Top Composting & Food Waste in Warren, Michigan Ranked

For restaurant owners and food service operators in Warren, managing organic waste effectively is a critical operational and environmental consideration. While the city offers a well-structured seasonal program for residential yard waste, commercial food waste diversion typically requires partnering with private haulers. Navigating this landscape involves understanding local resources, state regulations, and best practices for separating compostable materials to reduce landfill contributions and potentially lower disposal costs. This guide provides a clear overview of organic waste management options specifically for Warren's food service industry.

Midtown Composting

4272 Alter Rd, Detroit, MI 48215

Midtown Composting provides food waste and composting services for restaurants in Detroit, MI. They offer weekly pickup of food scraps, including pet waste and meat, helping businesses reduce trash and compost organic materials. The company also provides lawn care and snow removal services.

5.0

35 Reviews

Spurt Industries

2041 Charms Rd, Wixom, MI 48393

Spurt Industries is a composting and organic waste recycling company based in Novi, MI. They specialize in food waste collection for restaurants and commercial clients, as well as yard waste, brush, and clean wood recycling. Spurt produces STA certified compost and custom soil blends, serving both residential and commercial customers. Their facilities in Wixom and Rochester Hills handle large volumes of organic waste annually, contributing to sustainable soil products and environmental efforts. The company has a history of supporting local green industries and offers delivery services for compost and soil products.

4.8

37 Reviews

Spurt SOCRRA Compost

1741 School Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Spurt SOCRRA Compost is a composting and organic waste recycling company located in Troy, MI. They provide commercial food waste collection services with carts and dumpsters for large waste generators, as well as yard waste, brush, and wood debris disposal. The company produces STA certified compost and custom soil blends, serving both residential and commercial clients. Spurt operates EGLE registered facilities and is the only producer of STA certified compost in Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties. They handle large-scale projects with deliveries ranging from small to over 1,000 yards of soil and compost products.

4.2

15 Reviews

See more providers in Warren, MI

Understanding Warren's Municipal Composting Program

The City of Warren operates a dedicated seasonal composting program for its residents, which runs annually from April 1st through December 1st ^{1 2}. This service is designed for yard waste, such as grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings, and small twigs. Residents use either a city-provided 95-gallon compost tote with a brown lid or 30-gallon compostable paper bags for collection ^{1 3}. Pickup occurs weekly on residents' regular trash collection day.

Key Distinction for Restaurants: It's important to note that this municipal program is explicitly for residential yard waste. The city's guidelines state that food scraps are not accepted in this curbside collection stream ^{1 3}. Therefore, restaurants, cafes, and other commercial food generators cannot use this service for their kitchen and plate waste. This separation means commercial entities must seek alternative pathways for food waste recycling.

Commercial Food Waste Solutions: Private Haulers and State Law

For food waste diversion, Warren's food service businesses primarily rely on private waste and recycling companies. Major national haulers like Republic Services and Waste Management, as well as local independent providers, often offer commercial organics collection services. These programs are customized, with costs based on the volume of waste, frequency of pickup, and the type of containers used (e.g., 64-gallon wheeled carts or larger dumpsters) ⁴.

A significant driver for commercial food waste programs is Michigan state law. House Bill 1838 mandates that large-scale generators of organic waste-specifically those producing over two tons per week-must implement a diversion program ^{5 4}. This law requires such businesses to either donate surplus edible food or recycle/compost their organic waste. Even for smaller generators not subject to the mandate, establishing a food scrap recycling program aligns with sustainability goals and can be a positive step for the community and the environment.

What Can Be Composted in a Commercial Program?

When you contract with a private hauler for organics collection, they will provide a specific list of accepted materials. Generally, commercial composting programs accept:

• Food prep scraps (vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
• Plate scrapings and post-consumer food waste
• BPI-certified compostable serviceware (plates, cups, cutlery) and liners ^{4 6}

Crucial Contamination Controls: To ensure the quality of the finished compost, it is vital to keep non-compostable materials out of the stream. Common contaminants that are typically not accepted include:

• Plastic bags (unless they are specifically BPI-certified compostable)
• Styrofoam
• Metals, glass, and plastic packaging
• Liquids and grease
• Traditional plastic film or wrappers ^{4 6}

For kitchen collection, using a small pail lined with newspaper, paper bags, or certified compostable bags can help maintain a clean stream ⁶.

Costs and Considerations for Food Waste Recycling

Pricing for commercial food waste collection is highly variable and customized. There is no standard city rate, as costs depend on your hauler, the volume of organic waste your establishment produces, and how often you need pickup (e.g., daily, twice weekly, or weekly) ⁴. Some pilot or municipal programs in other Michigan communities have offered initial incentives, such as a free first year, before transitioning to a per-pickup or per-cart fee structure ^{4 7}. When soliciting quotes from haulers, be sure to ask about all potential fees, including container rental, collection frequency charges, and processing costs.

Implementing a program also requires internal planning. Consider space for different containers in your kitchen and dishwashing area, and staff training is essential to ensure proper sorting and minimize contamination. The upfront effort in setting up a system can lead to long-term benefits, including potential waste hauling cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced brand reputation as a sustainable business.

Steps to Start a Food Waste Program in Warren

1. Contact Local Haulers: Reach out to private waste management companies servicing Macomb County to request quotes for commercial food waste collection and recycling services. Discuss your needs for container sizes, pickup schedules, and ask for a list of exactly what materials they accept.
2. Check City Resources: While the municipal program is for residents, it's always wise to verify with the City of Warren's Sanitation Division for any updates on commercial drop-off locations or partnerships with processing facilities that might benefit local businesses ⁵.
3. Verify Compliance: Assess your weekly organic waste output. If you are a large-scale generator (over 2 tons/week), ensure your plan meets the requirements of Michigan's HB 1838 for food waste reduction and diversion ⁵.
4. Educate and Implement: Train your staff thoroughly on the new sorting procedures. Use clear signage and properly labeled bins to make the system easy to follow and successful from day one.

The Benefits of Diverting Food Waste

Beyond compliance, diverting food waste from landfills offers tangible benefits. In landfills, organic matter decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting processes this material aerobically, significantly reducing methane emissions and creating a valuable soil amendment ⁷. For the food service industry, reducing waste can also mean more efficient purchasing and inventory management. Participating in organics recycling supports Michigan's circular economy goals, turning a disposal problem into a resource for local agriculture and landscaping ⁷.

Frequently asked questions

Sources