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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  6. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    Here is the latest on zero-waste from the past week: 

    • I put a local farmer, John McNally, in touch with Rebecca Seymour, who manages the Starbuck’s at the Illini Union. I was able to learn that coffee grounds can be stored in plastic bins with lids until they are ready for use, although the lid should be kept on as they mold quickly and emit a nasty odor. John is able to pick up the grounds and will arrange pickup directly with Rebecca. 
    • I also let Rebecca know that I heard back from the Urbana Park District, and they will see if any of their gardeners are interested in the used coffee grounds. Starbuck’s corporate has a program for packaging small quantities of used grounds for same-day pickup that may be a good fit for individual gardeners. I sent program information to Rebecca as well. 
    • I went by PPSB today to take a look at the trailer for nitrile gloves but was unable to identify which container it was. I have a note out to Morgan and Anna to see if it makes sense for me to get a “tour”/demo one weekend or when I’m in town on Feb. 19. Once I see the trailer and how it works, I’ll be able to draft better instructions for glove recycling program participants. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  11. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Happy New Year! Before the holiday break I only worked a 2 day week. Nothing of note occurred. Although the records show we had 25 people in, so that’s cool.

    On to the numbers!

    Sales: $309.50
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $180
    Bikes (B-a-B): 0 for $0
    Tubes: 2 for $8

    Stay warm!

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  12. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    Here are my zero-waste activities from the past week: 

    • Drafted instructions for opening the trailer where participants can drop off full containers of nitrile gloves for recycling. I will need to redraft the instructions after viewing the trailer itself. I had planned to go by and see it today, but with it being the coldest day of the millennium, I thought perhaps I could postpone until it’s above zero again! 
    • Drafted the Fall 2017 semester report that Morgan will submit to the Student Sustainability Committee
    • Continued my search for information on how best to store used coffee grounds—Rebecca Seymour at the Illini Union Starbuck’s asked if I had the information, so I have been researching it for her. So far, we have one farmer (John McNally) who would like to use the coffee grounds. I am working with him and Rebecca to arrange for him to pick them up.
    • Drafted replies to a CURC survey and requested information from Morgan that will allow me to complete it.

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  14. SSC funds four SAFS projects

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Sustainable Agricultural Food System

    The Illinois Sustainable Food Project (ISFP) strives to provide locally-sourced, healthy, and nutritious product for UIUC Dining while providing an educational experience to the student body. SSC grants the Food Science & Human Nutrition Pilot Processing Plant (FSHN-PPP) funding to complete four projects: Extrusion expansion, tortilla expansion, puree expansion, and a hand washing station. These four projects will bring new campus grown and produced foods to dining services while providing students with invaluable learning opportunities. 

     

    Attached Files: 

  15. WPP receives SSC funding

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Woody Perennial Polyculture (WPP) Research Site

    This project seeks to strengthen student understanding of the farm-to-fork food system. This project's main goal is to upkeep, collection, and summarization data from the Woody Perennial Polyculture (WPP). The WPP was a student-initiated effort that was established on the Student Sustainable Farm in 2012 with support from the SSC and other campus entities. By completing this analysis, WPP will expand its educational outreach, increase student engagement, and better connect with campus Dining Services. This funding provides student and staff time so that WPP can expand its efforts after a detailed analysis.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was slow and I did not need the assistance of the student staff. Thankfully, a couple of them were flexible enough to agree to an on-call situation if I needed them. That was a great help to know they were available if needed.

    Volunteer presence last week was surprisingly high. On Thursday we had five people in, all to volunteer. Accordingly, a lot of much-needed organizing and deep cleaning happened. For example: all used tubes have been accounted for: good ones sorted and marked, bad ones in their own pile.

    On Tuesday of last week I closed the shop for CPR-certification class. This week I will set up my other certification class for BBP.

    Last Monday I called in a service order as two of the three heater fans wouldn’t turn on. Thankfully, it has been warm enough and the one still operational fan has been putting out enough heat to keep it comfortable in here.

    I’ll be working today and tomorrow and then back at it January 2nd, 2018. (Weird to type!) Hope everyone has a lovely holiday and a happy new year!

    Visitors: 28

    Sales: $141.80
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Misc. small parts: 26 for $26

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  18. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    I have no significant zero-waste activity to report from the past week, except for some email exchanges related to finding takers for Starbuck’s coffee grounds. Two farms expressed interest, and I need to follow up with Rebecca Seymour at the Union to see what resources there are for delivering grounds to the farms. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  20. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week I was sick and missed work on Wednesday. Other than that, it was uneventful. I’ve kept one student worker on per day to help, as it’s been busy enough to warrant it. That has been a pleasant turn of events—being this busy—but will likely end this week with finals happening and all.

    This week projects to be slow and I should be able to make some real headway with building up bikes for the Spring rush. I’ve got 14 for sale right now but will hopefully have about 20 by end of week.

    I have staff training from 11-4 tomorrow, so the shop will be closed as I cannot guarantee that I’ll be done in a timely manner. I’ll post on the website about it.

    The numbers:
    Sales: 281.25
    Memberships: 6 for $180

    Tubes: 3 for $14

    visitors: 41 for the week

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

     

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