On Michigan’s Mackinac Island, residents and visitors enjoy a unique and successful composting program that has been in operation since the 1990s. Located in a pristine environment with restrictions on motor vehicles, the island has limited options for waste disposal. Composting has become an integral part of waste management, with green compost bags available for $2, while trash bags cost $4.50, encouraging residents to sort their waste. The horse-drawn wagons collect compost and kitchen waste, demonstrating how a small, isolated community can effectively reduce waste and promote sustainability. While composting programs are more common in urban areas, Mackinac Island serves as an example of rural composting success.

Hodder, Paige. “This Car-Free Michigan Island Is Leading on Composting” Civil Eats, 24 Oct. 2023, civileats.com/2023/10/23/mackinac-islands-decades-old-composting-system-can-serve-as-a-model-for-newer-efforts/.