Sustainable in the City
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 Nashville Department of Waste Services that highlights the small sustainable actions that are making a big impact on Nashville. We chat with everyday Nashvillians like your neighbors, coworkers, and fellow community members. From reducing waste to planting trees, our guests share their stories about the benefits, barriers, and motivators behind everyday choices.
Episodes air on the third Tuesday of each month. Sustainable in the City can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Tune in and be inspired by the power of individual action!
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 Sustainable in the City Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Sustainable in the City episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Sustainable in the City for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Sustainable in the City episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Litter in the City
Sustainable in the City
09/17/24 • 36 min
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
Beautification in the City
Sustainable in the City
03/18/25 • 38 min
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
Compost in the City
Sustainable in the City
07/16/24 • 39 min
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
Low Waste in the City
Sustainable in the City
12/17/24 • 48 min
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
Podcast in the City
Sustainable in the City
06/18/24 • 26 min
Welcome to the Sustainable in the City Podcast! In this introduction episode, Allie and Karissa talk about the transition from a webinar to a podcast and their individual sustainability journeys.
•••
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
Trailer: Welcome to Sustainable in the City!
Sustainable in the City
05/23/24 • 0 min
Welcome to the Sustainable in the City Podcast!
•••
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
Adopt-a-Street in the City
Sustainable in the City
01/21/25 • 39 min
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.
- For streets in Nashville: Use the city'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
Civics in the City
Sustainable in the City
02/18/25 • 36 min
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
Repair in the City
Sustainable in the City
08/20/24 • 38 min
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
Cycle in the City
Sustainable in the City
10/15/24 • 36 min
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:
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
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FAQ
How many episodes does Sustainable in the City have?
Sustainable in the City currently has 11 episodes available.
What topics does Sustainable in the City cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Resilience, Environmental, Nashville, Environment, Podcasts, City, Green, Education and Sustainability.
What is the most popular episode on Sustainable in the City?
The episode title 'Podcast in the City' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Sustainable in the City?
The average episode length on Sustainable in the City is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of Sustainable in the City released?
Episodes of Sustainable in the City are typically released every 28 days.
When was the first episode of Sustainable in the City?
The first episode of Sustainable in the City was released on May 23, 2024.
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