What we do Last updated or reviewed on November 7, 2025 The City of Asheville has a strong track record and long-standing commitment to sustainability. The Sustainability Department was established in 2008 to integrate sustainable design, technology, and practices into municipal operations, infrastructure, and services. The department is responsible for implementing City Council’s strategic goals and resolutions related to sustainability throughout the organization. Doing the Work Listed below are the plans, assessments, and policies that guide the work of the Sustainability Department. Guiding Documents Municipal Climate Action Plan The Sustainability Management Plan Climate Resiliency Assessment Moving to 100 Percent: Renewable Energy Transition Pathways Analysis for Buncombe County and the City of Asheville Policies 4% annual carbon reduction goal for municipal operations 2% annual carbon reduction goal for municipal operations Food policy action plan 50% municipal solid waste reduction goal by 2035 100% renewable energy goal for municipal operations by 2030 Climate Emergency and Emergency Mobilization Effort to Restore a Safe Climate Annual Reports The Sustainability Department provides annual updates to the department’s work, which can be found below: FY25 Annual Report FY24 Annual Report Asheville Community Carbon Footprint In 2021 the Sustainability Department worked with a student from the Lenoir Rhyne Masters of Sustainability Studies program to measure the carbon footprint of the city at large. The carbon emissions from 2019 for the city of Asheville are summed up in this infographic. Text only version Community Partners The Sustainability Department partners with the following local nonprofits to implement community programs: Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council Asheville Greenworks Bee City USA – Asheville Bountiful Cities Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5558 Email Address bherring@ashevillenc.gov Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sustainability DirectorBridget Herring Related Services Dispose of large, seasonal or unusual items Information about disposing of large or unusual items such as furniture, household hazardous waste, or appliances. As well as instructions for brush, leaves, or Christmas trees. Recycling guidelines Information on what can be recycled, how to prepare items for collection, and composting. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Electrify ABC Electrify Asheville-Buncombe County is a pilot program supporting home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades as one way to move toward the City supported goal of powering Buncombe county with 100% renewable energy by 2042. Single-Use Plastic Reduction Asheville City Council has directed the Sustainability Department to take a phased approach to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic. Food Waste Reduction Initiative The Food Waste Reduction Initiative aims to provide useful information and tips to residents seeking ways to reduce their household food waste, pilot opportunities for community compost drop sites, elevate the message of food waste reduction, and model food waste reduction initiatives in city facilities. Explore Related ProjectsSustainability News Stronger Together: Stories from AVL’s neighborhoods post-Helene Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by Christy Edwards As Helene recovery continues to unfold, strengthening our ability to withstand and bounce back from future disruptions, our community continues to reflect on the ways that we came together as neighbors. As part of the reflection, city staff spent time interviewing community members to understand what happened in the aftermath of Helene and how people responded. Come Take Part in the City’s Holiday Free Store! Posted on November 18, 2025 by Christy Edwards Do you have items cluttering your home that are still in good condition? Or are you looking for some free items ahead of the holidays? If so, come to the City’s Holiday Free Store on Dec 13 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center. Sustainability Department shares MCAP updates to performance measures and FY25 Department Annual Report Posted on October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by Christy Edwards The Sustainability Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Report has been published along with annual updates to the Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) webpage and performance measures. Tropical Storm Helene impacted our City, region, lives, and work in significant and lasting ways, including work reorganization to address emerging recovery needs alongside ongoing sustainability work. Explore Sustainability News
Dispose of large, seasonal or unusual items Information about disposing of large or unusual items such as furniture, household hazardous waste, or appliances. As well as instructions for brush, leaves, or Christmas trees.
Recycling guidelines Information on what can be recycled, how to prepare items for collection, and composting.
Electrify ABC Electrify Asheville-Buncombe County is a pilot program supporting home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades as one way to move toward the City supported goal of powering Buncombe county with 100% renewable energy by 2042.
Single-Use Plastic Reduction Asheville City Council has directed the Sustainability Department to take a phased approach to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic.
Food Waste Reduction Initiative The Food Waste Reduction Initiative aims to provide useful information and tips to residents seeking ways to reduce their household food waste, pilot opportunities for community compost drop sites, elevate the message of food waste reduction, and model food waste reduction initiatives in city facilities.
Stronger Together: Stories from AVL’s neighborhoods post-Helene Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by Christy Edwards As Helene recovery continues to unfold, strengthening our ability to withstand and bounce back from future disruptions, our community continues to reflect on the ways that we came together as neighbors. As part of the reflection, city staff spent time interviewing community members to understand what happened in the aftermath of Helene and how people responded.
Come Take Part in the City’s Holiday Free Store! Posted on November 18, 2025 by Christy Edwards Do you have items cluttering your home that are still in good condition? Or are you looking for some free items ahead of the holidays? If so, come to the City’s Holiday Free Store on Dec 13 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center.
Sustainability Department shares MCAP updates to performance measures and FY25 Department Annual Report Posted on October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by Christy Edwards The Sustainability Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Report has been published along with annual updates to the Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) webpage and performance measures. Tropical Storm Helene impacted our City, region, lives, and work in significant and lasting ways, including work reorganization to address emerging recovery needs alongside ongoing sustainability work.
