Vanderbilt the Possible
Imagining a Sustainable Campus
Soap Shop
We have a vision for an expanded soap shop at Vanderbilt so that we can explore the full benefits of biodiesel, including its byproduct, Glycerin, to make eco-friendly soap. In this way, we can curb Vandy’s consumption of petroleum-based fuel by making use of local waste vegetable oil from campus dining, the main ingredient for biodiesel production.
Where We Are
Currently, Vanderbilt's student-run organization, the Alternative Energy Club, produces an environmentally friendly soap called EcoSuds that is made from glycerin, a by-product of biodiesel. The only additive to EcoSuds beyond Glycerin, is a natural scent that gives the soap an appealing fragrance. EcoSuds is not only an environmentally friendlier alternative to other soaps, but it is safer too. Although all soap kills bacteria, EcoSuds does it without lots of chemical additives. EcoSuds are currently available for use in many of the bathrooms in Featheringill Hall as well as the library restrooms throughout campus.
Where We Are Going
We believe that an expanded version of the Alternative Energy Club's efforts would allow Vanderbilt to further increase their reliability on biodiesel products, moving away from the consumption of petroleum-based products. Since the current production of EcoSuds does not provide enough for the entirety of campus, the Soap Shop would solve this problem, producing enough soap to fill all of the on-campus soap dispensers in an efficient manner. Additionally, the Soap Shop would create on-campus jobs for students as well as members of the larger Nashville area. In this way, the Soap Shop is not only environmentally sustainable, but also engenders a sense of communal sustainability.
How To Get Involved
University of Florida
Students at the University of Florida teamed up to produce and sell sustainable, gator-shaped soaps, promoting sustainable fuel and biodiesel production. The soap, called Gator Glyss, is organic and sustainable. It is made using glycerin, and instead of using fragrances, students add essential oils to Gator Glyss made from fruit peels collected from UF campus eateries.
Where
Stevenson Center
Success Stories
Knice-N-Clean Soap Company
Knice-N-Clean Soap Company is dedicated to the development of innovative quality soap products made from biodiesel glycerin. The company aims to raise awareness of the advantages of using biodiesel glycerin in the production of soap. The use of biodiesel can greatly diminish the cost of production of making soap without sacrificing quality. While selling their own biodiesel soap, the company also sells the supplies, equipment and provides recipes for customers to make their own at home!