What we do Last updated or reviewed on October 3, 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 Sustainability Advisory Committee invites community to Holiday Free Store Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by Christy Edwards This holiday season the City’s Sustainability Advisory Committee is supporting our community in finding alternatives for holiday gift sourcing. The Holiday Free Store is a fun “shopping” event that is good for your wallet and for the planet. City of Asheville shares data from new solar installation at Broadway Public Safety Station Posted on October 12, 2023 by Kim Miller The Broadway Public Safety Station on Broadway Street, even though not officially open yet, it is producing solar energy. This is the seventh City facility to include renewable energy production. The Broadway Public Safety Station will produce approximately 77,386 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power 7 homes. Asheville Asks: Does the new NC state budget provision on plastic bags impact Asheville’s leaf collection ordinance? Posted on October 6, 2023October 9, 2023 by Kim Miller Does the recent North Carolina state budget provision addressing the use of plastic bags impact Asheville's new leaf collection ordinance that went into effect August 1, 2023? The quick answer is no, but expand this article for a fuller explanation and a reminder of good practices. 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.
Sustainability Advisory Committee invites community to Holiday Free Store Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by Christy Edwards This holiday season the City’s Sustainability Advisory Committee is supporting our community in finding alternatives for holiday gift sourcing. The Holiday Free Store is a fun “shopping” event that is good for your wallet and for the planet.
City of Asheville shares data from new solar installation at Broadway Public Safety Station Posted on October 12, 2023 by Kim Miller The Broadway Public Safety Station on Broadway Street, even though not officially open yet, it is producing solar energy. This is the seventh City facility to include renewable energy production. The Broadway Public Safety Station will produce approximately 77,386 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power 7 homes.
Asheville Asks: Does the new NC state budget provision on plastic bags impact Asheville’s leaf collection ordinance? Posted on October 6, 2023October 9, 2023 by Kim Miller Does the recent North Carolina state budget provision addressing the use of plastic bags impact Asheville's new leaf collection ordinance that went into effect August 1, 2023? The quick answer is no, but expand this article for a fuller explanation and a reminder of good practices.