Projects - 2007-2008

Composting

Compost Discovery Area

The pilot compost site, known as the Compost Discovery Area on Peabody Commons, is entering its second seasonal cycle. There are 4 square bins with 4ft sides. They compost fruit and vegetable scraps from the Commons Dining Center food preparation kitchen and coffee grounds from Common Grounds using the hot compost method. The hot compost method utilizes aerobic microorganisms that generate heat while ecomposing the food into highly nutrient-dense soil. The piles are turned using a pitchfork about wice a week to increase air exposure, and watered if necessary. They do not smell bad, because there are no animal products or cooked foods, and are aesthetically attractive due to the colorful collage of lettuce, tomato, melon, pineapple, eggplant, etc.

Composting has launched an informative video that will be the first in a how-to series intended for students, faculty and staff.

See also: InsideVandy day-in-the-life exposé of composting site hosted by Luke Boehne. Video by Aarika Patel. - http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/6621/play

On November 14, 2007, we celebrated the Compost Discovery Area initiation at the Commons Dining Center patio.

Dining Initiatives

Dining initiatives include a discount for purchasing a beverage in a reusable container at Rand, the sale of reusable water bottles (plastic and aluminum) in the bookstore, recycling in the dining centers, and signs discouraging styrofoam containers for dining-in at Rand.

Dining has big hopes!

• We want compostable disposables in the dining centers and all campus restaurants (assuming they will be composted).
• Dialog with campus' chefs is underway to uphold the most sustainable food buying practices such as sustainable seafood, local produce, and organics and all naturals.

To learn more about Compost or got questions, contact Anna Simon (anna.m.simon @at vanderbilt .dot edu) or Luke Boehne (luke.c.boehne @at vanderbilt .dot edu).

For Dining, contact Luke Boehne (luke.c.boehne @at vanderbilt .dot edu).

Educational

Focus the Nation

Last year, SPEAR hosted a two-week film series for Focus the Nation, a national teach-in designed to raise awareness of environmental issues and solutions. The series consisted of two showings of Leonardo DiCaprio's The 11^th Hour, a documentary that focuses on the international consequences of global warming, and one showing of Jeff Barrie's Kilowatt Ours, a documentary which explores not only the effects pollution but what individuals can do to create a more sustainable future. These showings featured post-screening panel discussions where professors and professionals offered their take on the film in addition to answering any questions. On the final night, Jeff Barrie, creator and director of Kilowatt Ours, lead a discussion in which he challenged the audience to make their houses more eco-friendly while he also facilitated an in-depth question-and-answer session. Overall, these screenings taught over 200 Vanderbilt students an faculty about the dangers of global warming and how they can change their own habits to prevent an international disaster.

To learn more about Kilowatt Ours, visit http://www.kilowattours.org/news-media-resources.php

Contact Persons: Clay Ciese (clay.w.ciese @at vanderbilt .dot edu), Matt Irwin (matthew.t.irwin @at vanderbilt .dot edu)

Off-Campus

Bottle Bill

SPEAR supports TN Bottle Bill. A campaign to rally student support for cycling bottled water out of our campus is on the rise. Bottled water is a catastrophic burden on our landfills, roads and airways, and oil reserves. Last spring, over 100 students from Vanderbilt and surrounding high schools gathered at the capitol and rallied for a bottle bill that would make every bottle have a five cent refund. A five cent tax would be incorporated within the purchase of the product beforehand. This bill would help Nashville reducing litter, promoting recycling, creating new jobs, and providing other benefits. In preparation for the event at the capitol, Vanderbilt students gathered at Centennial Park with a large banner while informing pedestrians of the upcoming event. Highlights of the event at the capitol include a tour of the building in which groups of students visited representatives and urged them to pass this new legislation. For the latest information on the bottle bill, visit http://www.tnbottlebill.org/ and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13723825195

Contact persons: Jeremy Doochin (jeremy @at jeremy2008.com), Becca Maddox

Recycling

Cardboard Recycling During Move-in Day (2007)

Residential Recycling Pick-up

SPEAR and Wilskills has also been a part of a volunteer residential recycling system. The recycling bins around residential halls were emptied and taken to a recycling drop off point by SPEAR and Wilskil members. Currently, this volunteering service has been converted into a Federal Work Study Program due to the sheer size of the program.

Contact Person: Wern Ong (luei.w.ong @at vanderbilt .dot edu)

Bamboo Bike Trailer

To pick up cardboard recycling from various departments within campus, SPEAR constructed a bike trailer made out of bamboo. Hooked up to a bike, this allowed for efficient transport of cardboard. Using this, SPEAR was able to provide a green service not previously available, and do it in a green way.

Video: http://www.insidevandy.com/specialfeatures/recycling/modal_video.html

Contact Person: Wern Ong (luei.w.ong @at vanderbilt .dot edu), Tiffany Cheng (tiffany.t.cheng @at vanderbilt .dot edu)

Rites of Spring Recycling

SPEAR coordinated efforts to pick up all recycable materials after Vanderbilt's 2 day spring concert featuring acts such as Lil' Jon and Spoon. After each night SPEAR would comb through the lawn and properly dispose of cans and bottles, while also picking up valuables left behind at Rites of Spring. 980 pounds of aluminum were collected after Rites of Spring, nearly a 100 pound increase from last year.

Contact Person: Wern Ong (luei.w.ong @at vanderbilt .dot edu)