A tip for reducing your plastic use during the Less Plastic Asheville Challenge

We’re helping you clear off your Less Plastic Bingo card.

Glass bottles and containers are gathered together in Ware, a local refill store.

Pro tip: You can donate extra containers to Ware to be used as free community refill jars.

Photo via Ware

The City of Asheville just launched the Less Plastic Asheville Challenge, a program to inspire residents to reduce their consumption of single-use plastic.

This is the final phase in the city’s Single-Use Plastic Reduction Project, which began at the end of 2022. You may remember a big part of this initiative was the consideration of a single-use plastic ban — but a provision in the NC state budget, passed in September 2023, bars local governments from banning single-use plastic.

The key features of this challenge involve the Pass on Plastic Pledge and the Less Plastic Bingo social media challenge. After signing up to participate in the citywide bingo game, you’ll receive a card in your inbox. All the prompts on the card provide valuable ways to reduce your consumption, but one really caught our eye: Share your own plastic-reducing life hack. So we thought we’d step up to the plate.

(Re)fill me in

There are several refill stores in Asheville, where you can stock up on essentials while curbing your environmental footprint. Supporting local businesses and shrinking your plastic use? We call that a win-win.

Ware, 797 Haywood Rd., Ste. 101
You can take plastic packaging out of the equation by refilling your personal care and home products, from facial oils to all-purpose cleaner.

To the Brim Refill Store, 145 Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 60
Restock locally and nationally sourced eco-friendly products by the ounce, including home cleaning and bath + body products.

Prelude Provisions, 126 Elkwood Ave., Unit 101, Woodfin
This vegan grocery is full of delicious items and low-waste + compostable kitchen gear — and be sure to check out the abundant bulk section (with lots of organic options), offering everything from black lava salt to household staples like laundry detergent.

French Broad Food Co-Op, 90 Biltmore Ave.
Come with containers in tow to restock your spice cabinet in the co-op’s bulk department. Plus, if you’re after a caffeine kick, there’s an expansive selection of bulk coffee and tea.

West Village Market, 771 Haywood Rd.
Besides offering a wide array of local items, the shop lets you refill containers with products ranging from seeds, grains, and granolas to home + body care.

Pro tip: Products at your local farmers market often use less plastic packaging — just don’t forget to bring your tote bag.

More from AVLtoday
More than 1,000 of the unique works of art on the walls of the global steakhouse chain were created by WNC artist and UNC Asheville graduate David Soileau.
Summer may not officially be over yet — but pumpkin spice season is in full swing. Get your fill of the flavor at these Asheville spots.
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
Check out some of the year’s cheapest flights leaving our local airport.
The Asheville chapter of this nonprofit organization introduces local veterans to highly trained canine companions — and they need volunteers to raise the puppies.
Find inspiration, innovation, and collaboration during a week dedicated to building local business.
See what’s in store for the inaugural festival from the literary nonprofit and get acquainted with some of the authors who will share their work.
What you need to know about the unique festival blending history, arts, and culture.
The NC Division of Parks and Recreation acquired 238 acres of high-elevation land as park of the state park’s land protection plan.
Find a local group of fitness friends to keep you motivated, introduce you to new tracks + trails, and make sweat-breaking a social occasion.