Funded in early 2023, this project aims to develop an automated waste characterization system that uses recent advances in computer vision to detect and classify waste more efficiently for recycling. It will also create a dashboard with live data on the nature and extent of waste generated at the U of I to motivate the campus community to follow best practices for waste disposal and recycling and to help meet zero-waste goals in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP).

The Prairie Research (PRI), Student Sustainability Committee (SSC), Facilities & Services (F&S), Illinois Water Resources Center (IWRC), Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), and the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) gathered on Feb. 27, 2023, to break ground on installing an underground thermal battery (UTB) at the  Energy Farm in Urbana, IL.

Bottled water has been identified by sustainability leaders as a significant source of single-use plastic waste on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Dining convenience stores and athletic facilities have been identified as primary locations for single-use bottle sales.

In Champaign-Urbana, more than 20 different food truck vendors can be found regularly circulating through the cities. Many of these food trucks can be found around the University of Illinois streets, students being a primary consumer of their offerings. Businesses, especially those which serve food and drink, have a unique opportunity to address sustainability within their operations. To-go, delivery, and food trucks have the unique addition of disposable products as part of their service to customers.

To be filled in later

The Illini Union is in the early stages of implementing a pre-consumer waste composting pilot program. Several businesses already participate in a composting program with the City of Urbana Landscape Recycling Center. More information to follow!

Coca-Cola is partnering with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on a "Don't Waste" campaign to bring recycling and waste awareness to campus. The company is partnering with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University Housing, the Illini Union, the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, F&S, and others to keep plastic and metal drink containers out of the campus waste stream.

Funded in early 2022, this project seeks to develop a network of academic researchers and social justice organizers to empower communities of color to address health disparities rooted in systemic racism. It will target communities affected by hazardous waste from former manufactured gas plants (MGPs), using a neighborhood in Champaign, Ill., as a living lab. 

Under the umbrella of OIIR and along with several partners throughout our community, we seek to explore the feasibility of a multifunctional space which will allow for in-depth examinations of the complex layers of diversity, equity,and inclusion. Said space will accommodate our interest in building upon existing campus conversations and knowledge generation with regard to sustainability and environmental justice.

Sustainable World Network. Details coming!