The City of Grand Rapids is officially launching its Renew Grand Rapids food scrap program aiming to save money and resources. Residents can now use bins at seven local sites to dispose of their organic scraps. The city says community feedback influenced the finalized locations, which span three wards: Lincoln Park, Garfield Park and the Public Services Center, Fulton Street Farmer’s Market and Riverside Park, and MLK Park and MacKay-Jaycees Park. The Grand Rapids Public Works facility on Scribner Avenue is a location as well.
Already, nearly 300 people have signed up for the program but the city is aiming for 500. If it hits that goal, it hopes to add more locations and get local restaurants and breweries involved.
An internal pilot program tested in 2025 showed promising results, diverting 5,000 pounds of food waste in just six months, according to the city. City leaders used the pilot to test out logistics and get feedback from the community through a few public meetings.