COMOsustainability

Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table the Natural Way Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, and few things say “thankful” like bringing a little of the outdoors to your table. This year, consider skipping the aisle of plastic turkeys, glittery banners, and foam pumpkins that end up in a landfill by December. Natural decor looks beautiful, costs little (or nothing), and leaves no mess behind when the holiday ends. Why Go Natural? Gimmicky or cheap decorations tend to last only a season or two before they fade, break, or fall out of style. Most are made of plastic, foam, or other materials that can’t be recycled. Natural elements, on the other hand, are at their best right now. With autumn leaves in every shade of red, orange, and gold, nature has already done the decorating for you. What to Gather Pine needles and pine cones. Tuck sprigs of pine into a centerpiece or scatter cones down the length of the table for texture and a fresh woodsy scent. Cones can also be tied with twine and used as place card holders. Acorns. Small but charming, acorns can be set at each place setting, piled in a glass bowl, or sprinkled around candles. Pair them with oak leaves for a classic autumn look. Squash and gourds. Pumpkins, butternut, acorn squash, and decorative gourds in assorted sizes and colors make a bold, budget-friendly centerpiece. Stack them on a tray, hollow a small one out as a vase for flowers, or line them up as a runner. Dried leaves. Colorful fallen leaves can be arranged along the table, tucked under glassware, or strung into a simple garland. Gather them on a dry day, and press them between heavy books for a few days if you’d like them to stay flat and vibrant. A Few Easy Ideas - Fill a wooden bowl or basket with pine cones, small gourds, and acorns for an instant centerpiece. - Create a table runner from a line of leaves and mini pumpkins. - Use a small squash or pumpkin as a candle holder. - Write guests’ names on leaves with a metallic pen for no-fuss place cards. - Hang a branch from the ceiling or mantel and drape it with leaves and dried elements. The Best Part: What Happens Afterward When the last slice of pie has been served, you don’t have to pack anything away or throw it out. Your decorations can simply return to the cycle they came from: - Eat it. Squash and pumpkins that haven’t been cut or treated can be roasted, turned into soup, or baked into pie. - Compost it. Leaves, gourds, and other plant material break down easily in a compost pile or bin. - Return it to nature. Scatter pine cones, acorns, and leaves in your yard or a wooded area. Acorns in particular make a nice snack for squirrels and other wildlife. A Thankful Table Decorating with nature costs less, creates less waste, and connects your gathering to the season itself. This Thanksgiving, let the colors of fall set the scene, and enjoy knowing that when the holiday is over, nothing on your table has to end up in the trash.

Cook Smart, Save More: Energy-Saving Tips for Your Holiday Kitchen As you prepare to cook and share delicious meals with loved ones, remember that kitchen time can also mean higher energy use. The good news? A few simple habits can trim your energy bill without trimming a single dish from your menu. Here’s how to serve up a fantastic feast while saving energy (and money!). Stovetop Savvy Keep lids on. Tightly fitted lids on pots and pans trap heat, so food cooks faster and uses less energy. Bonus: your kitchen stays cooler, too. Match the pan to the burner. A small pot on a large burner wastes heat that escapes around the sides. Choose a burner that fits the bottom of your pan. Use less water. When boiling potatoes, vegetables, or pasta, use only as much water as you need. Less water heats up faster. Turn it down early. Once water boils, lower the heat to a simmer. The food cooks just as well, and you use less energy. Oven Know-How Preheat smartly. Five to eight minutes is usually enough. There’s no need to preheat at all for broiling or roasting. Minimize oven openings. Every time you open the oven door, the temperature can drop as much as 25°F, and the oven works harder to recover. Turn on the oven light and peek through the window instead, and plan your checks carefully. Cook in batches. If you’re baking several dishes, such as rolls, casseroles, and pies, fit as many as you can into the oven at once, or bake them back to back while it’s already hot. Turn off early. Most dishes will finish cooking in the oven’s leftover heat. Try switching it off a few minutes before the timer goes off. Skip the foil on the bottom. Lining oven racks or the floor with foil can block airflow and cause uneven cooking, which means longer cook times. Small Appliance Superstars Use your microwave. Smaller dishes cook faster and use less than half the energy of a full-sized oven. It’s perfect for reheating leftovers, softening butter, or steaming vegetables. Try a slow cooker, air fryer, or toaster oven. These appliances use far less energy than a full-size oven, and they free up oven space for the big dishes. A slow cooker is great for keeping mashed potatoes or gravy warm without tying up a burner. Pressure cookers save time and energy. They can cut cooking time dramatically for soups, stews, and tougher cuts of meat. Refrigerator and Freezer Tips Cool before storing. Let hot foods cool slightly before refrigerating them to reduce your fridge’s workload. Just don’t leave food out longer than two hours for food safety. Check your seals. Make sure fridge and freezer doors seal tightly. Try the dollar bill test: close the door on a bill, and if it slides out easily, it may be time to replace the gasket. Don’t overpack, don’t under-pack. Air needs to circulate in the fridge, but a full freezer holds cold better than an empty one. Thaw in the fridge. Planning ahead and thawing your turkey or other frozen foods in the refrigerator helps keep the fridge cold and means less cooking time later. Keep the door shut. Decide what you need before you open it. Cold air escapes quickly, and your fridge has to work to replace it. Cleanup Counts Run a full dishwasher. Wait until it’s full, and skip the heated dry setting by opening the door and letting dishes air dry. Scrape, don’t rinse. Most modern dishwashers don’t need pre-rinsed dishes, which saves hot water. Use cold water when you can. Wash your hands and rinse produce with cold water, and save the hot water for what really needs it. Quick Reference: Your Energy-Saving Checklist ☐ Lids on pots and pans ☐ Preheat for 5–8 minutes only ☐ Plan oven checks to avoid opening the door ☐ Use the microwave or small appliances when possible ☐ Let food cool slightly before refrigerating ☐ Test your fridge and freezer seals ☐ Run the dishwasher only when it’s full Learn More For more energy-saving tips, visit: como.gov/utilities/columbia-… Think differently. Think sustainably. Think thankful.

𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀. If you’ve carved your pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, you probably know that after a few weeks they start looking a little worse for the wear. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 — instead, compost it or offer it up to friends with backyard chickens. Even if you don’t have a compost pile, simply smashing your old jack-o’-lantern and burying it in your garden will help amend the soil with nutrients. 𝘼𝙣 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙥𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙨: Instead of carving a pumpkin, embellish it with a non-scary design so that it’ll look festive through Thanksgiving. Or use a sharpie to draw a jack-o’-lantern face on one side, then after Halloween, simply turn it around so that it can be part of a festive harvest display. While you can’t compost pumpkins that have typical craft paint on them, they will last longer! audubon.org/news/pumpkin-bir… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.

🎃 Happy Halloween, Columbia! 🎃 Wishing you a spooktacular night filled with tricks, treats, and lots of frightful fun. Stay safe and have a fa-boo-lous time celebrating this festive holiday with your loved ones!

𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬: 🍂 Don’t Bag Those Leaves! 🍂 As leaves make their annual journey from treetops to the ground, experts say the best thing for your lawn—and the environment—is to leave them where they fall. Why? 🌱 Nutrient Boost: Leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, helping your grass stay healthy. 🐞 Wildlife Habitat: Leaves provide shelter for insects, spiders, and even small animals. ♻️ Reduce Waste: About 8 million tons of leaves end up in landfills each year. Leaving them out keeps those nutrients in your yard and out of the trash. Tips for handling leaves: 🍂 - Shred or run over a thin layer with your mower so they break down faster. - Rake excess leaves into garden beds to create free, nutrient-rich mulch. - Avoid thick layers on grass—they block sunlight and can harm it. 🍃🍂By leaving leaves on the ground, you’re giving back to your lawn, helping wildlife, and supporting a more sustainable environment. 🌿

Supporting wildlife and conservation can be as easy as skipping your yard work 🍁 By leaving your leaves, you provide: 🍁 Crucial winter habitat for butterflies, moths, bees, and fireflies 🍁 Nutrients vital for healthy soil 🍁 Free mulch that holds in moisture and keeps weeds down It’s also one less bag headed to the landfill. #LeaveTheLeaves #WildlifeHabitat

With Thanksgiving Just Around The Corner... Learn How To Reduce Food Waste. Food waste is a huge problem in the United States. The good news: Each of us can help solve it. Consider this: A typical household of four tosses out about $1,600 worth of food annually. Up to 40% of the food that's produced never makes it to our mouths, and all this waste is enough to fill the highest skyscraper in Chicago 44 times a year, according to an estimate by the Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, 1 in 8 Americans struggle with food scarcity. Learn more here: npr.org/2019/12/10/786867315… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗳𝘂𝗹.

Nearly one third of our food ends up in the trash can. There is hope, however, in the form of worms, which naturally convert organic waste into fertilizer. Matthew Ross details the steps we can all take to vermicompost at home -- and why it makes good business sense to do so. youtu.be/V8miLevRI_o?si=kr2G…

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙? You can help your watershed by understanding that you are part of the solution to water quality problems. Your actions affect the water and environment around us. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗕𝗠𝗣'𝘀) 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻. - Never dispose of yard waste in a nearby creek or allow yard waste to be washed down or put into the storm drains. - Do not sweep or blow grass clippings and leaves along the street or into a storm drain. - Do not dump grass or yard waste onto a creek bank or area where it will be washed into creeks and streams. - Control soil on your property by planting native trees and ground cover to stabilize erosion-prone areas. - Plant and maintain natural vegetation to help water quality by soaking up rainfall, reducing runoff, and retaining sediment. - Use phosphorus-free fertilizers. Never allow pesticides, fertilizers, or any other materials to be washed down or put into storm drains. - Pick up your pet’s wastes. WHY? Learn more @ como.gov/sustainability/pet-… 𝗜𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝗻, 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 @ como.gov/watersheds 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘀 🌿🌎 #WatershedWarrior #CleanWaterStartsWithYou

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿🍃 🍂As leaves begin to fall and autumn yardwork ramps up, the City is asking residents to help keep stormwater inlets clear of debris. These inlets—located along curbs and streets—are essential for managing rainwater and preventing flooding. But when covered by fallen leaves or other materials, they can become clogged and cause water to back up into streets and yards. Why It’s Important This Season: 💠During the fall, stormwater inlets are especially vulnerable to blockages from leaf litter, twigs, and grass clippings. When these materials accumulate, they can prevent proper drainage and increase the risk of localized flooding, even during light rain events. 🍁 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆: - Don’t rake leaves into the street. Leaves in the street can block storm drains and contribute to flooding. - Rake or mulch onto your lawn. Leaves can benefit your lawn by decomposing into the soil. Use a mower to mulch them into smaller pieces for faster breakdown. - Compost. Composting is a sustainable way to turn leaves into nutrient-rich soil for gardens and landscaping. - Consider leaving some leaves. A light layer of leaves around trees or in garden beds can protect soil and provide habitat for beneficial insects and small wildlife. 🚧 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: - Check storm inlets near your home regularly - especially after windy days, storms, or yardwork. - Clear away visible debris like leaves, twigs, or trash covering the grates. - Report any blocked or damaged inlets to the City if you cannot safely clear them. - Never dump anything down a storm drain. These drains lead directly to local creeks and streams without treatment. By managing leaves responsibly and keeping storm inlets clear, residents can help prevent street flooding, reduce pollution, support biodiversity, and protect local waterways. 𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 @ 𝟱𝟳𝟯-𝟰𝟰𝟭-𝟱𝟱𝟯𝟬 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 - 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆:como.gov/CMS/WebForms/form.p…

City adds second Ripple Glass bin for glass recycling!!! There’s now a second Ripple Glass drop-off bin, thanks to a partnership between City Utilities, Ripple Glass, and the University of Missouri. 📍 Drop-off location: 1242 Ashland Rd (MU campus) maps.app.goo.gl/tpQCnTkMsA3w… ✅ Accepted: Transparent glass bottles and jars, any color. Empty and free of food or liquid. Labels can stay on; lids and caps go in the trash. 🚫 Not accepted: Opaque glass, porcelain, window glass, boxes, or plastic bags. Items too large for the porthole should not be left on or beside the bin. Slide items through the porthole one at a time. ⚠️ Glass is not accepted in curbside collection or blue recycling bags. #ColumbiaMO #RippleGlass #GlassRecycling Learn more about the trial program and drop-off guidelines here: ayrs.io/qm0c2c

🌳 Free trees for Columbia residents! 🌳 Good news, neighbors! The City of Columbia is giving away trees to residents in select areas, and your household might be eligible. 👉 Visit canopy.como.gov (or scan the QR code on the flyer) to check if you qualify. 🌱 Households can reserve up to FOUR trees while supplies last, so don’t wait too long! 📍 Pick-up: Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31) from 10am to 12pm United Community Builders, 1801 Towne Dr, Columbia, MO 65202 Let’s grow our tree canopy together! Please share with friends and neighbors who might want a tree. 💚

The chasing arrow symbol is unregulated and does not mean an item is recyclable in the city's recycling program. Help the City of Columbia maximize the value of recyclable materials transferred outside of the City. - Millions of dollars are spent to convince consumers that items and packaging are easily recycled when many are not. This encourages people to put items in their blue recycling bag that negatively affect the value of easily recyclable items. - Large volumes of unwanted items can lead to the city not being able to sell its recyclables. - If there are too many unwanted items in the recycling, the sorting becomes inefficient and too costly to get the unmarketable items out. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest. We are collecting the following types of recyclable materials: ✅ #1 Transparent Plastic bottles (such as sports drink, water, or soda bottles) ✅ #2 Plastic Containers (such as detergent jugs, milk jugs, or shampoo bottles) ✅ Aluminum beverage cans ✅ Metal food cans 🧢Plastic caps can either be recycled by being screwed onto the respective bottles or thrown away in the trash. 📦 𝗠𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, can still be bundled and left on the curb for collection - 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗣: These four everyday items 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 be recycled with the city recycling program and need to go into your trash container. 1 - 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 2 - 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲𝘀 - 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 3 - 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘀 - 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 4 - 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 We are collecting the following recyclable materials: ✅ Plastic bottles (such as sports drink, water, or soda bottles) ✅ Plastic containers (such as detergent jugs, milk jugs or shampoo bottles) ✅ Aluminum beverage cans ✅ Metal food cans 🧢Plastic caps can either be recycled by being screwed onto the respective bottles or thrown away in the trash. 📦 𝗠𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, can still be bundled and left on the curb for collection - 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest. Think differently. Think sustainably. Think reduce, reuse, repurpose, repair and recycle.

GOT THESE? WE WANT THEM IN YOUR BLUE BAG! We are collecting the following recyclable materials: ✅ Plastic bottles (such as sports drink, water, or soda bottles) ✅ Plastic containers (such as detergent jugs, milk jugs or shampoo bottles) ✅ Aluminum beverage cans ✅ Metal food cans 🧢Plastic caps can either be recycled by being screwed onto the respective bottles or thrown away in the trash. 📦 𝗠𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, can still be bundled and left on the curb for collection - 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest.

𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗘, 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 & 𝗥𝗘𝗨𝗦𝗘: 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙄𝘾𝙀𝙎 𝙊𝙉 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆 𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉 𝘼 𝘾𝘼𝙍𝘿𝘽𝙊𝘼𝙍𝘿 𝘽𝙊𝙓 It's best practice to break your cardboard down to optimize the space. Follow these easy steps to break it down properly: 1. Remove cat.🐈 2. Take your box and turn it upside down. Run a box cutter along the center bottom seam, slicing through the packing tape. 3. Repeat this under the two flaps on each end of the box, freeing the tape at the edges. 4. Pull all four flaps straight up, so that all edges, on either end, move freely up and down. 5. Lightly push and twist in until the box collapses on itself—flattened and ready to be stacked. Learn more about what you 𝗖𝗔𝗡/𝗖𝗔𝗡'𝗧/𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 recycle with the city recycling program here: como.gov/utilities/columbias… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻.... 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲. #comorecycleright

🌳𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆!🌳From the amazing Columbia Parks and Recreation - Infrastructure for healthy trees! Construction at North Village Park continues with installation of structural cells to provide non-compacted and organic soil for tree root devlopment under the perimeter park sidewalks. Healthy trees have been championed by Columbia Parks and Recreation staff from early concept development phases, to provide shade and green space for all future generations to enjoy. North Village Park is located at 210 Orr Street and is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Image 1: 10 foot by 20 foot excavated pit with tree root cells inside, but not backfilled. Image 2: 10 foot by 20 foot excavated pit with tree root cells inside and backfilled with approved tree soil mix. Image 3: Sectional diagram showing deep root cells under pavement to protect tree roots for maximum growth potential. Unlike traditional street trees that are limited by compacted root balls and small soil volumes, this design provides ample underground space for roots to spread - allowing the tree to grow larger, live longer, and better serve the community.

City adds second Ripple Glass bin for glass recycling!!! There’s now a second Ripple Glass drop-off bin, thanks to a partnership between City Utilities, Ripple Glass, and the University of Missouri. 📍 Drop-off location: 1242 Ashland Rd (MU campus) maps.app.goo.gl/tpQCnTkMsA3w… ✅ Accepted: Transparent glass bottles and jars, any color. Empty and free of food or liquid. Labels can stay on; lids and caps go in the trash. 🚫 Not accepted: Opaque glass, porcelain, window glass, boxes, or plastic bags. Items too large for the porthole should not be left on or beside the bin. Slide items through the porthole one at a time. ⚠️ Glass is not accepted in curbside collection or blue recycling bags. #ColumbiaMO #RippleGlass #GlassRecycling Learn more about the trial program and drop-off guidelines here: ayrs.io/qm0c2c

🎃 Fewer wrappers. Same sugar rush. 👻 Swap in these greener treats: 📦 Nerds, Dots, Junior Mints. They still come in recyclable mini cardboard boxes. Smarties, Milk Duds, and Whoppers come in paper boxes too. ✨ Hershey’s Kisses. Foil wrapping beats plastic. 🌱 Alter Eco truffles. Their wrappers are compostable. 📝 Pixy Stix and Bits-O-Honey. Both come wrapped in waxed paper. Same candy bowl, way less trash. 🗑️🚫 What are you handing out this year? 👇 🔗 thesimpleenvironmentalist.co…... #EcoFriendlyHalloween #PlasticFree #TrickOrTreat

The average American throws away more than $700 worth of food every year. 🥗 In many cases, the problem comes down to how we store it. #foodwaste #climateactio #sustainability