Ann Arbor, Mich., Claims it’s Not Economically Feasible to Reopen its MRF

In 2015, Ann Arbor, Mich., officials began to question whether North Carolina-based ReCommunity, the private operator of its recycling plant, was a good partner. And shortly after that, the City of Ann Arbor terminated its contract with the company, which resulted in ReCommunity filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Ann Arbor in July 2016 for wrongfully terminating its contract.

After much debate, the Ann Arbor City Council agreed to reimburse ReCommunity for cost of a baler and start a search for a new operator for its recycling plant. In late 2016, the city reviewed three proposals from Waste Management, Emterra Environmental and nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor and approved a $295,690 emergency purchase order for Waste Management to provide its services to the city for at least six weeks. The city then extended its agreement with Waste Management to provide residents and businesses with uninterrupted solid waste and recycling services.

Now, the City of Ann Arbor is claiming that it’s not economically feasible to repair and reopen its recycling plant. The city is currently looking into regional recycling options and has once again extended its contract with Waste management while it finalizes its new interim contract with Recycle Ann Arbor.

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