What we do Last updated or reviewed on May 1, 2025 The City of Asheville has a strong record and long-standing commitment to sustainability. The Sustainability Department was created in 2008 to integrate sustainable design, technology, and practice into municipal operations, infrastructure, and services. The Sustainability Department is responsible for incorporating City Council’s Strategic Goals and City Resolutions pertaining to sustainability within 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 Updates The Sustainability Department provides annual updates to the department’s work, which can be found below: 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 Bountiful Cities Green Built Alliance 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 City of Asheville launches Temporary Activation Program (TAP), facilitating temporary initiatives to support Helene Recovery in partnership with the community Posted on May 20, 2025May 19, 2025 by Kim Miller Is your organization looking to help out with post Helene recovery? TAP into a new program designed to streamline the authorization of quick-action, community-led recovery initiatives on public properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. Join us for a compost celebration on April 26 Posted on April 9, 2025April 8, 2025 by Jessica Hughes Happy Earth Month! Together, we have diverted over ONE MILLION POUNDS of food waste from the landfill! Thank you for your efforts in helping the City of Asheville/Buncombe County reach this important milestone! What a tremendous accomplishment! To celebrate, you are cordially invited to join us on Saturday, April 26th for a FREE, family-friendly event! At this event, [...] Earth Month is Here! Posted on April 1, 2025March 26, 2025 by Christy Edwards Our City and region continue to collaborate and make progress on Tropical Storm Helene recovery. The needs in our communities makes our actions to celebrate and support the earth this Spring even more meaningful. The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Department invites you to take extra steps this month to help clean up, beautify and restore [...] 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.
City of Asheville launches Temporary Activation Program (TAP), facilitating temporary initiatives to support Helene Recovery in partnership with the community Posted on May 20, 2025May 19, 2025 by Kim Miller Is your organization looking to help out with post Helene recovery? TAP into a new program designed to streamline the authorization of quick-action, community-led recovery initiatives on public properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
Join us for a compost celebration on April 26 Posted on April 9, 2025April 8, 2025 by Jessica Hughes Happy Earth Month! Together, we have diverted over ONE MILLION POUNDS of food waste from the landfill! Thank you for your efforts in helping the City of Asheville/Buncombe County reach this important milestone! What a tremendous accomplishment! To celebrate, you are cordially invited to join us on Saturday, April 26th for a FREE, family-friendly event! At this event, [...]
Earth Month is Here! Posted on April 1, 2025March 26, 2025 by Christy Edwards Our City and region continue to collaborate and make progress on Tropical Storm Helene recovery. The needs in our communities makes our actions to celebrate and support the earth this Spring even more meaningful. The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Department invites you to take extra steps this month to help clean up, beautify and restore [...]
