Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
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Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.
NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!
Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.
- Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].

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Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
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Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

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Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
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Thursday May 26, 2022Slice of Life Comedy presents the return of comedy nights at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge in Asheville, NC.
(Slice of Life Comedy has been producing quality, premier comedy shows at the Orange Peel for over 10 years)
Pulp Lounge is located in the Orange Peel’s basement at 103 Hilliard Ave, around the corner from the Box Office entrance
Hosted by one of Asheville’s beloved comics,Cody Hughes Featuring James Harrod:James Harrod is a stand up comedian originally from Raleigh now living in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to hosting the Comedy Freakshow every Tuesday night at The Odditorium, he also performs around the east coast opening for comedians like Sean Patton, Yedoye Travis, Michael Palascak, Brandie Posey and many more. Out of all the comics in his scene he was voted most needy and desperate for attention.
Show Time: May 26, 8:30p (Doors at 8p— music from Buzz Radio Asheville “All Asheville Music and Comedy, All the Time”)
Ticket: $15 Tickets at theorangepeel.net and door
Craft Drink specials & snacks available
[Comics sign up to perform at door. Performing comics get in free (+free year membership). New-to-venue performers get 3-5m. Regular comics get as much time as available. Look for light, check with Cody when you get there for time and lineup]
Contact Michele Scheve at [email protected] for more info/any questions or sign up early or request a future feature comedy (paid 20m) spot.
*Pulp is one of Asheville’s finest craft cocktail lounges, located underneath The Orange Peel. This self acclaimed Bourbon bar has 284 different fine bourbon/whiskey selections, which we’re almost sure it’s the most in the entire state. Bourbon connoisseurs from thousands of miles can’t believe their eyes, but don’t worry, The Pulp has a little bit of everything.
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
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Grindfest is BACK!
GrindFest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship.
Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 4-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville. A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement
Over 30 sponsors will join together to celebrate this amazingly diverse and entertaining event. This year’s GRINDfest will showcase: ● World-renowned Slutty Vegan (Black, woman-owned vegan food truck recently featured in Essence Magazine) ● Curated Beer Garden by Highland Brewing ● Opportunity Tent featuring incentives, career development programs, grants, scholarships, and funding resources for businesses ● Food Trucks ● DJ Battle ● Poetry Slam ● Drag Show ● Outdoor Games ● Greater Asheville Cookoff (wings, chili, and BBQ categories); card games, and so much more!
The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. We will see you there! Let’s make HISTORY together!
Join the Chamber in kicking off GRINDfest 2022 hosted by Black Wall Street AVL!
BLACK WALL STREET AVL, a North Carolina based non-profit organization, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual GRINDfest – a celebration of local Black business and entrepreneurship. Black Wall Street starts, grows and expands businesses, owners and networks to Honor History and Build Wealth together.
GRINDfest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship. A block-party style event will take place on 8 River Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.
The ribbon cutting/kickoff will feature Brian Hamilton, the founder of Brian Hamilton Foundation and its program, Inmates to Entrepreneurs. Come enjoy drinks, snacks and help kickoff this year’s festival.
FESTIVAL DATES: MAY 27-30, 2022
Parking Instructions: Parking is located behind, in front of and across the street from the Black Wall Street AVL Building at 8 River Arts Place.

Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
|

Grindfest is BACK!
GrindFest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship.
Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 4-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville. A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement
Over 30 sponsors will join together to celebrate this amazingly diverse and entertaining event. This year’s GRINDfest will showcase: ● World-renowned Slutty Vegan (Black, woman-owned vegan food truck recently featured in Essence Magazine) ● Curated Beer Garden by Highland Brewing ● Opportunity Tent featuring incentives, career development programs, grants, scholarships, and funding resources for businesses ● Food Trucks ● DJ Battle ● Poetry Slam ● Drag Show ● Outdoor Games ● Greater Asheville Cookoff (wings, chili, and BBQ categories); card games, and so much more!
The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. We will see you there! Let’s make HISTORY together!
The Asheville Tourists in conjunction with the Western NC Black Business Expo are proud to announce Black Business Nights Presented by UScellular.
During five designated nights during the 2022 season five local Black-owned Businesses will be able to showcase their products or professional services on the concourse during Asheville Tourists Games. The first featured game is this Saturday, May 28. The remaining four games are scheduled for June 15, June 29, July 26, and August 12.
This Saturday’s game at McCormick Field will feature the following local Black-owned Businesses: HOTWORX, The Plug Chiropractic, Makeba Loving Hands, Rita Lee & Associates, and Upstate Essential Solutions, LLC.
The initiative is part of Minor League Baseballs “The Nine” outreach platform. Prior to the 2022 season Minor League Baseball launched “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.
It is named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946
The Western NC Black Business Expo is a creation of the Western NC Minority Business Association. The WNCMBA is a non-profit organization created to advocate and promote the development of minority-owned businesses in Western North Carolina through networking events, workshops, and annual business expos.
Tickets for this Saturday’s game are on sale at TouristsTickets.com and will feature the ZOOperstars entertainment.
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
|

Grindfest is BACK!
GrindFest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship.
Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 4-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville. A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement
Over 30 sponsors will join together to celebrate this amazingly diverse and entertaining event. This year’s GRINDfest will showcase: ● World-renowned Slutty Vegan (Black, woman-owned vegan food truck recently featured in Essence Magazine) ● Curated Beer Garden by Highland Brewing ● Opportunity Tent featuring incentives, career development programs, grants, scholarships, and funding resources for businesses ● Food Trucks ● DJ Battle ● Poetry Slam ● Drag Show ● Outdoor Games ● Greater Asheville Cookoff (wings, chili, and BBQ categories); card games, and so much more!
The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. We will see you there! Let’s make HISTORY together!
NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!
Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.
- Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].

Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may


