Meet Allen’s mobile densifier, Audrey III. | Photo from @feedmefoam
Did you know it takes 500 years for Styrofoam to decompose in a landfill? Thanks to a Mars Hill resident’s business, Feed Me Foam, it doesn’t have to.
Paul Allen created Feed Me Foam in May of 2022 after identifying that there were no resources to recycle Styrofoam, aka expanded polystyrene or EPS, in Western North Carolina. Using a small grant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources along with his personal funds, Paul purchased a truck and densifier to begin recycling.
Let’s break it down (literally)
EPS is a plastic product derived from petroleum not allowed in your home recycling bins. Since EPS is made up of more than 90% air, the lightweight and bulky nature of the products mean the collection and transportation impacts of recycling EPS often outweigh the environmental benefits.
That’s where Feed Me Foam comes in. Paul collects EPS and puts it into his mobile densifier to grind, melt, and compact into blocks. Then, he finds a buyer to introduce it back into the recycling market. “It doesn’t have to go to our landfills, but we have to find where to recycle EPS,” says Paul.
Plus, Asheville Greenworks will be collecting EPS at its Hard 2 Recycle event this Saturday, May 27 at the Asheville Outlets parking lot from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Unsure of what you can and can’t put in your home recycling bin? Explore Earth 911 to find out what to recycle and where.
DARC. Family Night | Wednesday, May 24 | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Mellowdrome, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Enjoy food and “Ring of Fire” bike races with the Downtown Asheville Racing Club.
Thursday, May 25
Disc Golf Putting and First Throw Clinic | Thursday, May 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hiking Trails at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $25 | Learn the basics of disc golf at this event for first-time players — plus, take home a Highland disc.
Survey Says | Thursday, May 25 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing - Biltmore Village, 2A Huntsman Pl., Asheville | Free | Gather a team for Asheville’s version of Family Feud — guess the number one answer to questions asked of 100 people.
Friday, May 26
Community Farm Tour | Friday, May 26 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Asheville | $0-$10 | Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a hike along the Discovery Trail to see the property’s farm projects — plus, bring a lunch to enjoy a scenic picnic.
An Extraordinary Tasting Adventure | Friday, May 26 | 12-5 p.m. | Vicario Distillery and Farm, 800 Old Jones Rd., Greer | $15 | Experience VICARIO’s award-winning liqueurs and Gin and take a walk through the herb farm to learn about the unique distillery on Fridays and Saturdays.*
Gallabrae | Friday, May 26-Saturday, May 27 | Times vary | Downtown Greenville & Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $20 | Be Scottish for a day and celebrate Celtic culture with bagpipes, heavy athletic competitions, a car show, and more at one of the biggest Scottish Games in the region.*
Saturday, May 27
Southside Community Clean Up | Saturday, May 27 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Clean up green spaces in the community + enjoy refreshments afterwards — materials will be provided.
Groove at the Grove | Saturday, May 27 | 3-6 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Choose from 10 tables of games, including cards, board games + billiards.
Women’s Chainsaw Master Class | Saturday, May 27 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Near New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | $200 | Learn to use a chainsaw with confidence and skill at this class covering chainsaw safety, saw maintenance, basic cutting skills, and felling techniques.
The ultimate tip? Answer a few questions in this free, five-minute quiz to match with vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help optimize a retirement plan for you.*
1“Journal of Retirement Study Winter” (2020)”.The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of your future results. Please follow the link to see the methodologies employed in the Journal of Retirement study.
Asheville Regional Airport is adding a nonstop flight to Denver International Airport starting Friday, September 29. The United Airlines flight is available for booking now. Flights will operate daily following this schedule.
Closing
The famed Mountaineer Inn on Tunnel Road has been sold for over $6 million to LOGE— a company that revamps struggling motels across the country. The group plans to add a bar + cafe to the space and aim to keep it affordable for travelers. (WLOS)
Coming Soon
Asheville natives and sisters-in-law Charriat Robinson and Tisharra Redfern are opening Sky City Tavern at 144 Biltmore Ave. in June. The bar, restaurant, and event venue will be created as an inclusive space to attract more diverse, younger crowds downtown. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Has there been something stopping you from getting involved with a local board or commission? Buncombe County wants to know about it. The county is conducting a survey to identify barriers in community board participation. Take the survey.
Sports
Asheville Sport and Social Club’s weekly kickball is returning on Thursday, June 1. From 6:15-8:00 p.m., teams will challenge each other to a friendly game on the softball fields at Crossroads Assembly — plus, join players for an after party at Grata Pizzeria. Register now.
Job
Inclusive Hiring Partners is hosting a Community Hiring Event on Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at YWCA of Asheville. Meet hiring employers, participate in on-site interviews, and get a free professional headshot. Bonus: on-site childcare will be available.
Arts
The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s annual Clay Day returns to the Folk Art Center on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn about a variety of clay techniques through demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*
An update for the fashion girlies: Melona is moving from its location at 315 Haywood Rd., with a new location coming soon. Starting today, almost everything in the store is 40% off. Stop by until this Sunday, May 28 to shop the sale.
* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.