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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  1. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    Zero waste activities this past week were to 

    • Read the SSC grant application related to getting a new baler to support expanded plastic recycling
    • Update the glove recycling page of the iCAP portal
    • Contact several local farms to see if they would like to receive used coffee grounds from the campus Starbuck’s 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  3. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Green Lab Program
    AFMFA- Deferred Maintenance Funds

    On November 1, the ECBS SWATeam had their fourth meeting of FY17. Representatives Doris Reeser and Brad Klein from the Deferred Maintenance Program came to talk about AFMFA and maintenance. The team also considered potential funding for energy conservation and started a discussion on a possible recommendation. The Green Labs Coordinator position is also moving along, and the team plans to establish safety guidelines and procedures for the program in the near future. Marian Huhman has also contacted the student group American Advertising Federation for a sustainability imagery project. 

    Attached Files: 

  4. EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 recommendation - Transmittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    eGen Recommendations Summary
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Sustainability Council

    The SWATeam recommendation, eGen007 Solar Farm 2.0, was transmitted to the Sustainability Council and was presented during their meeting on December 7, 2017.

    For future updates, please refer to Solar Farm 2.0.

    See iWG assessment of EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 here.

  6. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    My intentions to make progress on zero waste this weekend were scuttled by illness. In the coming week, my focus will be to find community gardens that would like used coffee grounds from Starbucks, update the glove recycling page on the iCAP portal, and work on the SSC report. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  7. iWG meeting agenda November 30, 2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Topical iCAP Teams
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    PPA for National Petascale Computing Facility
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Incorporate Sustainability Principles into Campus Master Plan
    Water and Stormwater SWATeam
    Food Waste Reduction
    Green Lab Program

    see file

    Attached Files: 

  8. Filify 3D Receives SSC Funding

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enactus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Filify 3D is a new project this semester, working to make 3D printing more sustainable and eco-friendly. This semester, the project is looking to sell fused filament ends (which are otherwise thrown away) back to campus 3D Printing labs. They will also be constructing and refining the design to a shredder and extruder to recycle failed prints. Ultimately, they hope to expand their capacity to be able to recycle plastic water bottles for use in 3D prints. This project is a cross functional one.

    The Student Sustainability Committee is providing funding for some materials and supplies.

    Attached Files: 

  9. Stay Glassy Receives SSC Funding

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enactus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Stay Glassy looks to target glass bottles, an abundant and unused resource in the Champaign-Urbana community, to create a product that will benefit the community. By working with underserved members of our community to create a viable marketplace product, Stay Glassy achieves two goals: reduce glass waste and create meaningful employment in Champaign-Urbana. This semester, the project is changing scope from educating the community through "at home'' glass up-cycling workshops to focusing on a glass repurposing business. Project associates should expect to work on aspects of business development and product innovation.

    The Student Sustainability Committee funded project supplies and workspace.

    Attached Files: 

  10. SSC Grants Funding to Supermileage

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco Illini Supermileage
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This funding supports the purchase of an engine and other car parts to construct a highly fuel-efficient car. As a resource conservation and transportation project, Eco Illini Supermileage is training its team members and spreading sustainability awareness to students from all majors. Through social media and showcase events, Eco Illini Supermileage engages the CU community. The Eco Illini Supermileage experience springboards students’ career development and automotive innovation after graduation.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    With the short week this past week and being on the road, I don’t have anything significant to report on zero waste activities for the past week. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  13. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was predictably slow. I cut back almost entirely on student staff since long stretches of open hours were completely vacant of visitors. Thankfully a few student staffers wanted to work on their own bicycle projects and were able to jump in and help out when it got too busy for me to handle everyone on my own. Those instances were rare and brief, presenting a problem from a staffing prospective: not busy enough to keep someone there the whole day but busy enough that a second person is needed. Something to consider for the future is having something like an on-call staffer for the winter months to pitch in the very few times it gets busy.

    Last week we had a TBP/UIUC/CBC meeting that went well. We discussed the forthcoming Bike@illinois website and brainstormed other participants for their research/interviews. Barry and I talked afterwards about potentially implementing some better inventory-tracking ideas to get a better handle on sales/stock.

    This week I only work today (Monday) and then the shop will be closed until Tuesday, Nov. 28th.  I’ll post on the door and on the Bike Project website (and social media pages).

    Numbers:

    Visitors: 55
    Sales: $396.49
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $70
    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $105
    Memberships: 1 for $30

    Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  14. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    This past week, activities were as follows: 

    • At Morgan’s request, I contacted Interstate All Battery Center today and learned that they charge $2/pound for alkaline, cordless tool, cell phone, and laptop batteries (nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion). They take any lead acid batteries at no charge (most are purchased by the U of I from them). They accept drop offs, but there is no difference in price between drop off and pick up. Some of the battery types they accept are rechargeable. There is no price difference between single-use and rechargeables. I provided an update to Morgan on this and offered to share it with the PWR SWATeam and other interested parties, as appropriate. 
    • Also at Morgan’s request, I contacted Division of Research Safety to find out what they offer by way of battery recycling. They told me that will pick up batteries from those who submit a request for disposal. They will take any battery type, and it must be University property. Rechargeables are recycled through Call2Recycle; alkaline batteries are not recycled. There is no charge to the unit requesting disposal. DRS gets reimbursed by the Office of the Provost through a chemical waste disposal account. Again, I updated Morgan and offered to share the information as appropriate. 
    • I contacted Call2Recycle to see whether we might be eligible for their free battery recycling program, but they told me it is available only to municipalities, not to universities. I followed up with a resident of Ashton Woods on her efforts with Housing to have the City of Champaign provide recycling at Ashton Woods so that they can include glass, tin, and more plastics in the collection there. She had already been in touch with Nichole Millage at the city and received confirmation that the City is willing to provide service. I let her know that if it’s just Ashton Woods that switches away from F&S service, there wouldn’t be any substantive issues on our part but that if the whole Housing operation switched over, we would need to talk with them about a transition plan because of the revenue that supports a couple of staff positions.

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  15. ECS Bike Share Completed

    Associated Project(s): 
    Departmental Bike Sharing
    Campus Bike Center
    Provide Working Bikes for University Employees

    Facilities and Services division Engineering and Construction Services (ECS) has three bikes for employees to share for campus business. Check out is easy and the same as checking out a department car or truck. Two helmets are available for borrowing and lock keys are color coded to the bike they go to.

    Two of the three bikes were purchased through the Campus Bike Center, with locks and front baskets. The helmets came from Neutral Cycle. The whole project cost less than $750 and will have minimum maintenance each year.

    For questions about use please contact Lily Wilcock, lwilco2@illinois.edu.

     

  16. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was surprisingly busy. On Friday we had all the stands full and it was something like 35° outside. That’s encouraging! We even had one person in here in shorts! Our number of for-sale bikes is slowly creeping upward as demand wanes and we have time to build during open hours. From Wednesday to Friday Michael Merriman from Campus Rec borrowed the Bluebird cargo bike for trips between ARC and CRCE (due to construction, there is a lack of car/truck parking) and reported back that he loves it.

    This week I’ll continue to reduce hours for the student workers as well as cull a number of decrepit bikes and pull out the abandoned B-a-Bs. I’ll also begin looking at which student workers are graduating and how many positions I’ll have to fill come spring/summer when it gets busy again. Additionally, I’ll begin designing some new storage and stock solutions to help facilitate ease-of-use for newcomers. More and more I am tucking things away and stacking things upon other things and soon enough I am the only person who knows where anything is. That is bad and quite problematic to the mission and usability of the Campus Bike Center. If people can’t find anything they can’t use the space effectively. I’ll work on labeling/organizing and making things visible this week.

    On to the numbers!

    Visitors: 74
    Overall sales: $493.80
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Refurb/B-a-B’s: 0 for $0
    Tubes/Wheels/Small Parts: 30 for $179.40

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  17. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Tracy—

    I am behind on a few follow-ups Morgan asked of me regarding the battery recycling program. I will make inquiries at Call2Recycle and Interstate this coming week. 

    I responded to a request from Krannert Center for information on how to participate in the glove recycling program and sent them instructions on it. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  18. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Green Lab Program
    Illini Lights Out
    Funding for Sustainability

    At the ECBS SWATeam's third meeting of FY17, the members discussed methods for how the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) can become more sustainable. For example, there are lighting opportunities at Irwin Practice Facility and at Atkins tennis center. In addiiton, Mike Marquissee, director of Budget, Research and Planning for energy services, presented a mini-lecture (also attached) to the team on their funding options and predicted budget for FY18. The SWATeam then discussed how the grant cuts will impact their iCap progress, as well as what needs to be prioritized in terms of funding. Finally, updates on programs such as the Green Labs Coordinator and Illini Lights out were presented. 

    Attached Files: 

  19. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was pretty uneventful. Visitor numbers are declining with the weather getting cooler. I’ve begun cutting back on the student staff as we get fewer and fewer visitors. We’ve got 9 refurbished bikes for sale. With fall coming on strong, I suspect we’ll see a lot of the in-progress build-a-bikes abandoned which can then be flipped for sale quicker than usual.

    This week I will coordinate with Parking to pick up the salvageable bikes from the warehouse as well as build bikes and take stock of inventory.

    The numbers:

    Visitors for the week: 62

    Sales: $187.35
    Refurbished bikes: 0 for $0
    Build-a-bikes: 0 for $0
    Memberships: 0 for $0 (Reinstated our First Visit Free policy, which has hurt these numbers.)
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $42

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  20. SWATeam Meeting - 10/18/17

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recycled-Content Paper Policy in CAM
    EPA SmartWay Affiliate
    Install Appropriate Waste Collection Infrastructure
    Adopt Environmental Indicators to Guide Purchasing Standards
    Green Cleaning Products and Practices
    Zero Waste iCAP Team

    The PWR SWATeam met to discuss objectives and goals for the year, as well as provide feedback on the proposed Campus Administrative Manual policy on purchasing paper of recycled content. The team discussed a broad range of projects and delegated next steps for moving forward on each.

    Attached Files: 

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