Charlotte was named one of Five Cities Leading the Way to a Greener World by Newsweek magazine in September 2023.They stated, “Several years ago, Charlotte, North Carolina, set out to become a U.S. leader in the circular economy after a report found that 88 percent of the city’s 900,000 tons of annual waste ended up in landfills. If just 15 percent of that waste was recycled instead, the analysis found, Charlotte could generate $34 million in revenue and create nearly 500 jobs, in addition to the positive impact on tackling climate change.”

It is significant that Charlotte has set an ambitious zero waste goal, aiming to significantly reduce landfill waste through circular economy initiatives, community engagement and innovative waste management strategies. The Innovation Barn, a groundbreaking facility dedicated to rethinking waste and turning discarded materials into valuable resources, is operated by Envision Charlotte, serving as a living laboratory where sustainability solutions are tested, refined and scaled.

It houses a plastics recycling lab, a food waste composting operation and a materials upcycling program, all designed to divert waste from landfills and create new economic opportunities. The Innovation Barn also serves as a hub for education and community engagement, hosting workshops, school programs and business collaborations to promote waste reduction and circular innovation.

Through partnerships with Charlotte Solid Waste Services, local businesses and entrepreneurs, the city is developing new ways to recycle, compost and repurpose materials that would otherwise be discarded, proving that a zero-waste future is possible by creating a cleaner, greener city while driving economic growth and environmental responsibility.

Mecklenburg Solid Waste has partnered with the Innovation Barn to provide educational opportunities to children, teens and adults about the importance of recycling. The Innovation Barn has three solid waste displays set up for people to better understand how recycling works in the county, including what is and is not accepted, as well as the Enhanced Recycling Program offered at all county full-service centers. The Innovation Barn also provides educators to teach students about the different items and how to recycle them.

The innovation Barn is located at 932 Seigle Ave., in Charlotte. Free public tours are provided on Tues., Fri. and Sat. Private tours also available. For more information and to register for a tour, visit InnovationBarnCLT.com.