Waste & Recycling
Vanderbilt to host Oct. 15 cooking demonstration to shed light on food waste
Oct. 8, 2021—An estimated 40 percent of food produced annually in the United States goes uneaten while more than 10 percent of Americans are food insecure. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food is the nation’s single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills, where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. As part of its commitment...
Vanderbilt announces PepsiCo as new beverage provider to help reach sustainability goals
Jul. 31, 2020—Vanderbilt University has announced PepsiCo as its official beverage provider for its campus dining operations and vending locations. The new agreement will provide the entire university community with PepsiCo’s broad portfolio of beverages, including Pepsi, Gatorade, Pure Leaf iced tea, Mountain Dew, Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee, STUBBORN craft soda and more. Vanderbilt will also offer other...
Annual report on campus sustainability efforts now available
Jan. 20, 2020—Vanderbilt University greenhouse gas emissions have dropped 7 percent per square foot compared to FY17-18, and 18.5 percent compared to CY16. The finding is among those showcased in the annual sustainability report released today by FutureVU Sustainability in the Division of Administration. “The achievements highlighted in this report reflect the work of hundreds of faculty, staff and students in...
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...
Division of Administration issues FutureVU progress report
Nov. 22, 2019—Sustainable building and landscape projects, safety and accessibility improvements and transportation and mobility accomplishments are just a few of the many achievements outlined in the first FutureVU progress report, released online by the Division of Administration. FutureVU is the overarching campus planning process that considers core themes including connectivity and community enhancement, diversity and inclusion,...
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)...