The Urban Green Lab Blog
Adopt-A-Cafeteria: How Nashville Is Keeping Lunch Out of the Landfill
Every year, Nashville school cafeterias send an estimated 10 million pounds of food to the landfill. Adopt-A-Cafeteria, an initiative by Urban Green Lab, is working to change that by connecting […]
Connecting the Dots on Food Waste
In the food waste conversation, connecting the dots is the whole game. It’s hard to fathom the extent of food waste in Nashville. The facts are staggering, almost daunting in […]
Beyond the Pixels: A Geospatial Look at Urban Heat
On June 29, 2026, at 8:30 AM, an urgent email flashed across the screens of everyone at Tennessee State University (TSU). The subject line: severe heat. The forecast predicted temperatures […]
Nashville’s Convenience Centers: 25 Years of Keeping Waste Out of Landfills
Metro Nashville’s first Convenience Center, East Center, opened in 2001, serving Davidson County residents for 25 years by providing trash and recycling collection. Since then, the Nashville Department of Waste […]
From Farm to Tray: Valor Students Investigate Food Waste Solutions
For over a decade, Urban Green Lab has helped adults across Nashville build sustainable habits at home, at work, and in their communities. This summer, we took an exciting step […]
How We Move Shapes Who Can Move: Transportation, Climate, and Equity in Nashville
If you want to understand a city’s values, look at how it moves people. Transportation is not just infrastructure. It is a daily equity test. Who can get to work […]
Turning Plans into Practice: An Earth Month Charge
Earth Month is an inspiring time to examine our practices, make plans, and put new, more sustainable habits into action. The newness and freshness of spring provides a certain energy […]
5 Ways Monthly Donors Power a More Sustainable Nashville
Monthly donors play a key role in building a more sustainable Nashville. Learn 5 ways consistent giving supports education, community, and long-term impact.
The Hidden Cost of Losing Employees – and How Sustainability Can Help
Sustainability isn’t just good PR, and it’s not just about environmental impact. It’s a workforce strategy. When you invest in authentic environmental and social initiatives, you’re investing in the conditions that make employees want to stay.
Winter Storm Fern and Extreme Weather Preparedness: Those Who Ignore History are Doomed to Repeat It
In 2008, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Red Cross and other like organizations began to lead “urban emergency preparedness workshops.” The crisis in New Orleans opened many eyes […]