COMOsustainability

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: Everything that goes into the storm drain goes right to our creeks and waterways. Please keep pet waste, paint, oil, leaves, branches, grass cuttings and all other trash out of our storm drains and waterways. como.gov/utilities/colu…

The Stormwater Utility invites residents to read and comment on a draft of the updated City of Columbia/Boone County/University of Missouri joint Stormwater Management Plan. The plan describes the programs, practices and goals for addressing the water-quality impacts of stormwater runoff over the next five years to comply with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit with MDNR. Interested parties can visit ehs.missouri.edu/program-areas/… to review the draft Stormwater Management Plan. Comments will be accepted at missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9o… through April 10.

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: Protect Your Watershed From Oil Pollution. 1. Do not dump petroleum oil or other petroleum products down our storm drains. Did you know it would only take a quart of motor oil dumped down a storm drain to cause a two acre oil slick?! 2. It is important to properly maintain vehicles, including cars, boats, and other equipment, to avoid oil leaks and spills. Change your oil and recycle it by using the City's Household Hazardous Waste collection program. Learn more @ como.gov/utilities/colu… 3. When you finish filling up your gas tank at a gas station, do not pull the nozzle out of the tank right away, and do not tap the nozzle against the tank before returning it to the pump. The goal is not to have gas leakage, but we also don’t want a static spark to be generated, do we? Tip the handle upside down and back to avoid gas drips safely. Learn more about watershed @ como.gov/watersheds #CoMoRecycleRight #CoMoWatersheds

𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪? Columbia’s Residential Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility collected 26,200 pounds of pesticides, fertilizers, poisons, corrosives, medications, and household cleaners. 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗛𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: The facility is open on the 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 from 𝟴 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗠 Columbia residents may dispose or Recycle Hazardous Waste for 𝗡𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗧 at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility. 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: 𝗡𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲. 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 @ 𝙃𝙃𝙒 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: 1313 Lakeview - Columbia, MO 65201 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦:: One block west of the City’s power plant, just off Business Loop 70 𝗠𝗔𝗣: ow.ly/520O50EbOC3 Learn more about Columbia’s Residential Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility @ como.gov/utilities/colu… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹.

♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧! 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 - Help the City of Columbia maximize the value of recyclable materials transferred outside of 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.

Looking for a convenient way to dispose of yard waste in Columbia? Look no further! Columbia maintains Yard Waste Drop-off Centers for residents to easily get rid of grass clippings, leaves, brush, and small tree limbs. Plus, the best part is that the yard waste is shredded and turned into mulch. LOCATIONS: - Parkside Drive (between Cosmo Park and Creasy Springs Road) - Capen Park - Now Open / south Columbia, along Rock Quarry Road near Stadium Boulevard Open 7 days a week from dawn till dusk. Take advantage of these environmentally-friendly options today! #Columbia #YardWasteDropOff #MulchMaking

🌱✨ Have you checked out the Office of Sustainability Newsletter yet? 🌍💚 Each month, we dive into Columbia’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, community projects, events, and volunteer opportunities perfect for you and your family! Plus, grab handy sustainability tips for everyday life! 🏡 ✨ Don’t miss out—sign up now at como.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b1… Let’s make a difference together! 💪♻️ #Sustainability #ColumbiaCAAP

𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗻? What if, instead of mowing it week after week, you turned it into a thriving sanctuary—alive with fluttering monarchs, chirping songbirds, and blooming native wildflowers/ Even beginners can plant native Missouri species and create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that supports local wildlife. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 missourilife.com/heres-guide-gr… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. #NativePlants #EcoFriendlyGardening #NatureLovers #comopollinators

CAAP Update – Public Comment Open The City’s Office of Sustainability and Cascadia Consulting have released the Public Comment Draft of the first 5-year update to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Originally adopted in 2019, the CAAP outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move our community toward a more sustainable future. The draft keeps the original 2019 goals and structure but updates the priority actions for the next five years based on input from local, state, and national stakeholders. We’re looking for feedback on: • Anything that’s unclear or confusing • Placement of actions (5-year, ongoing, or long-term) • Actions that may not belong on the 5-year list • Any other major concerns or suggestions Public comments will be open till April 12th, 2026. Review the draft and learn more here: beheard.como.gov/caap-update Questions? Contact Lelande Rehard at Lelande.Rehard@como.gov

Did you know? Nearly 60% of your household water footprint can go toward lawn and garden maintenance! Here are some easy ways to conserve water outdoors: Choose drought-tolerant plants Avoid overwatering your lawn Water in the early morning or late evening Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways Every drop counts—let’s use water wisely! 💦 Think differently. Think sustainably. #WaterConservation #SaveOurPlanet #EveryDropCounts

Staff have recently noticed an increase in colorful “biodegradable” dog waste bags being left throughout our city parks. While we appreciate efforts to use more environmentally friendly products, leaving these bags behind is still litter—and not something visitors or staff want to see along our trails and green spaces. Being a responsible pet owner means following the “Leave No Trace” principle: if you pack it in, pack it out. Please help keep our parks clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone by taking your dog’s waste with you when you leave. ✅ 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 — 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝘁𝘀! ✔️ Pick it up ✔️ Bag it ✔️ Trash it Learn more ➡️ como.gov/sustainability… 🌍 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆 - 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝘁. Think differently. Think sustainably. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆

Did you know the Office of Sustainability has a YouTube Educational Channel? Follow us & learn how to make stuff, build stuff, grow stuff & how to live a sustainable lifestyle. Subscribe to our channel here: youtube.com/COMOSustainabi… Think differently. Think sustainably.

The average American uses seven trees worth of cardboard and paper products every year. Fortunately, cardboard can be reused and turned into a number of products. According to Recycle Across America, recycling 1 ton of cardboard saves 46 gallons of oil! como.gov/utilities/colu…

🚫Don't flush them! 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪, 𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘. 𝗪𝗘 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪. Flushing pills down the toilet can pollute our water and endanger public health. Wastewater treatment plants can't remove pharmaceuticals, so let's dispose of them properly. 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂: ow.ly/5zym50SjamW

We’re Hiring: Sustainability Analyst Do you love data and the planet? Are spreadsheets your superpower and sustainability your passion? The Office of Sustainability is looking for a Sustainability Analyst to help track progress, analyze metrics, and turn numbers into meaningful action for our community. In this role you’ll: - Calculate and analyze sustainability and resilience metrics - Track progress on programs related to energy, transportation, and climate resilience - Develop key performance indicators and visualize data in engaging ways - Collaborate with departments across the City to support sustainability initiatives - Turn complex data into clear insights that help guide smart decisions If you enjoy digging into data, spotting trends, and helping a city move toward a more sustainable future, this might be the perfect role for you. Come help us measure what matters and make a difference along the way. Interested? Check out the job posting and apply today2 gocomojobs.com/postings/35029

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 🐝🐍 Hello! I’m the Garter Snake. Sorry if I made you drop your trowel when I slithered out of the mulch. I was just sunbathing to warm up for the March Slug Buffet. Early spring is when the ground gets damp and slugs start waking up—ready to snack on your expensive new perennials. The good news? I’m already on the job. Each season, I eat hundreds of slugs, snails, and even leeches. Without snakes like me around, those holes in your hostas and lettuce would be twice as big. The best part? I’m completely harmless to people. I don’t have venom—just a very big appetite for the pests that ruin gardens. Want to help your garden’s natural pest control? Leave a small pile of flat rocks in a sunny spot to create a little “snake hotel.” Let a patch of grass grow a bit longer along the edge of your yard. If you see me, just give me space and let me slide away. I may not have legs… but I help keep your garden looking great. 🌱

Free Composting Workshop! Learn the why, what, and how of home composting. Compostables account for 38% of materials entering landfills. Attend a free workshop and start diverting kitchen scraps and yard waste while producing a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting can greatly reduce a household's waste and is a fun and rewarding step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Held @ Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia, MO Walk-ins are welcome. Registration is helpful and will ensure participants receive all the details. Visit como.gov/volunteer for more information! Register here: forms.gle/DtxGbo1mBcyMDt…

Bring Nature Home with the CoMo Wild Yards Program Want to make your yard more wildlife-friendly while helping protect the environment? The CoMo Wild Yards Program helps residents and businesses within the city limits of Columbia transform their landscapes into thriving habitats for native plants and animals. The program promotes sustainable land stewardship practices that improve biodiversity and help our community become more resilient to climate change. What We Offer Through peer-to-peer consultations, our team can help you: - Landscape with native plants - Manage invasive vegetation - Practice water conservation - Create pollinator and wildlife habitat - Use environmentally sound and sustainable yard management practices Whether you have a small backyard, a large property, or a business landscape, we can help you create a healthier ecosystem for wildlife and people. Request a Consultation Interested in getting started? Complete the CoMo Wild Yards consultation request form ow.ly/oBPO50Yt2no to schedule your visit and receive personalized recommendations for your property. Together we can make Columbia’s yards healthier, more resilient, and better for wildlife.

View your trash schedule and receive collection notifications all from within the CoMo Recycle and Trash app. For Android: play.google.com/store/apps/det… For Apple: apps.apple.com/app/id11268408…

Register March 16 – April 16 for the 2026 Callery Pear Tree Buyback with a photo of a cut-down Callery pear tree from your property and get a free native tree. mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/have-…