Vanderbilt University Campus Dining has been honored with the for Sustainable Performance for its leadership in .听
Presented by Gov. Bill Lee and the , the award celebrates organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to protecting the state鈥檚 natural resources. Vanderbilt鈥檚 initiatives in waste reduction, local sourcing and sustainability education contributed to its selection.听
鈥淲e are incredibly proud of this recognition and the hard work that has gone into making Vanderbilt a leader in sustainability,鈥� said Sean Carroll, senior director for Auxiliary Services. 鈥淧rograms like ReusePass and 鈥楴o.More.Plastic.鈥� have not only transformed our operations, but also demonstrated what鈥檚 possible when we prioritize environmental stewardship.鈥�听
Innovative waste reduction initiatives听
Two key waste reduction initiatives lead the way in Campus Dining鈥檚 sustainability efforts. The 鈥�狈辞.惭辞谤别.笔濒补蝉迟颈肠.鈥� campaign, launched in 2019, eliminated single-use plastic water and soda bottles in Campus Dining locations. In 2021, the program expanded to athletic events, which removed over 25,000 plastic bottles a year from stadium concessions and saves more than 1.7 million plastic bottles during a graduating class鈥� 4-year experience.听
The program, a reusable container initiative fully implemented in 2023, complements No.More.Plastic. Through ReusePass, students, faculty and staff can choose reusable to-go containers at no extra cost, which reduces the need for disposable ones. The program has already saved more than 44,000 single-use containers from landfills.听听听
Campus Dining also donates surplus food weekly to the and . This not only reduces the university鈥檚 food waste, but also aids in combating food insecurity for our neighbors in Middle Tennessee.听
Local sourcing and sustainability education听
Vanderbilt鈥檚 approach to sustainability includes and campus engagement. Campus Dining works with local farms and , investing more than $250,000 annually in local agriculture. Additionally, 15 on campus produce fresh greens and herbs that are used in dining facilities鈥攚hich means less food trucked to campus.听听
鈥淰anderbilt鈥檚 sustainability initiatives are a testament to our commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,鈥� said David ter Kuile, associate vice chancellor for auxiliary services. 鈥淏y partnering with local producers and educating our campus community, we鈥檙e not only reducing our environmental impact, but also supporting the local economy.鈥�听
In fiscal year 2023, Vanderbilt expanded its composting efforts, diverting over 256,300 pounds of food waste from landfills and transforming it into compost for use on campus and across Middle Tennessee. This partnership with aligns with the university鈥檚 holistic approach to sustainability.听
A model for sustainable dining听
Vanderbilt鈥檚 recognition in the Sustainable Performance award category reflects the university鈥檚 commitment to being a leader in environmental stewardship. Its broader sustainability strategy is to achieve 鈥渮ero-waste鈥� by 2030, and along the way be a model of excellence in sustainable operations that serves as an example for institutions nationwide.听
Vanderbilt will join other winners from across Tennessee鈥攊ncluding the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee, at an awards presentation in October.听
