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City of Columbia, MO - Office of Sustainability

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City of Columbia, MO - Office of Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is one of the most important challenges facing future generations. Investing time and funds in these issues is not a trend, but a lifestyle. We are dedicated to environmental improvements that foster a sustainable future and lead to social and economical improvements in the community which we serve. Our commitment is to work locally to improve the social, economical, and environmental well-being of our community.

06/24/2026

🐱🌱 Small changes can lead to lasting impact.

For Community Resilience Organizer Nina Thomas, sustainability is all about building habits one step at a time. Each summer, she focuses on adopting a few new environmentally friendly practices that can become part of her daily routine.

This year, Nina is finding creative ways to give everyday items a second life by repurposing cardboard tubes, plastic bottles, old t-shirts, and other materials into homemade cat toys. By reusing items before recycling or disposing of them, she is reducing waste while creating something fun for her feline companions.

Nina is also taking on a new challenge by growing vegetables in her very first garden. Growing food at home can reduce packaging waste, lower transportation impacts, and provide fresh, homegrown produce throughout the season.

Whether it's reusing materials, starting a garden, or trying another sustainable habit, every small step helps build a more sustainable future. 🌿

What new sustainable habit are you trying this summer?

06/23/2026

Join Us Tonight! Creek Week Event! 🎣 Fishing Night

Whether you're brand new to fishing or just want a fun way to spend time outdoors, this event is for you!
🧢 Bring your own gear or use the equipment provided.
🎓 Learn some fishing basics with hands-on help.
🎣 Practice your new skills right away—no fishing permit needed!

📍 Boone County Nature School
Boone County Nature School, 8989 S Tom Bass Rd, Columbia, MO
📅 June 23, 2026 | ⏰ 6–7 p.m.

Learn fishing basics and practice your skills — gear provided if needed!

06/23/2026

𝗚𝗢𝗧 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧? Wondering what you can do with unwanted latex paint?

🔹 Harden the paint with cat litter. Add equal parts cat litter to the latex paint in the can (if the paint can is almost full, you may have to pour some of the paint into a separate container). Stir the cat litter into the paint until it thickens and won't spill--allow the mixture to sit for about one hour. Toss the dried paint/can into the trash. Be sure to remove the lid from the can.
🔹 If you don't have much paint left in the can, you can just remove the lid and let the paint dry out on its own. Toss the dried paint/can into the trash. Be sure to remove the lid from the can.
🔹 There are also commercial paint hardeners that you can purchase if you prefer not to use cat litter. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions.

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿:This applies only to latex paints. Oil-based paints should be delivered to the Hazardous Waste Collection at 1313 Lakeview Avenue on collection days. See the link below for the operation hours of the HHW collection facility

https://www.como.gov/utilities/columbias-solid-waste-utility/household-hazardous-waste/

If you'd like to learn more information on what you CAN recycle with the City of Columbia, MO; including Household Hazardous Waste.

Contact the Solid Waste Utility @ 573-874-CITY (2489) for all of your questions about City residential solid waste/recycling services.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹.

06/23/2026

Quench your thirst and help water some community gardens by attending the upcoming Community Garden Coalition Al-Pint fundraiser at Alpine Shop!!

Thursday, June 25, 5-7 p.m.

For $10 (with all proceeds going directly to Community Garden Coalition) receive a novelty pint glass and two pours of a local brew or NA option!

Thanks for your support!!☀️💦🥦🍅🍻🍹🌱🌿

06/22/2026

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸! 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁!🎬 Ragtag Movie Night & Panel Discussion

📍 Ragtag Cinema
📅 June 22, 2026 | ⏰ 6 p.m.

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆: 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

🔗 https://ragtagcinema.org/

06/22/2026

Columbia Water & Light: Do you have landscaping space between the sidewalk and street? Instead of turf, select drought-tolerant native plants, small native trees or native bushes and surround with mulch. Boost curb appeal and water savings.

Native plants have very long root systems. Some native plants' roots reach 10 to 15 feet deep no matter how hard the soil! Turfgrass roots grow less than a foot and even shorter in Missouri clay soils. Planting native plants instead of turfgrass allows for more stormwater to be absorbed during and after a storm, reducing the frequency of local flooding. These huge root systems make native plants the best at filtering pollutants from the soil and stormwater runoff, protecting our waterways and us.

Learn more about saving water here: https://www.como.gov/utilities/columbia-power-partners/water-conservation/outside-water-conservation/

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 www.grownative.org 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

06/22/2026

🌱 Sustainability starts at home, and even small actions can make a big difference.

This summer, Environmental Programs Coordinator Lelande Rehard and his family are focusing on reuse while tackling some major spring cleaning projects. As they build a new shed and clean out their garage, they're committing to repairing and restoring old tools, sports equipment, and even a collection of well-loved pool floaties.

Items that can be brought back to "like new" condition will be donated to local reStores, helping ensure these organizations receive quality items they can sell to support their mission. By choosing to repair, reuse, and donate, the Rehard family is keeping valuable materials out of the waste stream while giving them a second life in the community.

What sustainable goal are you working toward this summer? ♻️

06/21/2026

🌽🥕 Supporting local farmers is at the top of Sustainability Specialist Tyler Gerstheimer’s summer sustainability goals.

This summer, Tyler plans to source as much of his food as possible from our amazing local farmers market. With a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products available from local vendors, shopping locally is a great way to support small farmers and strengthen our local economy.

Buying food closer to home also helps reduce environmental impacts associated with long-distance transportation. As an added bonus, locally grown produce is often harvested at peak ripeness, delivering exceptional flavor and freshness.

This summer, consider visiting your local farmers market and discovering the benefits of eating local. 🌱🍅

What local foods are you looking forward to enjoying this season?

06/21/2026

♻️ RECYCLE SMART: BATTERY SAFETY MATTERS! 🔋Before you toss an old battery, take a moment to make sure it’s handled safely. Improperly disposed batteries can spark fires, damage equipment, and pose safety risks to workers and the community.

⚠️ Never place lithium-ion, rechargeable, or button cell batteries in your curbside recycling blue bag.

Where to Take Your Batteries:

🔋 Alkaline Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
• Can be safely placed in the trash.
• Recycling options are available at retailers such as Staples and Batteries Plus.

📱 Embedded Lithium-Ion Batteries
(Phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices with built-in batteries)
• Recycle through e-waste programs at stores like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Staples.

🔄 Rechargeable, Lithium, and Button Cell Batteries
• Drop off for free at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Staples.
• Be sure to follow store guidelines for taping battery terminals and bagging batteries before drop-off.

🚗 Lead-Acid Batteries
• Accepted free of charge at most auto parts stores.

🚲 Electric Vehicle & E-Bike Batteries
• Contact the manufacturer or dealer for recycling instructions.
• Local options may include Cyclex and Walt’s Bike Shop for e-bike batteries.

🏠 FREE Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
• Lithium-ion batteries are accepted free of charge at Columbia’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. https://ow.ly/76wo50WJPCr

🔥 Battery Safety Tips
• Store batteries in a cool, dry place.
• Tape the terminals of lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries before recycling.
• Keep damaged or swollen batteries away from flammable materials.
• Never place batteries in recycling blue bags where they can be crushed and start fires.

Small actions make a big difference. Help protect our waste and recycling workers, prevent fires, and keep valuable materials out of the landfill.

Learn more about battery safety at BatterySafetyNow.org.

♻️🔋

06/20/2026

🌱 Do you farm in the Greater Bonne Femme Watershed, or do you know a farmer making a positive impact on water quality and environmental stewardship?

The Greater Bonne Femme Watershed Initiative (GBFWI) is now accepting nominations for its inaugural Water-Friendly Farmer Recognition Program!

This program honors farmers who use sustainable farming practices and best management techniques that help protect our watershed, improve water quality, and support the health of our community.

🏆 The selected 2026 Water-Friendly Farmer will receive:
• A recognition sign to display at their farm
• Public recognition at the Town & Country Dinner
• A featured article on the Greater Bonne Femme website
• A custom infographic for use on their website and marketing materials

Nominations may be submitted by the farmer or by someone who wishes to recognize a deserving colleague.

📅 Nomination deadline: 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1

Eligible nominees must actively farm within the Greater Bonne Femme Watershed and have the authority to make land management decisions on the property they farm.

For eligibility requirements, application information, and submission options, visit: cavewatershed.boonemo.gov

Help us recognize the farmers who are working to protect our water resources for future generations! 💧🚜

Address

701 E Broadway
Columbia, MO
65201

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15738742489

Website

http://CoMo.gov/Sustainability

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