City of Grand Rapids announces official launch of food scrap pilot, Renew Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids today announced the official launch of Renew Grand Rapids, a citywide food scrap pilot program that reduces waste, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and transforms organic material into nutrient-rich compost accessible equitably across the community. The program is now live, and residents across all three City wards can sign up and begin participating.

Renew Grand Rapids allows residents to drop off food scraps at any of seven convenient bins located throughout the city. After enrolling, participants can use secure, Bluetooth‑enabled bins placed in locations the community helped choose:

• Ward One: Lincoln Park, Garfield Park, Public Services Center
• Ward Two: Fulton Street Farmer’s Market, Riverside Park
• Ward Three: MLK Park, MacKay-Jaycees Park

Residents can find full details and sign-up instructions at: https://engage.grandrapidsmi.gov/renewgr.

Community‑Driven, Climate‑Focused

The launch of Renew Grand Rapids marks a major step in the City’s long-term climate action commitments. Organic material makes up an estimated 35 to 40 percent of municipal solid waste generated in Grand Rapids – roughly 13,000 tons per year. When landfilled, food waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

“Residents have been asking for a food scrap collection option since our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan engagement sessions as early as 2023,” said Annabelle Wilkinson, chief sustainability officer. “This pilot reflects the priorities our community identified and the commitments our commissioners made. By converting food scraps into high-quality compost, we’re not only reducing waste, we’re actively addressing climate change. This is about giving 13,000 tons of organics a second life and building a healthier future for Grand Rapids.”

Renew Grand Rapids makes significant progress in one of the 20 priority actions identified in the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and builds on the City’s internal Organics Diversion Innovation Team, formed in 2025 to test and refine food scrap collection strategies across municipal facilities.

A First-of-Its-Kind Municipal Program

The pilot represents a milestone for the Grand Rapids Public Works Department, creating Michigan’s first fully municipal-owned and operated compost program. The department now manages collection, composting and distribution entirely in-house.

“We’re incredibly proud of the innovation and teamwork that brought Renew Grand Rapids to life,” said John Gorney, public works director. “Less than a year after we began shaping the concept, we’re launching a program that is equitable, accessible and built directly from community feedback. Our internal pilot diverted more than 5,000 pounds of food scraps in 2025, and the lessons learned helped us design a system that works for residents citywide. This investment – new equipment, new processes and a new composting system – strengthens our ability to manage organics locally and sustainably.”

Earlier this year, the City held engagement sessions across all three wards, gathering input from hundreds of residents on bin placement and compost redistribution. Their feedback ultimately shaped the final bin locations.

How the Program Works

Renew Grand Rapids is designed for simple, secure use:

• Residents sign up through the City’s app or website.
• Bins remain locked to prevent contamination; approved users unlock them via Bluetooth, or for residents without a smart phone, keypads are available to unlock each units.
• Participants select the appropriate bin in the app, press “open,” and have 25 seconds to deposit their food scraps.
• Compost produced from collected material will later be redistributed to residents at no cost.

The Public Works Department has incorporated bin service into existing routes and will host “open hours” for residents seeking assistance with enrollment or usage. Details are available at the program’s website or by calling 311. Open hours take place at 1500 Scribner Avenue NW on Mondays and Wednesdays starting Monday, Aug. 24 through Wednesday, Sept. 9.

“This program is the result of incredible collaboration,” said Bob Swain, public works manager. “Teams from Public Works, Innovation, Sustainability, Communications and more came together to build something that truly serves our residents. The bins are intentionally placed for convenience across all three wards, and any City resident can sign up. We’re excited to see this pilot grow and to support residents in taking meaningful climate action.”

Residents may also choose to participate in Kent County’s separate food scrap program; both operate seamlessly within the same app.

Sign Up Today

To enroll or learn more about Renew Grand Rapids, visit https://engage.grandrapidsmi.gov/renewgr or call 616-456-3000 or 311.

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