Asheville launches recycling pilot project in Housing Authority communities

The city of Asheville has announced a new recycling pilot project for communities managed by the Asheville Housing Authority beginning this month, according to a press release from the city’s communication division.

The program, part of the city’s larger “Zero Waste AVL” initiative, aims to improve recycling services in three Asheville Housing developments that previously lack these services — the Livingston, Erskine and Walton Housing Developments. City officials hope that the program will help divert approximately 14 tons of waste from entering the Buncombe County landfill over the next year, as well as increase public awareness about recycling in these communities.

The project is a collaboration between Asheville’s Office of Sustainability and Department of Sanitation, the Asheville Housing Authority’s Residents’ Council and Asheville GreenWorks.

Made possible by a $21,625 grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the city has provided 280 personal recycling bins for residents in addition to 280 rolling bins which can be used for curbside pick-up. Asheville has extended its current recycling services contract to include the new neighborhoods under this program.

“The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Office is pleased to offer multifamily housing residents an opportunity to reduce waste and increase their recycling opportunities,” says Amber Weaver, Asheville’s Chief Sustainability Officer, in the press release. “Thus far, the feedback from the community has been well received; the Southside residents are eager to begin the program.”

For more information on the recycling pilot project in AHA communities and other sustainability initiatives around Asheville, visit ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Sustainability or coablog.ashevillenc.gov, contact Chief Sustainability Officer Amber Weaver at aweaver@ashevillenc.gov or 828-271-6141 or see the official press release below.

Press release:

PRESS RELEASE: City of Asheville launches recycling pilot project in Asheville Housing Authority communities

The City of Asheville strives to be a leader in sustainability, stating in the City Council’s Strategic Operating Plan the goal of taking sustainability practices to the next level by implementing ways to reduce city-wide solid waste. With the Zero Waste AVL recycling program, the City is making strides towards reducing the trash sent to landfills. A goal of the program is to make recycling easier and more convenient.

The City of Asheville’s Office of Sustainability and Department of Sanitation, in partnership with the Asheville Housing Authority’s Residents’ Council and Asheville GreenWorks, have developed a pilot project to improve recycling services in three of Asheville Housing’s developments for 280 households that were formerly without access to recycling. The aim is to divert 14 tons of waste from entering the landfill, increase public awareness about recycling and recycle 14 tons of materials by June 30, 2016.

Starting Oct. 1, the City extended its recycling services contract to include pickup in the Livingston, Erskine and Walton Housing Developments.

With $21,625 in funding from the N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality, the City provided 280 in-apartment recycling bins and 280 large rolling cart recycling bins for curbside pickup. With the in-apartment bins, a flyer and refrigerator magnets promoting the recycling program were delivered to all 280 apartments.

Materials that can be recycled that are currently being thrown away along with other residential trash include plastics #1 through #7, glass, paper, metals and cardboard and cartons.

“The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Office is pleased to offer multifamily housing residents an opportunity to reduce waste and increase their recycling opportunities,” said Amber Weaver, Chief Sustainability Officer. “Thus far, the feedback from the community has been well received; the Southside residents are eager to begin the program.”

For more information, contact Amber Weaver, Chief Sustainability Officer, at aweaver@ashevillenc.govor 828-271-6141. For more information about the City’s Office of Sustainability, visithttp://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Sustainability.aspx.

This document is available on Asheville City Source at http://coablog.ashevillenc.gov/2015/10/city-of-asheville-launches-recycling-pilot-project-in-asheville-housing-authority-communities.