About Urban Green Lab
Urban Green Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to teach communities how to live sustainably in Nashville, TN and its surrounding counties. We organize teams, train them on making sustainable choices, and connect people with services and peers to walk with on their sustainable journey. We envision a Nashville where everyone has access to opportunities for learning about sustainable living.
Educating in places where culture begins
The Classrooms programs train educators and provide confidence, tools, and community to bring a sustainable lens into any classroom.
The Households division creates sustainable living education systems that inspire residents and families to be part of the solution.
The Workplaces branch educates and builds communities and cultures of sustainability in businesses throughout the Nashville area.
Special Initiatives
Our special initiatives are focus areas of sustainability education that Urban Green Lab has chosen to highlight and incorporate throughout the divisions.
The Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative is growing a movement of environmental justice learning that protects Nashville's marginalized communities.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative develops tools and implements strategies for decreasing food waste and growing sustainable food consumption practices to serve as a model for other cities.
2023 annual report
For more information on our organization, programs, and impact, read our 2023 Annual Report.
EVENTS
Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge
From April 12-20, select Nashville-area restaurants will showcase a prix fixe meal or menu special that incorporates elements of sustainability like organically produced, sustainably recovered, or locally sourced ingredients as part of the Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge.
Learn More
2024 Earth Day Events in Nashville
If you’re looking for how to celebrate Earth Month or Earth Day in Nashville, Urban Green Lab has a roundup of different ways to celebrate the beauty of our planet and learn about solutions that make our planet, its people, and their prosperity a top priority.
Learn More
Earth Month Coffee Crawl
From April 1-22, Zero Waste Nashville and Urban Green Lab are showcasing sustainable coffee shops across Nashville through the first Earth Month Coffee Crawl! Grab some friends and try out new drinks across the city.
Learn MoreBLOG
Beyond the B: The Power of the B Corp Community for Sustainable Change
What’s in a sustainable business? We think it’s much more than offsetting carbon, going plastic-neutral, or paying above the minimum wage.
Read More
10 Black Leaders in Sustainability You Should Know
Black leaders have long been at the front line of the battle for our planet’s health – against climate change and for food and environmental justice issues. Sustainability cannot be separated from issues of race, because communities of color are more likely to suffer the direct impacts of climate change. In honor of Black History Month, here are 10 Black leaders in the sustainability movement whose work has positively benefited all of us.
Read More
Mayor, Water Services Announce Start of Every Other Week Curbside Recycling for Nashville Residents
Today, Mayor John Cooper announced plans that starting on Monday, January 30, 2023, Nashville Metro Water Services (MWS) will provide Nashville residents with every other week curbside recycling pickup services.
Read More
Urban Green Lab Publishes 2023 Annual Report
Urban Green Lab shares the 2023 Annual Report showcasing program achievements and stories from stakeholders
Read More
Urban Green Lab Receives 2023 Airbnb Community Fund Grant
Urban Green Lab is one of 40 nonprofits to receive a 2023 Airbnb Community Fund Grant. Learn more about how the grant will be used to teach communities to live sustainably.
Read More
Second Food Waste Mural Installed at Patagonia Nashville
Urban Green Lab, in partnership with Patagonia, placed two murals on the windows of the Patagonia Nashville store to celebrate how food can provide fuel for activity and encourage Nashvillians to waste less food.
Read More