COMOsustainability

♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧! 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 🚫 NO clamshell produce/deli containers sometimes come with cellophane tops, hinged lids, or plastic tops (containing tomatoes, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, nuts, or side dishes such as coleslaw, potato salad, humus) Please help keep our recycling stream clean by placing these items in the trash instead. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest. For more, visit como.gov/utilities/colu… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻... 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲.

♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧! 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 🚫 NO aluminum foil sheets, aluminum foil steam pans, aluminum foil bowls, and aluminum foil pie tins. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. Please help keep our recycling stream clean by placing these items in the trash instead. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest. For more, visit como.gov/utilities/colu… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻... 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲.

♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧! 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 🚫 NO aerosol cans. Please help keep our recycling stream clean by placing these items in the trash instead. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. - It’s better to trash something questionable than to risk ruining the rest. For more, visit como.gov/utilities/colu… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻... 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲.

Memorial Day, we remember and honor. Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. May we honor their memory through service, unity, and gratitude. #MemorialDay #HonorAndRemember #ColumbiaMO

Commemorating Memorial Day in an eco-friendly manner is a wonderful way to celebrate our country and pay our respects to those who serve and protect our great nation. Here are few ways to green your Memorial Day festivities: - Set up recycling bins next to the trash can, as a gentle reminder to family members to reduce, reuse and recycle. Clearly label the bins by paper, plastic and aluminum. - Compost any leftover food scraps in a special compost pile in your back yard. Don’t compost? Learn how here: wikihow.com/Compost Whatever you decide to do this Memorial Day weekend, make an effort minimize the waste you create in every way you can think of.

🔥 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗽! 🔥 Stay safe, stay cool, and look out for one another.

🔥 Grill Smart This Memorial Day Weekend 🇺🇸 Memorial Day is just around the corner, and for many families that means firing up the grill, gathering with friends and loved ones, and celebrating the unofficial start of summer! As you prepare for a weekend filled with burgers, BBQ, and sunshine, remember to keep safety at the top of your checklist — especially around the grill. The Columbia Fire Department wants to help make your holiday weekend both fun and safe with these important grilling safety tips: ✅ Keep It Outside Always use grills outdoors — never in a garage, tent, carport, or enclosed space. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches. ✅ Stay With the Flame Never leave a hot grill unattended. Assign a “grill master” to keep an eye on the fire and food at all times. ✅ Check for Gas Leaks Before lighting a gas grill, inspect hoses for leaks using a soap and water solution. If you smell gas while cooking, move away immediately and call 911. ✅ Clean Your Grill Grease buildup is one of the leading causes of grill fires. Regularly clean grates and trays to reduce fire risk. ✅ Keep Kids & Pets Safe Create a 3-foot “kid and pet-free zone” around the grill to help prevent accidents. ✅ Be Prepared Keep a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a bucket of sand nearby. Never use water on a grease fire. ✅ Dispose of Coals Properly Allow charcoal coals to cool completely before placing them in a metal container. Never dump ashes into plastic or paper trash bins. Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! 🇺🇸☀️🍔

The Office of Sustainability is helping protect one of our most important pollinators — the monarch butterfly. In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the City of Columbia signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in 2016 — committing to restore native habitats, manage invasive species, and expand education around monarch conservation. The National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, shows a community’s commitment to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. Since then, real progress has taken root across our community: Restoring Habitat • 15 acres of native prairie established in our parks (with support from the 3M Foundation) • 33 acres of native habitat planted along public roadsides Innovative Programs • The Roadside Pollinator Program transforms mowed areas like medians and roundabouts into thriving native prairie landscapes Education & Outreach • School programs and community efforts continue to spread awareness about protecting pollinators • Our success with the CoMo Wild Yards program brings nature back to residents' homes through native planting and landscaping. Then certified as pollinator zones. como.gov/sustainability… From habitat restoration to hands-on education, the City of Columbia is taking action to curb the decline of pollinators and support biodiversity. Together, we’re creating a healthier, more sustainable community — one habitat at a time. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe speaking to students from Jefferson Middle School @ the City Hall Native Pollinator Education and Outreach Garden / Downtown Columbia, MO

Commemorating Memorial Day in an eco-friendly manner is a wonderful way to celebrate our country and pay our respects to those who serve and protect our great nation. Here are few ways to green your Memorial Day festivities: - Set up recycling bins next to the trash can, as a gentle reminder to family members to reduce, reuse and recycle. Clearly label the bins by paper, plastic and aluminum. - Compost any leftover food scraps in a special compost pile in your back yard. Don’t compost? Learn how here: wikihow.com/Compost Whatever you decide to do this Memorial Day weekend, make an effort minimize the waste you create in every way you can think of

☀️🌳 Columbia is taking action to help residents stay cooler and safer during extreme summer heat. The City of Columbia’s Office of Sustainability has launched its first Heat Resilience Project in the White Gate neighborhood as part of the “Show Me the Relief” initiative. The project focuses on understanding how heat impacts neighborhoods and identifying solutions that can help reduce urban heat and improve community resilience. By working directly with residents, the City is exploring ways to create cooler, healthier neighborhoods through community engagement, shade, and other heat-reducing strategies. As temperatures continue to rise, projects like this help protect public health, improve quality of life, and build a more resilient Columbia for everyone. 🌎💚 Learn more about the City’s community resilience efforts: como.gov/sustainability…

🚲 Bike More, Spend Less on Gas! ⛽💸 With gas prices always changing, hopping on a bike can be a simple way to save money—and it comes with some great extra benefits too! ✅ Pros of Biking Instead of Driving • Save money on gas – Fewer trips to the pump means more money in your pocket • Lower maintenance costs – Bikes are much cheaper to maintain than cars • Good for your health – Biking helps improve fitness and reduce stress • Better for the environment – Zero emissions = cleaner air for our community 🌎 • Avoid traffic & parking hassles – Especially for short trips around town 🚦 Tip: Try replacing just a few short car trips each week with a bike ride—you’ll still see savings add up over time! Small changes can make a big difference for your wallet and the planet. 🌱 🔹 Explore Columbia’s Trails: ow.ly/B0Xg50J42Ur 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

🔥 Grill Smart This Memorial Day Weekend 🇺🇸 Memorial Day is just around the corner, and for many families that means firing up the grill, gathering with friends and loved ones, and celebrating the unofficial start of summer! As you prepare for a weekend filled with burgers, BBQ, and sunshine, remember to keep safety at the top of your checklist — especially around the grill. The Columbia Fire Department wants to help make your holiday weekend both fun and safe with these important grilling safety tips: ✅ Keep It Outside Always use grills outdoors — never in a garage, tent, carport, or enclosed space. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches. ✅ Stay With the Flame Never leave a hot grill unattended. Assign a “grill master” to keep an eye on the fire and food at all times. ✅ Check for Gas Leaks Before lighting a gas grill, inspect hoses for leaks using a soap and water solution. If you smell gas while cooking, move away immediately and call 911. ✅ Clean Your Grill Grease buildup is one of the leading causes of grill fires. Regularly clean grates and trays to reduce fire risk. ✅ Keep Kids & Pets Safe Create a 3-foot “kid and pet-free zone” around the grill to help prevent accidents. ✅ Be Prepared Keep a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a bucket of sand nearby. Never use water on a grease fire. ✅ Dispose of Coals Properly Allow charcoal coals to cool completely before placing them in a metal container. Never dump ashes into plastic or paper trash bins. Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! 🇺🇸☀️🍔

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆🦇 The big brown bat is one of the most common and widespread bat species in North America. It has broad wings and an appetite for night-flying insects. This time of year, bats are active after spending the winter hibernating. Photo: Leah Riley/USFWS

Looking to save energy and water at home? 💡💧 Columbia Water & Light offers FREE residential energy assessments with tips tailored specifically to your home and location! Learn more: como.gov/utilities/colu… To schedule a free onsite assessment or phone consultation, call 573.441.5528 or email Efficiency@CoMo.gov.

💡 Need help lowering summer electric bills? Since 2007, the City’s Window Air Conditioner Exchange Program has helped income-eligible families stay cool while saving money on energy costs. The City of Columbia Utilities is partnering with the Voluntary Action Center and Boone Electric Cooperative to provide FREE replacement window air conditioners for qualified customers. 📍 Exchange Event 🗓 June 4 ⏰ 9–10 a.m. 📌 Boone Electric Cooperative 1413 Rangeline St. To confirm eligibility, City of Columbia Utilities customers should call the Voluntary Action Center at 📞 573.874.2273.

Columbia’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) lays out a vision and strategy to address risks posed by climate change and contribute to international efforts to draw down greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing the CAAP requires motivating staff, finding funding for strategies, involving community members to make key changes and sustaining momentum. Columbia has already taken steps to improve community sustainability. Learn more here: @ comoclimateaction.org Think differently. Think sustainably.

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 💧 DO YOU KNOW YOUR WATERSHED? 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… 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

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 💧 As much as we love keeping our cars squeaky clean, it's important to remember the impact of car washing on our local waterways. Washing your vehicle at home—especially in the street or driveway—can send soap, oil, dirt, and even heavy metals straight into storm drains. From there, this polluted runoff flows untreated into our local creeks and streams, impacting water quality and aquatic life. Be a #CleanCarHero and wash on the grass where water can soak into the ground instead, or a better choice.... Commercial car washes. Professional car wash facilities are designed to: - Treat and manage wastewater properly, preventing harmful pollutants from entering our waterways - Use less water overall thanks to efficient systems and water recycling - Protect your vehicle, helping reduce buildup that can lead to rust and long-term damage 🌱 Small action, big impact: Choosing a commercial car wash helps protect our environment while keeping your car looking its best. 🌊🚗 #KeepItClean #WaterwayProtection #EnvironmentallyFriendlyWashing

𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: What items CANNOT be recycled with the City of Columbia, MO recycling program? 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥: These items CANNOT be recycled with the City of Columbia, MO. - Styrofoam – cups, packaging, foam meat/produce trays, egg cartons, styrofoam packaging from electronic/toy/mail items. - Wrappers – plastic food wrap, plastic grocery sacks, chip bags, frozen food vegetable bags. - Aluminum foil, pie pans, tin trays, foil food trays - Cartons for milk, children's juice box, soups, orange juice, etc. - Soiled paper towels, plates, cups, tissue paper, pizza boxes - Disposable diapers - Aerosol cans (cooking spray, spray paint, hair spray) - Fabrics/textiles/clothing - Ceramic or clay pots, Chinaware porcelain, Pyrex™ - Food waste - Household chemicals (full/half-full containers) - Batteries (NO batteries of any kind) Learn more about what you 𝗖𝗔𝗡/𝗖𝗔𝗡'𝗧/𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 recycle with the city recycling program here: como.gov/utilities/colu… 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻.... 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲.

Do you need a new window AC unit? Boone Electric is partnering with the Voluntary Action Center and Columbia Water & Light to host a free Air Conditioner Exchange on June 4 — and it costs you nothing. Bring in your old, broken or inefficient window AC unit and walk away with a new, energy-efficient model at no charge. 📅 June 4, 2026 · 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. 📍 Boone Electric Cooperative · 1413 Rangeline St., Columbia · South Parking Lot Registration is required. Call 573-874-2273 to see if you qualify — spots are limited. 🔗 vacmo.org/programs