Going green is always in style — but with Global Recycling Day coming up on Tuesday, March 18, we figured now is the perfect time to recap some of the local ways to be a bit kinder to Mother Nature. Because, just like recycling, what goes around comes around.
Get down to earth and start composting
If you don’t want to start your own pile, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County have a Food Scraps Drop-Off Pilot Program. Drop off your scraps at one of the eight participating locations. Not sure what’s accepted? They’ve already sorted it out.
Bonus: You can get a free scrap collection bin when you sign up.
Bin there done that
Make sure you know what can and can’t go in the recycling bin. Have items that can’t be picked up curbside? Thanks to some eco-conscious Ashevillians like Paul Allen of Feed Me Foam, you can give items like Styrofoam new life.
Pro tip: Be on the lookout for Asheville Greenworks’ Hard 2 Recycle events, where you can bring items from batteries to electronics.
Eco-conscious living
Another way to lower your carbon footprint? Go veggie. Luckily, there are a plethora of vegan, vegetarian, and veggie-friendly spots across Asheville. Check out our guide to eating green.
Shop pre-loved clothing at stores like rEvolve, EMOTE, Honeypot Vintage, and many more.
Built different
Save your energy and let Green Built Alliance do the work. The nonprofit helps residents and businesses build green homes, offset their carbon footprints, and reduce energy consumption through a plethora of programs and resources.
Go bulk or go home
There are a variety of refill shops around town, like To the Brim and West Village Market, where you can sustainably stock up on items from granola to laundry detergent. Just be sure to bring your own bags and jars.
