Below is an email exchange regarding University Housing recycling:

It was great talking with all of you about sustainability in University Housing. I hope my input didn’t scare you too much. Given our size, and the number off residents we house, we have to maintain some discipline in how we communicate to and interact with our residents. I’m sure we can find a viable method for reaching our residents to inform them of sustainability issues and event across campus. Below are a few talking points I jotted down during out meeting.

• Below are four key communication methods for reaching our residents.

1. 11x17 posters in the dining halls. You would need to produce 200 posters to reach all the halls. I can share any drafts you have with various people in Housing to get their feedback before they are printed.
2. Digital Signs Link: https://housing.illinois.edu/resources/policies/digital-signs
3. Dining hall napkin holders (I need to double check with Thurman Etchison on availability, or Meredith can ask him next time she talks with him)
4. Housing Insider and Family and Graduate Housing Newsletter. The Housing insider a weekly newsletter we send to all undergraduate residents. The FGH Newsletter is sent to all graduate and apartment residents monthly. Notices in the Housing Insider are typically one and done. They don’t like to run the same notice for consecutive weeks at a time.

• I attached our standard recycling container label. This is placed above all recycling containers in Housing and in the trash/recycling rooms in the residence halls.
• Placement of a QR code on the residence hall room recycling containers, similar to what was displayed on the Don’t Waste It recycling containers. I suggest we wait until next summer when the students are not in the rooms to add this to the containers. It’s far less complicated if the residents are not in their rooms. Although, like Meredith suggested, we could explore providing the stickers at the residence hall front desks for the students to place on the containers themselves.
• We discussed incorporating a short segment on sustainability in the RA training at the beginning of the academic year. I will bring this idea to the Residential Life leadership to get their thoughts.
• We also discussed how we might be able to include components on sustainability in our programming to Housing residents. Nathan Sanden is responsible for implementing the Residential Curriculum, so I will share this idea with him for thoughts and input.

I ended up closing the meeting invite without saving, which I was using to keep notes during the meeting. So please let me know if I missed any key takeaways.

BRYAN JOHNSON

------------------------------

Hi Bryan,

Daphne Hulse and I have been developing plans for a campus-wide plastic waste reduction campaign. I think the communication methods you mention below could be valuable for messaging. If you agree, Daphne can incorporate these into the strategy.

We remain interested in adding a sticker with a QR code to the residence hall room recycling containers to direct students to a website with more information about recycling and waste management. Can you provide an estimate of how many stickers we would need?

I also want to follow up on your last two points about incorporating sustainability into RA training and programming to Housing residents. Our survey data indicate that first year students are more likely to purchase single-use plastic bottles, so we think targeting this group is important. Has Residential Life leadership and or Nathan Sanden responded to your inquiries concerning this issue?

If you would like to discuss any of these items further, Daphne and I would be happy to join you on a call.

Thank you,

Jen

------------------------------

Okay, I have some answers for you. Attached is our proposal to the SSC to fund the recycling containers. The original purchase was for 6,511 containers, but I would guess a few have disappeared by now. I was not able to find anyone within our Sustainability LLC to help mange this project or take on submitting another request to SSC to fund the stickers. If we move forward with this project, we will need to meet with Housing Facilities staff to iron out the logistical details. Our facilities staff will not be able to assist with placement of the stickers, so we will need to find a different avenue for getting them placed. I copied Matt Brown and Mark Kuehl from Housing Facilities on the email to keep them in the loop.

Herb Jones, Director of Residential Life, said he is open to a conversation to talk through your thoughts on incorporating a sustainability component into our RA training. Jenny Bates, copied here, manages his calendar, if you would like to reach out to her and schedule a time to meet.

Also, here is an updated link to Housing’s website for digital sign requests. We redesigned our webpage a couple months ago and the old link was inactive.  https://www.housing.illinois.edu/digital-signage

Also, also, I am still trying to confirm if we rent out the space on the napkin holders in the dining halls. We have not done this in the past, but we have a new Director of Dining who might have a different direction for these.

Thanks,

BRYAN JOHNSON

------------------------------

Bryan,

Thank you for sharing this information. It is all very helpful!

Daphne and I can look into developing an SSC proposal, perhaps with the assistance of our iCAP Engagement team. I think we can also find people to help with sticker placement if the project is funded.

We are looking forward to discussing incorporating a sustainability component into RA training with you on April 7 at 3:00 pm.

Best,

Jen

Attendance: Pete Varney, Shawn Patterson, Dan Hiser, Bryan Johnson, Mark Kuehl, Morgan White Daphne Hulse

1. Squirrels. Housing was scouting areas outdoors and BSWs brought up the concern with squirrels.

1. If we collect food, will the squirrels be an issue?

2. We would only accepted closed, non-perishable foods, but this does not ensure students will follow the guidelines exactly.

3. What do the squirrels do?

1. E38 in front of Campus Rec/Scott Hall, squirrels have been seen eating the wiring. BSWs are concerned that squirrels would eat and break things stored in the storage units.

2. PODS locations for LAR, Allen, & Busey. There are not many great spots outdoors.

• Potentially: parking spots - in front of Allen, or over by McKinley.
• Busey: place it on the grass between this area? Not a lot of space.
• All of the other places suggested, it would work okay to put PODS outdoors.

3. Staff to man the storage containers.

1. If volunteer staff are outdoors to open and close the doors to the PODS, it can allow us to keep the PODS idea and also prevent squirrels from entering.

2. Things don’t really get busy until Wednesday. Maybe do a couple hours of pickup during afternoon on Monday and Tuesday. Start full time on Wednesday. Saturday is the last day. No volunteers on Sunday.

4. Dan & Transportation Co. can provide transportation to the places that can’t have a big pod in them.

1. This would follow our original plan to put gaylords in the halls and have them taken to PPSB.

5. Create certain hours for drop off (volunteers man during these hours). All other hours the PODS are closed.

6. Suggested locations for PODS.

1. 4 spots at IKE (one at each corner)

2. 1 PAR

3. 1 ISR

4. 20 footers.

5. Markup on exactly where those are at, LAR-Busey-Allen would go.

6. Northside of Allen Hall/LAR check with transportation people - Morgan will check and copy Daphne.

7. Daphne to reach out to the Main Library about their food pantry.

1. Thurman in Dining may be able to assist with collection.

2. Group agreed that keeping food collection separate from Dump & Run is best.

8. Daphne’s quotes (for local PODS companies) was close to the estimate that Bryan and Mark found.

1. One company was significantly more expensive, probably because they come from Normal, IL (not in town) and they have extra fuel surcharges, expensive pick up and drop off fees.

2023-03-24 Meeting recording here on google drive.

Link to the recording

From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 1:40 PM
To: Kim, Hannah <hannahk9@illinois.edu>
Cc: Vaya, Sakshi <svaya2@illinois.edu>
Subject: FW: Composting Tumbler

Hi Hannah,

During our call yesterday we briefly touched on part 2 of your project, to be informed by the research study. If it is determined a small-scale pilot compost project should be implemented on campus (& depending on the response from the Sustainable Student Farm), this class which regularly produces food scraps might be a great start.

Thank you,
Daphne

Daphne Hulse (she/her)
Zero Waste Coordinator
Facilities & Services | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
+1 (217) 333-7550 | dlhulse2@illinois.edu
 


Please consider the environment before printing an email. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure.

From: Wong, Corina <cwong54@illinois.edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2023 12:13 PM
To: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078@illinois.edu>
Cc: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Subject: Re: Composting Tumbler

Hello Meredith and Daphne, 

My class consists of 40 people (or 20 pairs) and we meet twice a week. Our food scraps would consist of egg shells, fruit, and veggies scraps. I'm thinking about 5-10 pounds a week. It depends on each lab. 

Thanks,

​Corina Wong (she/her/hers)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Food Science Major - Class of 2026

cwong54@illinois.edu | 773-733-3719 

From: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078@illinois.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 11:02 AM
To: Wong, Corina <cwong54@illinois.edu>
Cc: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: Composting Tumbler

Hi Corina,

Thank you for reaching out and for your interest in responsibly disposing of food from FSH 232. I am copying Daphne Hulse, who is the campus Zero Waste Coordinator so that she can stay in the loop as well. We still have a tumbler at the National Soybean Research Center and Presby Hall. These are approximately 65 gallons; do you have an estimate of how much food waste your course generates? The Presby Hall tumbler is not at capacity, so theoretically, you are welcome to use this for vegetable/fruit scraps. We are in the process of identifying a larger scale option though unfortunately this is all we have available at the moment.

Thank you!

Meredith  

--------------------------------------------
“There are a lot of dreamers – dreaming is very important, but it’s really the dreamer and the doer. You’ve got to be the doer.” –Will Steger  

MEREDITH MOORE
Sustainability Programs Manager 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
1101 W Peabody Drive (Suite 382), Urbana, IL, 61801
217.333.0119 | mkm0078@illinois.edu
www.sustainability.illinois.edu
 


Please consider the environment before printing out an email. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure. 

From: Wong, Corina <cwong54@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 10:08 PM
To: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078@illinois.edu>
Subject: Composting Tumbler

Dear Meredith,

My name is Corina Wong, and I am taking FSHN 232: The Science of Food Preparation. When researching composting at UIUC, I found your contact information regarding a composting tumbler. I was wondering if the composting tumbler still exists. 

I'm emailing you because in FSHN 232 we produce a lot of food waste due to the nature of food preparation. Right now, our food waste is simply tossed into the trash. I would like to find a solution to our food waste (and one that would last for future semesters since this class is offered every fall and spring). I was wondering if we could put our food waste into that tumbler. If not, do you have any alternative solutions? I have contacted the dining services, and unfortunately, delivering our food waste to the Grind2Energy services is not possible. 

Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions!

Thanks,

​Corina Wong (she/her/hers)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Food Science Major - Class of 2026

cwong54@illinois.edu | 773-733-3719 

How can students support waste management on campus?

https://dailyillini.com/life_and_culture-stories/2023/03/17/students-was...

By Lily Perez, Contributing Writer
March 17, 2023

Have you ever placed something in a recycling bin and wondered what happens next? Does it actually get recycled, or does it just get tossed in the landfill without ever being sorted out?

Students said it can be hard to be committed to sustainability when resources to do so are not always clear.

Adeline Hoegberg, junior in FAA, said she does not have a lot of knowledge about where the trash on campus is taken or how big of a difference the University is making with their waste management systems.

“I’ve heard that all of the recycling would just end up in the normal trash,” Hoegberg said.

The Waste Transfer Station in Champaign filters out around 30% of the trash that comes in, but still sends around 50 pounds to the landfill each day. This is not taking into account busier times like holidays and move-in days for students.

The Waste Transfer Station is located just off of St. Mary’s Road in Champaign and takes in trash from all various places on campus. This includes instructional facilities, University Housing, Illini Union and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Daphne Hulse works as the Facilities & Services zero waste coordinator, a new position focused on decreasing the amount of waste that goes through the University. Hulse works on various outreach projects, including hosting tours of the Waste Transfer Station.

“These tours are a really unique opportunity to illuminate to the broader campus community what goes on after you put something in the bin,” Hulse said.

Adam Soper, senior in FAA, recalled seeing several recycling places on campus but, like many other students, hasn’t heard of the Waste Transfer Station on campus.

“I know all the dorms have dedicated recycling bins,” Soper said. “But I’m not necessarily sure where those get dumped to.”

Another program that Hulse is facilitating in collaboration with Coca-Cola and the DIA is the “Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste” campaign. This campaign has students volunteer at basketball games to encourage recycling at sporting events. The last zero waste basketball game was March 2 and had 100 volunteers.

“(We’re) creating that general awareness for sustainability in an audience with not just students but townies, out of state folks and athletic rivals,” Hulse said.

Despite these programs, it can be hard for students to recycle on campus and even more so on their own where businesses and residencies don’t provide recycling services. Along with a lack of opportunity, some students feel that recycling doesn’t have a huge impact.

“I’m under the strong feeling that you can’t solely rely on us recycling,” Hoegberg said. “It’s more about the corporations if you really want to fix things.”

Soper said he would most likely not see discernible difference in a world without recycling.

“It wouldn’t be a whole lot different because the recycling practices aren’t widespread enough to be making a huge impact on the scale that we’d be able to really see,” Soper said.

Hulse recognizes that sustainability can seem isolating at times but encourages students to join organizations and communities that bring collective action. She highlighted the RSO Project4Less, whose members package leftover food in good condition and ship it out to food assistance programs in the surrounding area.

“The human connection component of climate change is so important,” Hulse said. “I think we often feel stuck by ‘what can I do as an individual’ in this global planetary crisis.”

Aside from joining sustainability-focused communities, Hulse also recommends learning what people can about what’s happening in the community and leading by example.  

“We know reduce, reuse, recycle. But what about at the start of all of that, refuse,” Hulse said. “What could you refuse in your day-to-day life and start small. For example, I know students really enjoy coffee and many, many, many places around campus will take your reusable cup.”

Hulse was particularly inspired by her mother who showed her that small habits, like using reusable bags at the grocery store, can make a big change. Hulse encourages students to look for that positive influence around them and wants students to be that influence in their own sustainability journey.

“A community that is pursuing zero waste imperfectly is far better than a few individuals doing it perfectly,” Hulse said.

lilygp2@dailyillini.com