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.
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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.
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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.
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Tips for Dining Deliberately
As we host the Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge, here are a few tips for dining more deliberately at a restaurant or at home.
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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.
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Urban Green Lab Publishes 2023 Annual Report
Urban Green Lab shares the 2023 Annual Report showcasing program achievements and stories from stakeholders
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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.
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Mayor Cooper issues challenge to restaurant industry to reduce waste, feed the hungry
Local restaurants challenged to reduce the amount of food they waste while helping to feed hungry Nashvillians throughout the holiday season and beyond.
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Kroger donates to Metro Schools food program
On Giving Tuesday, Kroger is investing in Nashville schools to give each student the chance to take a class for reducing food waste.
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