February 21, 2014

Vanderbilt named Recycler of the Year

Vanderbilt University has been recognized by the Tennessee Recycling Coalition as the 2013 Nonprofit Recycler of the Year and for having the 2013 Recycling Video of the Year in the higher education category.

By: VUMC News and Communications
Tennessee Recycling Coalition board member Debi Stevenson-Brown and president Gail Randolph presented the 2013 Recycler of the Year award to Vanderbilt’s Mark Petty, assistant vice chancellor for plant operations, and Matthew Buckley, campus recycling manager. Pictured (l-r) are Stevenson-Brown, Buckley, Petty and Randolph. (Photo courtesy of Robert Wheaton/VEHS)

Vanderbilt University has been recognized by the Tennessee Recycling Coalition as the 2013 Nonprofit Recycler of the Year and for having the 2013 Recycling Video of the Year in the higher education category. These awards recognize individuals, organizations, schools and businesses in the state of Tennessee that have demonstrated a strong commitment to waste reduction and recycling.

Many factors contributed to Vanderbilt winning the Nonprofit Recycler of the Year award, including:

  • Strong executive leadership and a commitment to environmental stewardship and natural resource conservation that is clearly demonstrated by the Vanderbilt University Environmental Commitment Statement;
  • Robust, expanding recycling programs throughout Vanderbilt’s academic and medical center campuses as evidenced by the 5 million pounds of recyclables collected in 2012—a 60 percent increase over the amount collected in 2011—as well as innovative recycling programs for scrap metal and single-use medical devices at VUMC;
  • Significant participation by Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and visitors in the university’s recycling and other sustainability programs through the activities of groups such as Vandy Eco-Dores and Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility; and

The Recycling Video of the Year was awarded for “Recycling Makes Sense!” which was produced in 2012 as a joint effort between Vanderbilt’s Tongue ‘n’ Cheek improv comedy troupe and Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office to promote recycling among Vanderbilt students in campus residence halls. Watch the award-winning video.

The Tennessee Recycling Coalition is a nonprofit partnership of private business, federal and state agencies, cities and counties, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, educational institutions and individuals. Its mission is to promote the statewide adoption of waste reduction and recycling, to provide information and education, and to partner to address waste issues in the state of Tennessee.
 To find more information on the Tennessee Recycling Coalition or to get involved, visit the organization’s webpage.

For more information about recycling and sustainability at Vanderbilt, please visit SustainVU or become a fan of SEMO’s SustainVU Facebook page.

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