Sustainable in the City

By Urban Green Lab and the Nashville Department of Waste Services

"Sustainable in the City" is a podcast co-hosted by Urban Green Lab and the

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FAQs about Sustainable in the City:

How many episodes does Sustainable in the City have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

Sustainable in the City episodes:

April 15, 2025 Podcast in the City, Part 2
In Allie's final episode, join Allie and Karissa they reflect on previous episodes and how Sustainable in the City has impacted them.
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
29min
March 18, 2025Beautification in the City
This month, join District 24 Metro Nashville Beautification Commissioner Kate to talk about local beautification efforts, the power of getting outside, and how even the least outdoorsy person can connect with nature.
Resources mentioned during the episode & more:
Learn about Metro Beautification & Environment Commission
Look up your Council Member
Learn about Harpeth Conservancy and Cumberland River Compact
Watch S3E2 Culturally-Centered Nature Programming
Follow @HowDoI615 and Kate’s e-newsletter [email protected]
Learn about NDOT (Nashville Department of Transportation)
Save money and electricity by insulating your electrical outlets
Visit a Nashville Department of Waste Services Convenience Center
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
39min
February 18, 2025Civics in the City
This month, join Sofia to learn about one way to get more involved with your city: MyCity Academy. MyCity Academy helps immigrant, refugee, and new Nashvillians gain insights into Metro Nashville's structure, services, and sustainability efforts. Tune in to hear how Sofia plans to use her time in the MyCity program to contribute to a cleaner and greener Nashville.
Resources mentioned during the episode & more:
Learn more about MyCity Academy
Become a Urban Green Lab Volunteer
Get a pothole fixed through hubNashville online, on the app, or by calling 311
Tour Nashville's recycling facility
Tour Nashville's water treatment plant
Learn about the transit referendum: Choose How You Move
Shop used art supplies at secondhand craft stores like Turnip Green Creative Reuse and Smart Art + Craft Supplies
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
37min
January 21, 2025Adopt-a-Street in the City
This month, join LeLann who adopted a street in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood and celebrates his birthday by hosting a litter pick-up party! With cupcakes, music, and community vibes, he turns his annual clean-up into an impactful celebration. 🎉 Tune in to hear how LeLann is making Nashville cleaner and greener, one street at a time.
Resources mentioned during the episode & more:
Borrow neighborhood clean-up supplies from Metro Nashville Beautification
Apply for Adopt-a-Street
For streets in Nashville: Use the city's Adopt-a-Street application.
For state-owned streets in Tennessee: Use the state’s Adopt-a-Street application.
Report illegal dumping on hubNashville
Watch this News Channel 5 spotlight on LeLann's birthday clean ups
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
40min
December 17, 2024Low Waste in the City
Join low waste couple Michael and Nancy as they share their ever-growing list of sustainable household practices—ditching non-recyclable packaging, swapping paper towels for reusable cloths, cutting junk mail, backyard composting, and so much more. Competitive by nature, the pair discusses how they keep each other on track and even inspire friends and family to adopt eco-friendly habits. Don’t miss this final episode of 2024, packed with practical tips to kickstart your sustainable new year.
See you in 2025!
Resources mentioned during the episode & more:
Find more information about the Nashville Department of Waste Services tips for backyard composting and Earth Machine backyard compost bins.
Check out Urban Green Lab’s sustainable gifting guide.
Find more information about Metro Nashville Water Services rain barrels and read the Annual Consumer Confidence Report on Nashville’s water quality.
Opt out of receiving junk mail with Catalog Choice.
Visit Nashville’s refill stores, The Good Fill and Sage Refill Market.
Learn about recycling bottles, jars, and jugs in the first episode of Sustainable in the City.
Sign up for the Nash Trash Newsletter to receive notice for the next recycling facility tour.
Learn more about the work of state and local sustainability organizations, like Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Environmental Council, Cumberland River Compact, and The Nashville Food Project.
Visit second-hand retails, like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, ThriftSmart, and Goodwill.
Try Michael and Nancy’s favorite homemade hummus recipe.
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
49min
November 19, 2024Cooking in the City
This month, join local chef Mariah as she whips up a batch of sustainable cooking tips, including how to use the whole ingredient (yes, even those "ugly" veggie bits!), and freeze leftovers to reduce waste in the kitchen. She’ll spill the beans on creative ways to cut down on food waste, save some dough, and make the most out of every meal. Mariah will inspire you to chop, freeze, and sauté your way to a greener kitchen!
Resources mentioned during the episode & more:
Composting options in Nashville:
Compost Company for businesses
Compost Nashville and REGENR8 for paid household collection
Convenience Centers for free drop-off composting
Use the Guest-imator, a dinner party calculator that estimates how much food you need to keep your guests full & happy
Learn how to freeze and properly store food
Make a low-waste pesto
Learn how to dehydrate food
Check out farmers markets in Nashville
Find Mariah on Instagram @RadicalRabbit_
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
41min
October 15, 2024Cycle in the City
In this month’s episode, ride along with Al as they share their individual journey in creating a queer-affirming bike club in Nashville and the benefits of taking sustainable actions with a community. They share tips and tricks for staying safe on Nashville roads and using our bikes longer to keep them out of the landfill. Their story will leave you ready to repair your bike and hit the Nashville roads on two wheels. Tune in and be inspired by the power of individual action!
Resources mentioned during the episode:
Watch S1E18 - Walk Bike Nashville, S1E21 - Nashville’s Traffic Calming Program, and S3E1 - Riding into a Sustainable Future
Review Nashville Bike and Pedestrian Laws
Get familiar with WeGo’s Bike Racks
Check out Walk Bike Nashville’s Bicycle Clubs List and Events Calendar
Try the Biking Layer on Google Maps
Bicycle clubs recommended by Al:
Music City Dope Pedalers
Find Al at @QueerSpokes.BC on Instagram
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
37min
September 17, 2024Litter in the City
In this month's episode, join DJ as he shares how small actions like organizing litter cleanups and urbanism meetups can have a big impact. Urbanism is all about shaping our cities to make them more livable and connected. From cleaner streets to better public spaces, DJ reminds us that every *litter* bit counts to make Nashville neighborhoods clean and green. Tune in and be inspired by the power of individual action!
Resources mentioned during the episode:
Watch S1E6 - The Life of Litter in Our Environment and Ecological System
Borrow neighborhood clean-up supplies from Metro Nashville Beautification
Learn about the trash robots in Memphis
Volunteer to pick up trash in neighborhoods with Recycle Reinvest
Is East Nashville about to experience a setback? Article written by DJ
Urban Planet Nashville
Books recommended by DJ
Walkable City by Jeff Speck
Collapse by Jared Diamond
The Long Emergency by James Howard Kunstler
Human Transit by Jarrett Walker
Check out the Happy Urbanist
Follow DJ @UrbanEastNash on X
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
37min
August 20, 2024Repair in the City
In this month’s episode, join repair enthusiast Blake Mohler as he dives into his favorite hobby—bringing broken items back to life. Whether it's a lamp that’s lost its light or a coffee machine that’s gone cold, Blake’s got a fix for it. He shares his favorite tricks and free resources to help you tackle your own repair projects. Plus, get ready for some fun stories about the people he’s met along his journey of "fixing." Tune in for Blake’s tips, tricks, and tales that will make you think twice before buying new.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
S3E5 - Borrow Instead of Buy (Urban Green Lab/Nashville Waste Services)
Green Hills Repair Fair - September 14, 2024 (Nashville Public Library)
Repair Fair Coach Sign Up (Nashville Public Library)
Introduction to Visible Mending
Kintsugi
YouTube
Facebook Marketplace
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
39min
July 16, 2024Compost in the City
In this month's episode, join Ivan as he shares his journey into composting by offering tips and tricks to make it a fun and engaging activity for the whole family. Don’t miss out on his insights and experiences in keeping food scraps out of the trash and turning them into valuable compost.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
Nashville’s Free Drop-Off Composting Service (Nashville Waste Services)
Composting at Home (Nashville Waste Services)
Dirt on Composting On-Demand Webinar (Nashville Waste Services)
Nashville’s Food Scraps Pickup Pilot (Nashville Waste Services)
Food Waste Education Resources (Urban Green Lab)
•••
Hosts: Allie Omens & Karissa Hampton
Producer: Simone Chhut
Music: Draped Apes

Contact Sustainable in the City!
Email: [email protected]

Learn More
Nashville Waste Services: WasteServices.Nashville.gov
Urban Green Lab: UrbanGreenLab.org
...more
40min

FAQs about Sustainable in the City:

How many episodes does Sustainable in the City have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.