What we do Last updated or reviewed on August 15, 2022 The City of Asheville has a strong record and long standing commitment to sustainability. The Office of Sustainability was created in 2008 to integrate sustainable design, technology, and practice into municipal operations, infrastructure and services. The Office of Sustainability 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 Office of Sustainability. Guiding Documents 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 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 Asheville Community Carbon Footprint The Office of Sustainability recently worked with a student from the Lenoir Rhyne Masters of Sustainability Studies program to measure the carbon footprint from 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 Office of Sustainability 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 Municipal Climate Action Plan The Municipal Climate Action Plan will incorporate all new additions of policies and resolutions while creating a roadmap on how to accomplish adopted goals and identify those most impactful at carbon mitigation and climate resiliency. 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. Onsite Solar for Public Facilities The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are contracting with M.B. Hayes to install solar photovoltaic power generating systems (“PV Systems”) at 45 sites throughout the county. Construction will occur between March 2021 - February 2022 at several local public agencies, including the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, AB Tech, Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools. The four City sites are Burton Street Community Center, Shiloh Recreation Center, Fire Station 10 and Fire Station 11. Explore Related ProjectsSustainability News Who’s up this week on What’s Up AVL Posted on May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 by Kim Miller What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show gives the community the chance to take a deep dive with City of Asheville staff and departments. Learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. This week, the City of Asheville sits down with newly appointed Sustainability Director Bridget Herring [...] Earth Day is just around the corner! Posted on April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 by Christy Edwards The Office of Sustainability invites you to join in the fun of making a cleaner, greener Asheville at home, at work, and in our community. There are many ways to make small changes with big impact to the health and quality of our environment. Below are a few examples and a super fun opportunity to join in the fun. Earth Day is this Friday and it's not too late to schedule your earth action! City of Asheville completes aggregated solar project Posted on April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 by Christy Edwards Recently the City of Asheville “flipped the switch” on a photovoltaic array, commonly known as solar panels, at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center on Shiloh Road. This is the fifth City facility to include onsite renewable energy production. This completes the City’s portion of projects included in the joint initiative to install solar panels on City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and AB-Tech facilities. Explore Sustainability News
Municipal Climate Action Plan The Municipal Climate Action Plan will incorporate all new additions of policies and resolutions while creating a roadmap on how to accomplish adopted goals and identify those most impactful at carbon mitigation and climate resiliency.
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.
Onsite Solar for Public Facilities The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are contracting with M.B. Hayes to install solar photovoltaic power generating systems (“PV Systems”) at 45 sites throughout the county. Construction will occur between March 2021 - February 2022 at several local public agencies, including the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, AB Tech, Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools. The four City sites are Burton Street Community Center, Shiloh Recreation Center, Fire Station 10 and Fire Station 11.
Who’s up this week on What’s Up AVL Posted on May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 by Kim Miller What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show gives the community the chance to take a deep dive with City of Asheville staff and departments. Learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. This week, the City of Asheville sits down with newly appointed Sustainability Director Bridget Herring [...]
Earth Day is just around the corner! Posted on April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 by Christy Edwards The Office of Sustainability invites you to join in the fun of making a cleaner, greener Asheville at home, at work, and in our community. There are many ways to make small changes with big impact to the health and quality of our environment. Below are a few examples and a super fun opportunity to join in the fun. Earth Day is this Friday and it's not too late to schedule your earth action!
City of Asheville completes aggregated solar project Posted on April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 by Christy Edwards Recently the City of Asheville “flipped the switch” on a photovoltaic array, commonly known as solar panels, at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center on Shiloh Road. This is the fifth City facility to include onsite renewable energy production. This completes the City’s portion of projects included in the joint initiative to install solar panels on City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and AB-Tech facilities.