Many departments on Vanderbilt's campus have no way of recycling their cardboard.  The bamboo bike trailer works to alleviate this problem by picking up the cardboard recycling directly and taking it to the recycling drop off point.  Last year this project involved mainly the creation of the bamboo bike trailer, while this year's focus is on performing the actual runs themself and expanding the program.
 
Contact: Wern Ong
 

Our project's goal is to educate and train students how to live a greener and more sustainable life. First, the group member would educate themselves, then we would present our knowledge to the SPEAR members and continue to branch out to the general student body and to the community. Our topics so far are: Recycling on Campus, How to be Green in your Dorm.

 

If you got a topic on sustainability you want to learn about but don't have time to research about it? Send the topic to tiffany.t.cheng@vanderbilt.edu!
 
Contact: Tiffany Cheng
 

This will be the second year composting food offerings from the Commons Dining Center Preparation Kitchen and coffee grounds from Common Grounds!
We are compiling a video series on "how to compost." The beginner's segment is available now from the SPEAR website. There is also a Compost Pledge for seniors to sign, pledging that they will contribute to sustainability and clean energy by composting beyond Vanderbilt and teaching others to compost.
 
Contact: Luke Boehne 

The Dining Charity Initiative is a proposed program for students using a meal plan, giving them the option to trade (a side item) for a charitable donation. It will generate significant donation sums, and is especially useful for those students with lighter appetites or those who eat more meals spread throughout the day, as well as those who frequently take a side item that is unwanted and waste it to the trash. 

 

Contact: Luke Boehne 
 

We will operate environmental education tables with activities, information, and give-a-ways to endorse adoption of environmentally-sound habits at a young age at Vanderbuddies playday, Best Buddies playday, Rec Fest, and other campus events. We also seek to provide environmental education to youth in the Nashville area.

 

Contact: Peter Reisz 
  

This year, we will be planning an event for Focus the Nation, a national series of events designed to raise awareness of climate change and to present feasible solutions. Our event will focus on the practicality and necessity of alternative energy as we as a global society are required to shift away from coal and oil-based fuel sources due to economic, environmental, and security concerns.
 
Contact: Matt Irwin 

 

Working with OHARE, Campus Planning, and Plant Operations to ensure that Kissam is a LEED-certified and environmentally friendly building.
 
Contact: Jinsu Sohn

Working on having on a regular basis to inform the Vanderbilt community how they can conserve energy and resources even at college.
 
Contact: Colleen Parker 

Adding sustainability and environmental awareness into the VSG Constitution

 

Towards the end of this Fall Semester, SPEAR (Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility) is launching the new movement “Vanderbilt Forever”.  “Vanderbilt Forever” is an event, a pledge, and a new way of life.  The basic idea is that every Vanderbilt student signs a Green Pledge and then re-affirms it each year and at graduation.  The plan for the initial signing is to host an event for four days, during the lunch period (11-1), which will be split between the Sarratt Student Center and the Commons.  Students will read the pledge and then if they decide to sign it, receive (or purchase at a reasonable price) our “goodie-bag” which will probably include a t-shirt and a rubber bracelet (same type as the popular yellow “Livestrong” bracelets) as our budget permits.  The formal pledge will be printed on a board approximately 3.5 ft by 5 ft.  Along with signing the board, the signers will put their name on a list-serve.  By signing up for this list-serve, they will periodically receive tips about how to live an environmentally friendly life and also information how they can help make Vanderbilt and Nashville more sustainable.  “Vanderbilt Forever” is not just a single event.  It is a movement that will grow overtime, inspiring, enabling, and encouraging more and more students to be stewards of the environment and to use Earth’s resources in sustainable methods.  Where “Vanderbilt Forever” will end up is still to be seen, but as of now it will be an exciting interactive event.  Hopefully someday soon, the green pledge will be a part of every Vanderbilt students’ way of life.

 
Contact: Ben Kahn

 

 

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Dates : Sep. 15-17th. 
The goal of sustainapalooza is two fold.  First, to educate and increase awareness of environmental practices that students can adapt to their daily lives.  Second, to promote and gain momentum for several SPEAR projects.  All this is done through a set of displays on Sarratt Terrace, much like an expanded org fair exhibition. 
 
Contact: Wern Ong

 

 

Dates : Aug. 15 - 28th  
Recycled Cardboard during Move-in days. BIG thanks to all the Cardboard Crew members and Plant Opts for all the help!!! 

Click Here to see some pictures.   
 

 

This year, we hope to hold a two-week dorm energy competition amongst the ten houses on the Commons! In preparing for this event, we will be advertising heavily around the Commons and in our school newpapers such as the Hustler. In essence, the ten houses will compete to see who can reduce their building's energy bill by the greatest percent. We will provide tips on ways for them to reduce their bills. We are even going to have the RAs on each floor have a floor meeting to encourage energy reduction tips. The house that lowers their bill the most will have a huge party on the Commons Lawn. (Pictures)
 
Contact: Leslie Labruto