We talked trash with y’all earlier this year when we brought you behind the scenes of a local recycling plant, but how about compost?
Over the last 4 years, both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County have been steadily ramping up campaigns to reduce food waste, and this month they’re piloting a joint community solution: a free food scrap drop-off program.
The City of Asheville launched its Food Policy Action Plan back in 2017. | Photo courtesy of the City of Asheville
How to use this new service:
- Consult this guide to determine what’s compostable. Generally, any organic materials like fruit + vegetable scraps, expired food, coffee grounds, cardboard, etc. are viable choices, but be sure to remove produce stickers, rubber bands, ties, bags, and plastic.
- Sign up with the city or Asheville GreenWorks for a short information session and get a free compost pail to use for collecting food scraps.
- There are currently 2 public drop-off locations for Buncombe residents, both of which require filling out a short registration form:
- The Buncombe County Landfill, 85 Panther Branch Rd., Alexander, Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 Washington Carver Ave., Open Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun., 12-4 p.m.
A waste audit in progress. | Video grab from Buncombe County, Gif by AVLtoday
Why this matters:
- A waste audit conducted earlier last month at a Buncombe County building revealed that 67% of its landfill-bound waste could be recycled or composted. Another audit conducted in June at 3 Asheville Parks & Recreation facilities found that 48% of what was in the garbage could’ve been composted.
- When food scraps go into the garbage instead of composting, they release the greenhouse gas methane, which is a substance that has been linked to climate change.
- Methane is not released when compost decomposes above ground, plus the materials are super valuable ingredients for farmers + gardeners.
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Today
- Pilobolus: BIG FIVE-OH! | Fri., Oct. 8-Mon., Oct. 10 | Various times | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave. | $55+ | The dance company celebrates its 50th anniversary. 💃
Saturday
- Burnpile Harvest Fest | Sat., Oct. 9 | 1-6 p.m. | Forestry Camp, 10 Shady Oak Dr. | $40+ | Bring proof of vaccination to this event featuring beer from 50+ breweries and a full day of live entertainment from Expo Seventy, Deserta, Grip, and more. 🍻
- TAUK | Sat., Oct. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. | $20+ | Bring proof of vaccination to enjoy an all-instrumental blend of progressive rock, hip-hop, and jazz. 🎶
- 5th Annual Haunted Hills Ride | Sat., Oct. 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Harley-Davidson of Asheville, 20 Patton Cove Rd., Swannanoa | $10+ | Support local veterans at this event featuring vendors, live music, raffles + door prizes. 🎃
- TL Lange Retrospective Exhibition | Sat., Oct. 9 | 12-7 p.m. | Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St. | Free | Come view 20 never-before-seen paintings by deceased figurative and abstract artist TL Lange. 🖼️
- Intro to Photography | Sat., Oct. 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd. | Free | Up your photography skills at this all-levels workshop. 📸
- 2021 Kenilworth Artists Association Studio Tour | Sat., Oct. 9-Sun., Oct. 10 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Kenilworth | Free | This self-guided studio tour for the serious art buyer or casual browser ft. 26 artists showcasing their works in watercolor, acrylic, jewelry, pottery, glass, woodcraft, photography, and more. Ⓟ
Sunday
- Thievery Corporation: The Outernational | Sun., Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. | $47+ | Bring your proof of vaccination to this show featuring electronic music from the iconic Grammy-award winners.
- Down Dog Pup-Up Market | Sun., Oct. 10 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | This outdoor art shopping experience curated by Down Dog and Asheville’s Dream Team will feature local artists and makers plus mimosas, yoga discounts + other fun surprises. Ⓟ
Plan Ahead
- Insight Full: Group Speed Coaching | Thurs., Nov. 4 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | The Masonic Temple | $55 | Join certified coaches Wanda Marie + Lesley King for live speed coaching to talk business challenges, personal obstacles, and big goals. Advance tickets only. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Lessons are based on real-life situations and can be completed in just 10 minutes a day, so you can squeeze them in anytime, anywhere | Photo provided by Babbel
Ever wonder what your favorite players do in their downtime? Well, New York Mets players Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil have been learning new languages. Thanks to Babbel, the No. 1 language learning app, they’ve made a lot of progress in 3 weeks.
Babbel’s 10-minute, interactive lessons include videos, games, podcasts + more and are designed to help users start speaking quickly. Sign up for Babbel and get an exclusive deal for Babbel’s Fall Classic sale (60% off a subscription). Ⓟ
Weather
- 69º | Thunderstorms | 70% chance of rain
Civic
- Buncombe County has launched a community survey to gain feedback on a variety of its services from economic development to park facilities. The survey will be distributed to a randomly selected sample of residents, and the answers will “help drive key initiatives, programs, and identify other opportunities and challenges.” (Mountain Xpress)
- 4 new solar projects have been approved by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. More than 300,000 kilowatts worth of new solar panels will be installed at Black Mountain’s Carver Community Center, UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center, the East Asheville Library, and County firing range. ☀️ (Mountain Xpress)
Show
- The Miss Gay Latina Asheville pageant returns to the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for its 11th year on Sun., Nov. 20. Tickets, which often sell out far in advance, are on sale now.
Cause
- The Foundation DIY Skatepark is having a fundraiser this weekend. The festivities kick off Fri., Oct. 8 with a photography exhibit from Joe Brook, and the following day includes a Tum Yeto skate sesh, DJ sets from Mike Martinez + DJ Juan Bounce, and a benefit show at The Grey Eagle. 🛹
Drink
- Cellarest Beer Project will put its updated patio into action at its inaugural “Cellarfest” on Oct. 16. The event kicks off at 12 p.m. and will feature live music from Dirty Bird, Reggie Headen, Jason DeCristofaro, and King Garbage, plus Oktoberfest-inspired food from Kinfolk + lots of new beer releases.
- Since 1996, Highland’s Cold Mountain has been a cherished holiday treat in Asheville and WNC. Highland is celebrating the 25th anniversary with a weekend of festivities (Nov. 11-15) including release events, special Cold Mountain variants + packaged beer available for pre-order. Access passes and pre-order sales go live at noon today. 🍺 Ⓟ
Older Adults
- Movement for Life Physical Therapy will host the Knock Out Parkinson’s Challenge at its 4 locations on Sun., Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event includes free 20-minute workouts, as well as giveaways and raffle prizes.
DYK
- There’s an estimated $919 million worth of unclaimed property (think: bank accounts, wages, utility deposits, stocks, bonds, etc.) in North Carolina. Claim Your Cash, part of the NC Cash Program, helps reunite residents with these unclaimed assets. Want to see if you qualify? Check here.
Shop
- The Asheville Radio Museum is partnering with the CC-AWA to produce the first annual Vintage Radio Flea Market on Sun., Oct. 23 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at AB-Tech. Offerings will include restored + restorable vintage radios and parts, accessories and books. Interested in selling? Email Ron Beaver.
- Local outdoor gear manufacturer Astral has unveiled a limited edition lifejacket that raises money for the Green River Access Fund. 10% of the proceeds will go towards the nonprofit’s mission of maintaining permanent public access to the Green River, a waterway that’s been a formative space for many local paddlers. 🌊
Biz
- Asheville’s oldest coworking center Mojo Coworking will expand its office space by nearly 50% when it moves to the top floor of 81 Broadway. The new 12,000 sqft office and event space will feature wood floors, exposed brick walls, and double the number of private offices.
Asked
Edu
- Western Carolina University's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines recently reached $5 million in grants for its research + work in solving coastal problems. 🌊 Ⓟ
The South Slope building that formerly hosted High Test Deli has a fresh yellow paint job, and soon it’ll be serving up pan-Latin fare, including arepas, as well as Caribbean-inspired dishes. Named after the small Latin American birds, Little Chango has proclaimed its motto as “Gregarious by nature. Gluttonous by choice.”
According to proprietor Iris Rodriguez, these namesake birds, aka grackles, are able to thrive due to their loud, gregarious, and food centric nature — much like the restaurateurs themselves. Follow the restaurant’s adventure on its newly launched Instagram page. 🐦
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Want to get deeper into the weeds of local compost options? Check out this guide we put together, which shares private composting services + backyard compost options. We also highlight local restaurants who are committed to composting.
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