What we do Last updated or reviewed on April 17, 2023 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 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 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. 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. Explore Related ProjectsSustainability News City of Asheville shares data from new solar installation at Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Posted on August 21, 2023August 21, 2023 by Kim Miller On July 28th, the City of Asheville “flipped the switch” on the photovoltaic array, commonly known as solar panels, at the Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center on Livingston Street. Sustainable Energy Goals: This is the sixth City facility to include renewable energy production, the first being the Transit Station on Coxe Avenue. Installation of the solar [...] Bountiful Cities and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council relaunch updated Asheville Edibles Map with City of Asheville Posted on August 9, 2023 by Christy Edwards Local nonprofit Bountiful Cities and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council partnered with the City of Asheville to release an updated interactive map showing public edible plants around Asheville. Asheville is known for its vibrant food culture and commitment to sustainability. However, alongside a community of passionate foodies, there are individuals experiencing food insecurity. The Asheville Edibles [...] City of Asheville implements changes to leaf bag collection beginning August 1, 2023 Posted on July 18, 2023July 20, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is committed to promoting environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste. As part of these efforts, the City will be implementing a new ordinance, effective August 1, 2023, that prohibits the use of plastic bags for brush and leaf collection. This regulation is in accordance with the Asheville Code of [...] 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.
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.
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.
City of Asheville shares data from new solar installation at Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Posted on August 21, 2023August 21, 2023 by Kim Miller On July 28th, the City of Asheville “flipped the switch” on the photovoltaic array, commonly known as solar panels, at the Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center on Livingston Street. Sustainable Energy Goals: This is the sixth City facility to include renewable energy production, the first being the Transit Station on Coxe Avenue. Installation of the solar [...]
Bountiful Cities and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council relaunch updated Asheville Edibles Map with City of Asheville Posted on August 9, 2023 by Christy Edwards Local nonprofit Bountiful Cities and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council partnered with the City of Asheville to release an updated interactive map showing public edible plants around Asheville. Asheville is known for its vibrant food culture and commitment to sustainability. However, alongside a community of passionate foodies, there are individuals experiencing food insecurity. The Asheville Edibles [...]
City of Asheville implements changes to leaf bag collection beginning August 1, 2023 Posted on July 18, 2023July 20, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is committed to promoting environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste. As part of these efforts, the City will be implementing a new ordinance, effective August 1, 2023, that prohibits the use of plastic bags for brush and leaf collection. This regulation is in accordance with the Asheville Code of [...]