News
2525 West End earns EPA’s ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency
Jun. 8, 2010—The 2525 West End office building has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® for the eighth consecutive year, indicating that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. The facility scored 90 out of 100 possible points. The 2525 West End building is owned by The...
Students help to promote ‘green’ luxury
Jun. 4, 2010—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] Luxury and the Lexus brand go hand in hand. But now the car company has created a new hybrid vehicle that is more fuel-efficient, lighter and leaner. Lexus’ challenge is to reach the customer who wants a car that is both luxurious and”green.” That’s why they’re turning...
More green elements added to Commencement
May. 11, 2010—Green printing, paper recycling, reducing plastic bottles and a reusable lunch bag are among the new green initiatives being implemented this year for Vanderbilt University’s Commencement activities. Green printing practices, including using recycled paper and envelope-free technology where possible along with vegetable-based inks, have been used for several Commencement items. Paper recycling will also be...
Flood Relief Swap
May. 5, 2010—[Originally published on Vanderbilt University’s 2010 Nashville Flood Information website] Many in the Vanderbilt and greater Nashville family have been adversely affected by the flood and are in need of resource items immediately. We will be hosting a flood relief swap on Thursday, May 6, and Friday, May 7, to help. The event is for...
Student ‘Move Out’ presents the opportunity to recycle tons of items – literally
Apr. 30, 2010—[Originally published in MyVU] Vanderbilt students are moving out of their residence halls. This process can generate a lot of discarded items, such as linens, futons, small chairs, bedding, small drawer sets, mini-fridges, microwaves, lamps, TVs, computers, books and clothing. Rather than have all of those items end up in dumpsters and eventually the landfill,...
Celebrate Earth Day 2010 with giveaways, trivia and discounts
Apr. 22, 2010—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] Vanderbilt is celebrating Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, on Rand Terrace from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Correctly answer a trivia question about sustainability or guess how many aluminum cans are in a bale of recycling and win a 100 percent recycled, reusable shopping bag from...
Download SustainVU’s Greening Guides
Apr. 10, 2010—By popular demand, SustainVU has developed a Departmental Greening Guide and an Event Greening Guide for use by the Vanderbilt community. If you are looking for ways to “green” your department, feel free to download the Departmental Greening Guide. Having an event like a retirement party, conference, or awards celebration? Feel free to use the...
Go green this St. Patrick’s Day with sustainable foods
Mar. 12, 2010—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] The Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Vanderbilt Dining will host a sustainable foods display in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17. Stop by the Wall outside of Rand Hall from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to learn about environmentally and socially-responsible food production, to...
Benson Hall and Library Archives at Vanderbilt University awarded LEED certification
Feb. 18, 2010—Benson Hall and the Library’s Archival Storage Facility have received certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification recognizes buildings that were designed and constructed to certain specifications of water conservation, energy efficiency and waste minimization. Benson Hall is home of the English and History...
Plant Operations using earth-friendly de-icer
Jan. 6, 2010—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service] Plant Operations is ready this winter for snow and ice with a new de-icer that’s eco-friendly. Morton® Eco-Safe Ice Melter will be used in areas where Plant Ops staff distribute de-icing product by hand, such as walkways and stairwells. Eco-Safe Ice Melter uses potassium chloride instead of calcium chloride,...
Sustainability and Environmental Management Office to kick off basketball game recycling program at Jan. 2 game against Southern Miss.
Dec. 18, 2009—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] The Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) along with Vanderbilt Athletics will offer recycling at all Vanderbilt men’s and women’s home basketball games, beginning Saturday, Jan. 2, with the game against Southern Mississippi. “Major events on campus present the opportunity to recycle a large amount of material...
Private incentives for carbon emissions reductions needed to fill gaps until public measures created
Dec. 9, 2009—As the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit continues, two Vanderbilt researchers suggest that regardless of whether or not the meeting is successful in bringing public governance measures to bear, significant carbon reductions can be achieved by creating private incentives to reduce carbon emissions. In a forthcoming NYU Environmental Law Journal article, the researchers outline a method...
Vanderbilt Univ. saves water with new toilet technology
Nov. 19, 2009—[Originally published by News 2 WKRN] The World Toilet Organization declared November 19 as World Toilet Day when the organization, committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions world wide, was founded in 2001. Vanderbilt University used World Toilet Day to remind people to save water. Vanderbilt is using innovative technology on campus to save money...
Toilet technology at VU in celebration of World Toilet Day
Nov. 17, 2009—[Originally published in MyVU] Vanderbilt is on the cutting edge in medical technology and academic research, but did you know the university is also on the cutting edge of toilet technology? In celebration of World Toilet Day on Thursday, Nov. 19, here’s some information to think about the next time you have to take a...
VU neighborhood aiming for 5 percent energy reduction
Nov. 2, 2009—Go Green, District 18 is an initiative to reduce District 18’s energy consumption by 5 percent. Because Vanderbilt is located in District 18 and many faculty and staff members live there, the university is encouraging people to participate. Homeowners and businesses in District 18 are encouraged to sign up for an NES In-Home Energy Evaluation...