What we do Last updated or reviewed on November 30, 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 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 celebrates one year of free residential food scraps drop off sites Posted on December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is celebrating the results after one year of the free residential food scraps drop off pilot program. In 2022 so far, over 200,000 pounds (155 tons!) of organics has been diverted from the landfill. Thanks to the participation of nearly 4,000 residents, this pilot program is reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and saving [...] November 15 is America Recycles Day – Here is how you can participate Posted on November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 by Christy Edwards The City of Asheville is proud to celebrate America Recycles Day November 15 which promotes the importance of recycling and recognizes the efforts of Ashevillians to recycle right. Taking the time to properly recycle improves our quality of life by supporting a clean, economically vibrant, and sustainable environment. More than 23,000 tons of trash are generated [...] Is your jack-o-lantern looking sad? Compost it! Posted on November 2, 2022 by Christy Edwards Halloween is over – and your jack-o-lantern has served its purpose with it’s spooky glow. Don’t trash it – compost it! Asheville Greenworks and the City of Asheville have partnered with Wicked Weed West for a Pumpkin Compost Drop Off Event at Wicked Weed West on November 5 and 6. Did you know the [...] Explore Sustainability News
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 celebrates one year of free residential food scraps drop off sites Posted on December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville is celebrating the results after one year of the free residential food scraps drop off pilot program. In 2022 so far, over 200,000 pounds (155 tons!) of organics has been diverted from the landfill. Thanks to the participation of nearly 4,000 residents, this pilot program is reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and saving [...]
November 15 is America Recycles Day – Here is how you can participate Posted on November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 by Christy Edwards The City of Asheville is proud to celebrate America Recycles Day November 15 which promotes the importance of recycling and recognizes the efforts of Ashevillians to recycle right. Taking the time to properly recycle improves our quality of life by supporting a clean, economically vibrant, and sustainable environment. More than 23,000 tons of trash are generated [...]
Is your jack-o-lantern looking sad? Compost it! Posted on November 2, 2022 by Christy Edwards Halloween is over – and your jack-o-lantern has served its purpose with it’s spooky glow. Don’t trash it – compost it! Asheville Greenworks and the City of Asheville have partnered with Wicked Weed West for a Pumpkin Compost Drop Off Event at Wicked Weed West on November 5 and 6. Did you know the [...]