News & Events

Join In & Recycle Your World!

GREEN CAMPUS INITIATIVES

In 2011 the Green Campus Initiative evolved from a College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Science initiative to a University-wide Initiative. Dr. Smith was subsequently involved in several initial projects early in 2011 related to the Green Campus Initiative, including planning and design of the Agriculture Research and Education Center’s (AREC) master plan, which has a primary goal to utilize an approximately 120- acre plot of land as a uniquely sustainable research and education demonstration site through incorporation of education and a sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) compliant landscape design for the future site of the CAHNS Biotechnology Lab complex, which will also be LEED compliant.

CRIME PREVENTION GOING GREEN

The TSU Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit (TSUPD) has invested in the groundbreaking T3 Patroller electric standup vehicle (ESV), a zero-gas-emission, clean-energy innovation that is simple, intuitive, and economical to operate. The T3 Patroller is truly the next generation in green personal transportation solutions. Also, the Segway transportation device is utilized by the TSUPD; this device has two wheels that the rider stands between on a small platform, a long handle, and is self-balancing. This device can operate in any level pedestrian environment, another investment in TSU’s “going green” efforts.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT

Facilities Management’s Electric Department is in the process of upgrading the lighting in the TSU North Campus area. By upgrading over one hundred (100) parking lot lights with LEED fixtures, TSU will decrease the power usage while providing an increased lighting footprint. Additionally, a number of the lights in the heart of the campus will be replaced with LEED fixtures that will increase the light output twofold without increasing the amount of power consumed, thus conserving energy while increasing safety. These LEED fixtures are made in a Chattanooga Tennessee Company, Global Green Lighting. Installation will begin in April 2013 with a completion target date of fall 2013.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT WASTE DEPARTMENT

Facilities Management’s Waste Management Department made a giant step in contributing to environmental preservation which benefited TSU financially. In 2011 TSU recycled 95 tons of aluminum, cardboard, paper, books, scrap metals, plastic, and wood pallets. These recycling efforts conserved the following resources: 1,266 mature trees were saved (representing enough saved timber resources to produce more than 15,680,100 sheets of newspaper); 301 cubic yards of landfill airspace (representing enough airspace to fulfill the municipal waste disposal needs for 386 people for one year); 380,616 kWh of electricity from recycling (enough power to fulfill the annual electricity needs of more than 31 homes); 165 barrels of oil (representing enough energy to heat and cool more than 34 homes for one year); avoided 533 Metric Tons (MTC02E) of GHG Emissions; 481,950 gallons of water (representing enough fresh water to meet the daily fresh water needs of more than 6,426 people).

“The Department of Sustainability”

Beginning January 31, 2014, Metro Public Works and Tennessee State University partnered to open a recycling drop-off site at 38th Avenue North & Albion Street. Revenue from the recycling drop-off site will benefit Tennessee State University. The following items are collected: Mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, glass containers, plastic bottles and containers.

The drop-off site services the university and the North Nashville community. The hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily.