Food Waste Reduction Initiative Happening Now In July 2020 The Office of Sustainability was selected to participate in a cohort of Southeastern Cities alongside Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, and Orlando. This project aims to build a foundation for organizing and expanding the City of Asheville’s food waste reduction initiatives in partnership with key community stakeholders. This umbrella initiative raises the profile of existing food waste reduction projects, pilot food waste reduction strategies at city facilities, support community coalition building, and strengthen the message and visibility of the City’s food waste reduction commitments. Background In 2017 Asheville City Council adopted a revised Food Policy Action Plan. Resolution 17-257 identified Resource Stewardship as a focus area with an objective to “create an actionable plan for city food waste recovery, composting and redistribution”. Up to 40 percent of food in the United States is wasted contributing to extensive environmental, economic and societal impacts. Up to 400 pounds of food per person is wasted annually with a family of four spending at least $1,800/year on wasted food. Here in Buncombe County an estimated 57,500 tons of food is wasted annually. This is food that could feed our neighbors, dollars that could otherwise circulate in our local economies, and landfill space dedicated to unnecessary waste. 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. Timeline January-March 2021 Food Waste Prevention Month Proclamation Public Education campaign on Food waste April – June 2020 Conduct food waste snapshot audits at city facilities, publish results Launch community composting site Resources City of Asheville Sanitation Division – information on recycling and waste reduction initiatives Food Waste Solutions WNC – community network including tips, tricks, and local resources Supporting Documents Resolution 20-25 Climate Emergency Declaration Climate Resilience Assessment Resolution 11-77 Establishing 4% CO2 Reduction Goal Resolution 14-27 Waste Reduction Goal and Benchmarks Resolution 17-257 Food Policy Action Plan Contact Information Kiera Bulan, Sustainability Coordinator 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. 3 Services Recycling guidelines Information on what can be recycled, how to prepare items for collection, and composting. 4 Services More Related Services Food Waste Reduction Initiative News City of Asheville participates in the energy regulatory process Posted on January 29, 2021January 29, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson The City and the community have demonstrated leadership in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change locally but we recognize that climate change is a global issue. Due to this complexity the City continues to advocate for clean energy and climate mitigation policy at all levels of government and we are excited to [...] Asheville Office of Sustainability engages BIPOC communities on climate justice initiative Posted on January 25, 2021February 10, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson On Jan. 28, 2020, Asheville City Council passed a Resolution Endorsing Declaration of a Climate Emergency and Emergency Mobilization Effort to Restore a Safe Climate. You can read a copy of the resolution at this link. The City’s Office of Sustainability would like to provide a community update on work related to [...] Look ahead: City of Asheville projects and initiatives for the new year Posted on January 4, 2021December 30, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville residents can look upon the new year with optimism. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic and a vaccine will be available this year. Even so, the City of Asheville’s response to COVID-19 will continue in the new year, in coordination with the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County. Residents can look forward to advances in [...] More Food Waste Reduction Initiative News
City of Asheville participates in the energy regulatory process Posted on January 29, 2021January 29, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson The City and the community have demonstrated leadership in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change locally but we recognize that climate change is a global issue. Due to this complexity the City continues to advocate for clean energy and climate mitigation policy at all levels of government and we are excited to [...]
Asheville Office of Sustainability engages BIPOC communities on climate justice initiative Posted on January 25, 2021February 10, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson On Jan. 28, 2020, Asheville City Council passed a Resolution Endorsing Declaration of a Climate Emergency and Emergency Mobilization Effort to Restore a Safe Climate. You can read a copy of the resolution at this link. The City’s Office of Sustainability would like to provide a community update on work related to [...]
Look ahead: City of Asheville projects and initiatives for the new year Posted on January 4, 2021December 30, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville residents can look upon the new year with optimism. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic and a vaccine will be available this year. Even so, the City of Asheville’s response to COVID-19 will continue in the new year, in coordination with the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County. Residents can look forward to advances in [...]