• Detroit’s Office of Sustainability is launching a Compost Pilot Program to cut food waste, improve soil health, and support local food production.
• Funded by a one-year, $100,000 Carhartt grant, the program partners with Doers Edge, Scrap Soils, and local farms.
• The first 200 residents to register and complete a sign-up form will receive a free 5-gallon compost bucket and optional countertop bin.
• The pilot aims to divert up to 220 lbs of food scraps daily—about 80,080 lbs annually. 
   

The City of Detroit’s Office of Sustainability is excited to launch its first-ever Compost Pilot Program, starting August 21. Funded by a one-year, $100,000 grant from Carhartt, the program brings together partners including Doers Edge, the City’s Department of Public Works, Scrap Soils, and community farms to divert food waste from landfills, improve soil health, and lay the groundwork for a citywide composting system.

Detroit residents can now register to participate in the Community Compost Pilot Program by completing a sign-up form. The first 200 residents to enroll will receive a free 5-gallon composting bucket for approved compostable materials, including fruit and vegetable scraps, small bones, eggshells, plate scrapings, napkins, food-soiled paper products, coffee grounds, and used paper towels.

The Detroit People’s Food Co-op will serve as the central drop-off partner for participating households. Drop-off instructions and educational resources will be shared directly with enrolled participants.

“The pilot is an exciting step forward in how Detroit manages food waste and invests in our communities. 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. We’re proud to support residents with the tools and knowledge to be part of this change,” said Patrice Brown, Deputy Director of Urban Agriculture, City of Detroit Office of Sustainability.    

The Compost Pilot Program offers an impactful way to reduce food waste while addressing food insecurity in Detroit. A significant portion of perfectly edible, nutrient-dense food is discarded, contributing to the city’s challenges—69% of Detroit households experience food insecurity. Nationally, an estimated 30–40% of food grown on farms never reaches consumers, 30% of food at grocery stores is thrown away, and about 10% is wasted at the manufacturing level due to human error, product testing, or allergen-free production requirements.

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 city’s carbon footprint, support urban farms and food sovereignty, improve soil health, and strengthen local food production.

Carhartt has been a strong supporter of Detroit’s sustainability efforts, providing the $100,000 grant that makes this pilot possible. Their investment reflects a commitment to building resilient communities, reducing waste, and creating healthier environments for Detroit residents.

“Community-centered composting is key to food sovereignty, urban equity, and sustainability in Detroit. By building a closed-loop food economy, we recycle economic, cultural, and ecological capital back into our communities—transformative change that redefines ‘waste’ and deepens our connection to all living beings,” said Dr. Shakara Tyler Saba, Co-Executive Director, DBCFSN.  

Once participants drop off their approved food scraps, the materials will be processed by an on-site composter, which reduces the volume by 50–75%. The digested material will then be transported to various local farms to help grow food, enrich soil, and support sustainable agriculture in Detroit. The pilot program aims to divert up to 220 pounds of food scraps each day—an estimated 80,080 pounds annually. The City of Detroit Urban Agriculture Division will track the total waste diverted and share data with the Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Division. Monthly reports will also be compiled to track participation and collected waste.

“This pilot will engage and equip community members on the practice, importance, and value of composting and help to create a culture of resourcefulness and resilience, while building local capacity to develop soil-based solutions to meet local needs,” said Renee V. Wallace, CEO, Doers Edge LLC and Executive Director, FoodPLUS Detroit.

"Composting gives us a special opportunity to turn the problem of unmanaged food waste into the solution. Healthier soil structures and nutritionally dense foods produced at the local level, are a few of the major impacts Detroiters will make by engaging with this program,” said Liana Li, Co-Founder and COO of Scrap Soils.

The Compost Pilot Program, led by the Office of Sustainability, supports Michigan’s 2030 statewide goal of diverting 50% of food waste from landfills. The program lays the foundation for a citywide composting system, beginning with multiple drop-off sites and working to expand to include curbside pickup.

The first 200 Detroit residents can complete registration for the Compost Pilot Program by completing this form—HERE.

###

About the City of Detroit’s Office of Sustainability The City of Detroit's Office of Sustainability leads efforts to reduce emissions, build resilience, and enhance the quality of life for residents. The Office works across City departments to implement bold climate initiatives set by the Sustainability Action Agenda and Detroit Climate Strategy.

For more information, visit detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-sustainability or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.