The pilot compost site, known as the Compost Discovery Area on Peabody Commons, is entering its second seasonal cycle. There are 4 square bins with 4ft sides. They compost fruit and vegetable scraps from the Commons Dining Center food preparation kitchen and coffee grounds from Common Grounds using the hot compost method. The hot compost method utilizes aerobic microorganisms that generate heat while ecomposing the food into highly nutrient-dense soil. The piles are turned using a pitchfork about wice a week to increase air exposure, and watered if necessary. They do not smell bad, because there are no animal products or cooked foods, and are aesthetically attractive due to the colorful collage of lettuce, tomato, melon, pineapple, eggplant, etc.

Composting has launched an informative video that will be the first in a how-to series intended for students, faculty and staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

To learn more about Compost or got questions, contact Anna [anna.m.simon@vanderbilt.edu] or Luke Boehne [luke.c.boehne@vanderbilt.edu]

 

For Dining, contact Luke Boehne [luke.c.boehne@vanderbilt.edu]

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Last year, SPEAR hosted a two-week film series for Focus the Nation, a national teach-in designed to raise awareness of environmental issues and solutions. The series consisted of two showings of Leonardo DiCaprio’s The 11^th Hour, a documentary that focuses on the international consequences of global warming, and one showing of Jeff Barrie’s Kilowatt Ours, a documentary which explores not only the effects pollution but what individuals can do to create a more sustainable future. These showings featured post-screening panel discussions where professors and professionals offered their take on the film in addition to answering any questions. On the final night, Jeff Barrie, creator and director of Kilowatt Ours, lead a discussion in which he challenged the audience to make their houses more eco-friendly while he also facilitated an in-depth question-and-answer session. Overall, these screenings taught over 200 Vanderbilt students an faculty about the dangers of global warming and how they can change their own habits to prevent an international disaster.

 

To learn more about Kilowatt Ours, visit http://www.kilowattours.org/news-media-resources.php

 

Contact Person: Clay Ciese [clay.w.ciese@vanderbilt.edu] Matt Irwin [ matthew.t.irwin@vanderbilt.edu]

 

 

OFF-CAMPUS

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Bottle Bill

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Cardboard Collected by SPEAR and Vanderbilt Plant Operations during Move-In Day:

 Figures are preliminary and may underestimate the actual amount. 1 ton is about 6 times the weight of Shaquille O'Neal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPEAR coordinated efforts to pick up all recycable materials after Vanderbilt's 2 day spring concert featuring acts such as Lil' Jon and Spoon.  After each night SPEAR would comb through the lawn and properly dispose of cans and bottles, while also picking up valuables left behind at Rites of Spring.  980 pounds of aluminum were collected after Rites of Spring, nearly a 100 pound increase from last year.