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 envision a Nashville where everyone has access to opportunities for learning about sustainable living.
OUR IMPACT
How we work
The Classrooms Division includes the Sustainable Classrooms program.
Recently, the Classrooms Division trained educators from Isaac Litton Middle School teaching them how to bring sustainability into their classrooms and school.
Educating Households
The Households Division includes the UGL Volunteers and Sustainable in the City.
The Households Division recently relaunched Sustainable in the City as a podcast with the Nashville Department of Waste Services. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
The Households Division includes the UGL Volunteers and Sustainable in the City.
The Households Division recently relaunched Sustainable in the City as a podcast with the Nashville Department of Waste Services. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
Coaching Workplaces
The Workplaces Division includes the Nashville Sustainability Roundtable, Sustainable Workplaces Collaborative, and B Tennessee.
Workplaces Division recently launched a new educational program for Nashville organizations called the Sustainable Workplaces Collaborative.
Exploring Solutions
We explore solutions through our two special initiatives, the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative just installed the third mural in our "Waste Less" murals project, which highlights how food is community. The mural was designed and painted by LeAndra Crystal.
We explore solutions through our two special initiatives, the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative just installed the third mural in our "Waste Less" murals project, which highlights how food is community. The mural was designed and painted by LeAndra Crystal.
The Sustainable Changemakers Collective is more than just a membership program—it's a movement of people committed to transforming Nashville into a culture that values sustainability.
By becoming a member, you're sustaining the work of positive culture change in our city. Plus, members enjoy exclusive benefits like discounts to local businesses and VIP experiences at events.
Program Participant Testimonials
“It makes me happy that there is such a community of inspired people with the goal of making Nashville more sustainable on an individual and community level.”
- Maria Morales, UGL Volunteer
UGL EVENTS
Compost Short Film Launch with the Compost + Coffee Alliances
Join us for the Compost Short Films Launch: Treasure Not Trash, an engaging video series exploring the food journey, why preventing food waste matters, and how individuals and businesses here in Nashville can take action.
Nashville Sustainability Roundtable – January 29, 2026
Join us for the Nashville Sustainability Roundtable on Thursday, January 29th, hosted by Urban Green Lab in partnership with Mane Impact!
Spinning Yarns: Afternoon Tea and Storytelling
You’re invited to join us for an intergenerational gathering around shared craft tables, looms, and tea cups. Across cultures, weaving and sharing tea are acts of patience, intention, and community. […]
THE UGL BLOG
Sustainable Gifting Guide
Less is more this holiday season. Read how to celebrate sustainably, and check out our sustainable gifting guide for gift recommendations.
Feeding Our Neighbors – There’s Enough to Go Around!
“In Middle Tennessee, 1 in 7 people are unsure where their next meal will come from, including 1 in 6 children (Second Harvest, 2025).” This is called food insecurity – […]
Waste Less, Paint More: How Public Art is Sparking a Food Waste Reduction Movement Across U.S. Cities
Public art has the power to grab attention, spark reflection, and bring big ideas into everyday spaces. That’s the goal of the Waste Less Mural Cohort-a national movement using murals […]
UGL News
UGL Executive Director Appointed to Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee
Todd Lawrence, executive director of Urban Green Lab, will co-chair the Waste Reduction subcommittee of the Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Forty-Five K-12 Educators Trained on Sustainability
This spring 45 K-12 teachers were trained on Sustainable Classrooms from 26 schools.
Experts push alternative to recycling
There’s been a lot of bad news lately when it comes to recycling in Nashville. Instead of adding programs, the city keeps taking them away.