Waste & Recycling
Join FutureVU Sustainability Leaders and help foster a sustainable campus
Jan. 15, 2020—As part of Vanderbilt’s commitment to achieving zero waste by the year 2030, the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office is launching a new program—Sustainability Leaders—to improve sustainability outcomes on campus through culture change, education and the facilitation of actionable goals. Sustainability Leaders will act as peer mentors to foster a community that raises awareness of...
Vanderbilt University commits to achieving zero waste goal by 2030
Jan. 13, 2020—Vanderbilt has announced its commitment to achieving zero waste by the year 2030 as part of the university’s comprehensive long-term strategy to significantly reduce its environmental footprint and drive positive change in the world. Zero waste is defined as a 90% diversion rate from the landfill, acknowledging that no institution is completely waste-free. Vanderbilt additionally has...
Suzanne Herron wins title of Greenest Group on Campus
Oct. 24, 2019—Suzanne Herron, the sustainability coordinator for Campus Dining, has been named the 2019 Greenest Commodore on Campus. Suzanne’s achievement was celebrated at the Vanderbilt vs. Missouri Homecoming game on Oct. 19 with a catered tailgate event, tickets to the game, a special prize of Vandy merchandise, and an on-field award presentation. Accepting the award on...
E. Bronson Ingram College receives LEED Gold certification
Sep. 30, 2019—E. Bronson Ingram College (John Russell/Vanderbilt) Vanderbilt’s E. Bronson Ingram College has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Organizations must apply for the certification, which is recognized...
Vanderbilt celebrates PARK(ing) Day
Sep. 23, 2019—Faculty, staff and students participated in PARK(ing) Day—an internationally recognized event that features parking spaces turned into “pocket parks”—on Sept. 20. This year’s park focused on transportation and sustainability efforts underway on campus. The area in front of the Law School along 21st Avenue South was transformed into an outdoor space featuring hammocks, games, displays and giveaways. Members of...
Experience PARK(ing) Day Sept. 20
Sep. 10, 2019—The campus community is invited to experience PARK(ing) Day 2019 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, in front of the Law School along 21st Avenue South. This year’s park will focus on transportation and sustainability efforts underway on campus. This is the third year that Vanderbilt is participating in the national PARK(ing)...
Are you the Greenest Commodore on Campus?
Sep. 10, 2019—Waste Management has teamed up with FutureVU Sustainability to challenge Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff to show how they are being sustainable on campus. Recycling, composting, using a reusable water bottle, taking alternative transportation and using energy efficient products are all examples of the many ways you can be sustainable on campus SHOW US BY...
Vanderbilt Divinity School expansion features water, wood and light
Sep. 6, 2019—Faculty, staff, students and friends gathered at the Vanderbilt Divinity School to witness the dedication and ribbon cutting for the school’s much anticipated new expansion. The $11.5 million three-year renovation project includes a 13,641-square-foot addition that is fully accessible and awash with natural light. The three-story addition has five new classrooms with smart technology, expanded and updated...
University eliminates single-use plastic water and soda bottles in operations on campus
Aug. 28, 2019—As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Vanderbilt University announced today it will eliminate all single-use plastic water and soda bottles in its operations throughout dining facilities, markets and vending machines. The collaborative effort—which involved the student organizations Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (SPEAR) and Vanderbilt Student Government and will save more than 430,000 plastic...
University partners with local organizations to salvage Manuel House architecture
Aug. 21, 2019—(John Russell/Vanderbilt University) Vanderbilt University has partnered with Nashville organizations Preservation Station and Project Return in its efforts to preserve a part of Nashville’s vibrant cultural history, the Manuel House. The effort to salvage millwork from the Manuel House involved the University Facilities team working alongside Preservation Station, a local business that saves and resells recycled...