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UT Office of Sustainability

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Jay Price

Sustainability Manager

Contact Information:

Phone: (865) 974-3480

Email: jayprice@utk.edu

Fax: (865) 974-7786

About:

Jay Price has served with UT Facilities Services for 14 years. He holds a bachelors degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Bioregional Planning from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Memphis. Jay is a Professional Energy Manager (PEM) and has held various positions in recycling and sustainability at both UT and Utah State. When he’s not at work, Jay enjoys biking along greenways and trails with his family and doing his part to pick up trash and recycle as much of it as he can. Jay met his Colombian wife, Bárbara, during a 3-semester stay in Brazil. They were married in Colombia and lived there for 3 months before her visa came through.

The Office of Sustainability works to coordinate, manage, advise, and report on sustainable initiatives at University of Tennessee, Knoxville through research, data collection, and collaboration with a variety of on-campus and community stakeholders.They seek to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus, to divert all waste that is produced into sustainable and economically efficient outlets, and to educate students, staff, and faculty on the benefits of waste diversion and engage them in the process.

In addition, UT’s Office of Sustainability provides recycling collections services to all campus buildings and provides compost collection services to most campus dining facilities. The office promotes simple living and the Zero Waste lifestyle. The Office of Sustainability is responsible for engaging the UT community through volunteer opportunities and educational programs, as well as the contribution to the development of sustainable practices and planning.

Campus Recycling

Recyclable on UT Campus: paper, plastic (bags, bottles, etc.), aluminum cans, cardboard, food waste, pallets, electronic waste, and fluorescent and CFL lightbulbs.

NOT Recyclable on UT Campus: expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), glass, heavily contaminated food containers and aluminum foil.
For a more complete list of what UT Recycling handles, view the UT Recycling Guide More information can also be found on the UT Recycling Web site.

Campus Compost

Our UT Compost Facility composted over 730 tons of food waste, animal waste, and landscaping debris in 2021. This finished compost is taken to multiple spots throughout campus. The food waste is collected in partnership with all UT dining facilities daily, while student workers collect other food and animal waste throughout campus. More information can also be found on the UT Composting web page.

Campus Free Store

The Free Store is a community share space that allows UT students to shop for free, high-quality, lightly-used clothing, kitchenware, accessories, and small appliances at regularly scheduled Free Store Pop-Up events held throughout each academic year. The items at the Free Store are donated by UT students and members of the community as an alternative option to throwing old clothes and other items in the landfill. The Campus Free Store started with pop-ups in 2018, and it has officially grown to a permanent location at 915 22nd Street! Stop by to see what treasures you might find.

The Grow Lab

The Grow Lab is an experiential learning garden that aims to increase community and campus engagement with sustainable food production and research! All produce that we grow is donated to the Big Orange Pantry.