through both high and low market conditions. Less than 12 of all material that was shipped from MRF was disposed of. This compares to a national average residual rate of about 25-35.

Curbside Collections - To provide weekly curbside recycling collection services to the single-family, multi-family, and some small commercial units within the City of Ann Arbor and deliver those materials for ultimate production into new materials, as an environmentally preferable alternative to landfilling. In 2022, the Collections team continued a very comprehensive data collection effort for all services provided for the City of Ann Arbor in preparation for contract negotiations, possible rerouting and to improve customer service experience for those participating in the City recycling collection program. The Collections team also rolled out several departmental policies and procedures including new daily procedures and pre- and post- trip vehicle inspections training to ensure the safety and longevity of RAAs truck fleet.

Drop-Off Station DOS, Recovery Yard, and Trucking Services - DOS To provide a convenient and accessible location to the community for the recycling of both curbside and hard-to-recycle items, as an environmentally preferable alternative to landfilling or illegal dumping. In 2022, RAA developed new maintenance and reporting programs to minimize repair and maintenance expenses, and created a new training program and matrix for all new and existing DOS staff, ensuring depth and flexibility. Recovery Yard To provide recycling of construction and demolition materials from businesses, as an environmentally preferable alternative to landfilling. Trucking Services Hauling of construction and demolition materials from businesses. In 2022, RAA worked on diversification of revenue streams and evaluation of finances at the CD Recovery Yard to identify performance indicators and point to needed changes in the business model and pricing structure to establish stability. It also worked on safety compliance and made several changes and upgrades to its site for employee and customer safety.