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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  1. Digital signage added

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Registration
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    Two new digital signs were added to campus buildings

    1. Bike Registration: from 8/21/2023 until 11/20/2023 (https://bike.illinois.edu/register-your-bike/)
    2. Abandoned bicycles retrieval: from 8/21/2023 to 9/22/2023 (https://bike.illinois.edu/resources/bicycle-roundup/
    Attached Files: 

  2. Sustainability LLC iCAP presentation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Living Learning Community (SLLC)

    On 08/16/2023, Morgan, Daphne, Sarthak, Quinn and Hrushikesh attended/ hosted Sustainability LLC iCAP presentation for the upcoming and aspiring undergraduate students to provide them information about all the aspects of iCAP and other entities. Additionally it was also a great mode of communication to connect with the young minds and get to know their vision regards the same cause.

  3. 2023 Freezer Challenge RESULTS!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Dear Paul, 

      

    We here at My Green Lab thank you very much for your patience while the submissions for the 2023 Freezer Challenge were reviewed over the past number of weeks. You’re receiving this email because you were a site coordinator for the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign  this year. Thank you for encouraging labs to participate in the Freezer Challenge this year! You and your lab(s) are a part of over 1,900 labs from 170 different institutions, across 27 countries which participated this year, a new record! The combined efforts of the scientists and labs participating in the 2023 Freezer Challenge saved an estimated 20.6 million kWh over the past year, which is the equivalent of avoiding an estimated 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

     

    66 scoresheets were submitted from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, representing a total of 94 labs, the combined actions of which saved an estimated 1293.5 kWh/day! Great job, and well done! Please see the attached Excel document for details of all the actions taken by labs at your organization this year, with each row being a different scoresheet submitted back to us. Total raw points for actions and kwh/day saved are on the far right. *Please note that all lab points of contact received a separate email from programs@mygreenlab.org in the past 24 hours informing them of their lab’s estimated energy savings too. 

     

    The winners of the 2023 Freezer Challenge will be announced by mid-August via My Green Lab and I2SL newsletters and our social media channels, so stay tuned for that announcement! 

     

    Thank you for engaging labs at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign to implement cold storage best practices through the Freezer Challenge! We hope you’ll encourage your organization to participate in the 2024 Freezer Challenge next year. 

     

    Sincerely,  

    My Green Lab & the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL)

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

     

    We have officially surpassed the highest number of labs participating and reached our highest avoided energy reduction at over $54k avoided annually at the current kWh rate.

    We also have a lab receiving an award for the best lab in their category. See next email forward.

     

    Best

    Paul

  4. Background research on anaerobic digesters

    Associated Project(s): 
    Plan for Organic Waste
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste

    Sarthak Prasad shared 2018 notes from conversations held with stakeholders at The Ohio State University, West Lafayette (Purdue University), Bevier Cafe (University of Illinois), US Army Corps -- Champaign, and Michigan State University -- East Lansing on the topic of anerobic digesters. Attached are the notes. The document will continue to grow as more conversations occur.

    Attached Files: 

  5. F&S, iSEE to investigate anaerobic digestion at other campuses

    Associated Project(s): 
    Plan for Organic Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability

    Sarthak Prasad, Jen Fraterrigo, and Daphne Hulse intend to pursue conversations with campuses that have successfully installed anaerobic digesters. Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University have been identified as the first campuses to initiate a conversation with. The goal of these conversations will be to understand how campuses achieved momentum and will for the digesters to be financed and built (stakeholders include but are not limited to farmers, relevant academic departments, crop sciences, digester operators, waste management and sustainability, organic waste haulers, researchers).

  6. North American introduces F&S to aerobic composting technology

    Associated Project(s): 
    Plan for Organic Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste
    Achieve Zero Waste

    From: Zach Hansen <zhansen@na.com>
    Sent: Monday, August 14, 2023 10:16 AM
    To: Varney, Pete <pvarney@illinois.edu>; Sinn, Macie <sinn1@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Food Composting

    Sounds great!

    Daphne, if you are interested in getting more information on this solution, my counterparts in California has worked closely together on a number of projects with them so I could set up a call.

    Thanks and I hope you all had a great weekend!

     

    Zach​​​​ Hansen

    Account Executive

    O: (630) 864-8755

    na.com

    8AtXGxmW7lstMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=

    oPEKqip9B1X8FGABYlWFzFb2pawAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

    Learn about our family of brands

     

    From: Varney, Pete <pvarney@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, August 14, 2023 9:01 AM
    To: Zach Hansen <zhansen@na.com>; Sinn, Macie <sinn1@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Food Composting

    Coincidence?

    Daphne just discussed composting with me last week and it is of importance to her. I’ll let her take the lead on this if she wishes to follow-up.

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

    (217) 333-7583

     

    From: Zach Hansen <ZHansen@na.com>
    Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 4:37 PM
    To: Varney, Pete <pvarney@illinois.edu>; Sinn, Macie <sinn1@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Food Composting

    Hi Pete, Macie, and Daphne,

    Completely unrelated to the F&S meetings that we have been having, but I wanted to bring this to your attention.

    If there are increases in demand for composting around the facilities like cafeterias, housing, even athletics, this was a pretty cool machine that seems incredibly easy to use and composts food scraps in 5 days!

    https://info.waxie.com/for-solutions

    Have a great weekend!

    Zach

     

    Zach​​​​ Hansen

    Account Executive

    O: (630) 864-8755

    na.com

    8AtXGxmW7lstMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=

    oPEKqip9B1X8FGABYlWFzFb2pawAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

    Learn about our family of brands

     

  8. Weekly Udpate: Interviews for CBC

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Short week for me as I was out Wed – Fri last week. My staff covered in my absence.

    In the couple days I did work, we got the rest of the bikes out of the barn and began some Tetris-like work in reorganizing our space and bikes. Got a deluge of applications since I was out, which is great. I’ll schedule interviews for this week.

    Likely will get very busy this week as students return. I’ll build bikes as I can.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 20
    Sales: $1,021
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $480
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 4 for $52

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  10. Lead acid battery recycling, Surplus electronic battery recycling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Single-Use Battery Recycling
    Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling
    Battery Recycling

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren
    Sent: Monday, August 14, 2023 9:37 AM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    Hi Jen,

     

    Follow up - the Waste Transfer Station does not track how many lead acid batteries are collected across campus and picked up by Interstate, so I have reached out to Interstate to see if pickups are something they track.

     

    Thank you!

    Daphne

     

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

    https://fs.illinois.edu/zero-waste
     
    Bu0VAhW8+s0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=

    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: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 10:24 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    In other words, we generate revenue from recycling the lead acid batteries and then use that revenue to purchase new lead acid batteries. Is that correct? That’s great!

     

    Thanks for following up with Surplus. Once I hear back from you I will reach out to Seema.

     

    Jen

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 10:03 AM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    More info on the batteries: the lead acid batteries that are taken to the cage on the west side of WTS are then given back to Interstate Batteries as a refundable core deposit. This is often mandated by state legislature. Lead acid batteries are used in vehicles (so our Garage is a big producer of these), and the cost of purchasing new lead acid batteries covers the cost of returning them for recycling. So these are one type of battery currently successfully being recycled. I’ll see if WTS keeps a record of weight on this, to know how much we are recycling.


    I will follow up with Surplus to see if they have any idea how many electronics batteries they are sending to Secure Processors, the vendor that accepts these kinds of batteries for recycling.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

  12. Foam Compacting Machine Location and Status

    Associated Project(s): 
    Styrecycle: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling program [ARCHIVED]

    On August 7, 2023 Amy Rosenbery sent the following email:

    Hi Morgan!

    I’m working on our inventory and the Foam Compacting machine that Ben purchased in 2015 is on our list.

    Do you know if this equipment went to ISTC? I don’t know who has this or where it’s located. It used to be on the 2nd floor here at NSRC but it’s not there anymore.

    Best,
    Amy

     

    On August 9, 2023 Morgan White replied:

     

    Hi Amy,

     

    That Styrofoam machine was transferred to a different non-profit in Illinois, by ISTC.  Joe Pickowitz and Shantanu Pai were involved in getting it moved form ISTC to the other non-UIUC facility.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     

    Amy replied:

    Hi Morgan!

    That’s what I thought. I found an email about it going to Community Resource, Inc. in Urbana so I looked them up and the place is permanently closed now.

    The equipment is still showing up on iSEE’s inventory.

    Thanks for your help!

    Best,
    Amy

     

  13. DRS process for battery disposal: trash, recycling, waste transfer lead acid batteries

    Associated Project(s): 
    Single-Use Battery Recycling
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling
    Battery Recycling

    From: Hill, Landon E <landon@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 4:20 PM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Varney, Pete <pvarney@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    Hi.

     

    Is there something specific that you are looking for?

     

    DRS picks up most anything chemical that is requested for disposal through the campus waste management app: https://www.drs.illinois.edu/Page/RequestAWastePickup

     

    All alkaline batteries are trashed.

     

    Rechargeable batteries are recycled.

     

    Lead acid batteries are taken to the cage on the west side of the Waste Transfer Station.

     

    Landon

  14. Monthly Meeting with Jake

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    On 08/07/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh had a monthly meeting with Jake.

    Meeting Notes:

    - Actively promoting Bike Registration to students or commuters visiting and using the Campus Bike Center.

    - Campus Bike Center should have printer QR code sticker/ flyer for Bike Registration.

    - Bike Friendly Application will be submitted on 08/08/2023.

    - Light the Night Event near Ikenberry Hopkins Hall and ARC.

    - Bike Lights including the screw fitting types will be used for the events.

    -  Bike Safety Quiz is recommended to be promoted by the Campus Bike Center.

    - Merchandise purchase order is placed.

    - How to use Outdoor Pumps video can be made by the Campus Recreation marketing team.

    To do for Sarthak:

    - Find out Campus Bike Center Built-up area for UIC recommendation.

    - Try to get the merchandise before August 20th for the Campus Bike Center events.    

  15. Weekly Update: Calm before the storm, getting ready

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, These days feel like the calm before the storm. Starting to get phone calls and emails from families and folks looking for bikes as they plan to come to town. We’ll sell out of our supply of bikes before the semester begins, if past demand is any indication.  We’ll work on getting a few more B-a-Bs prepped and ready to go, as demand looks to increase in the absence of refurbished bikes.

    I’ll be out of the office Wednesday – Friday this week. My staff will cover open hours on those days.

    The numbers:

    Sales: $572
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $345
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 6 for $43

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  16. 8/3 Meeting to discuss location at Hope Village

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Solar Decathlon

    Illinois Solar Decathlon President Rachel Chen met with Marty Smith to discuss the possibility of having the current next solar decathlon home built at the hope village project. Marty discussed possibilities for a separated subdivision of homes. But the more likely option would be to construct a library or community building than a single family home. Either of these options would be more likely during the next building cycle for solar decathlon.

  17. 1 outdoor dual bin installed at Siebel Center for Computer Science

    Associated Project(s): 
    Outdoor Recycling Bin Update

    79 outdoor dual bins remain in storage.

     

    From: Hawkins, Todd B <hawkns@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:03 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Mininger, Timothy R <mininger@illinois.edu>
    Subject: FW: Siebel recycle bins

     

    Good morning. The recycle bins for site A8 SW. corner of Siebel were installed yesterday afternoon.

    Thank you.

     

     

     

     

    Todd Hawkins

    Foreperson

    University of Illinois

    F&S Ironworkers

    Office   217-244-5451

    Mobile 217-493-9814

    1501 S. Oak St

    Champaign Il, 61820

     

     

    Attached Files: 

  18. Weekly Update: Less abandoned bikes, Kids' Bikes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    All, Slow visitor-wise, but busy otherwise. Moved almost all the bikes out of the round barn, and the very last of them I’ll get this week. Sounds like we’ll have less bikes from the round up than in years’ past, something I am happy for. Hopefully, it means more people are caring about and actually riding their bikes—a guy can dream!  Irrespective of the reason, less bikes means less grunt work, and that’s a huge plus in my book.

    We are still up to our ears in kids’ bikes, as the ones we have are not coming together as I’d like. Lots of short-supply parts are needed. I’ll need to dedicate some off-hours time to this as these kinds of projects are not well-suited to student staff/volunteers, apparently.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 25
    Sales: $890.34
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $535
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 5 for $50

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  19. Surplus electronic battery recycling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)
    Single-Use Battery Recycling
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling
    Battery Recycling

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 3:19 PM
    To: Weaver, Jeff <jweaver2@uillinois.edu>
    Subject: Surplus and waste memo / batteries

     

    Hi Jeff,

     

    On a different note, battery recycling is a topic that has come up several times recently. F&S does not have any comprehensive program at this point. DRS collects batteries from departments for disposal through their hazardous waste vendor, but they do not recycle the batteries. Regarding batteries from devices such as computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and other small devices, (devices that will not be redistributed out to departments for reuse) do you know how these are handled through the state? If they are recycled?

     

    [Surplus response] For the small batteries in those devices, we ship them to Secure Processors, the downstate State contracted electronics recycling vendor.  We don’t know how the vendor handles the batteries on their end after we ship them.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     

    Daphne Hulse (she/her)
    Zero Waste Coordinator
    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    +1 (217) 333-7550 | dlhulse2@illinois.edu
     
    Bu0VAhW8+s0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=

    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.

  20. Potential student project for Energy Efficiency HVAC Infection Control

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    Hi Leon,

     

    Hope you are doing well.

     

    I am Sarthak Prasad, and I work as the Sustainable Transportation Assistant at Facilities & Services. Morgan and I are working with Sterling Laylock, from Integrating Green Technologies, on Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control. Last year, two of the Masters in Energy Systems, Ali Khan and Dhruvraaj Gambhire, collaborated with us on this project. I wanted to reach out to you and ask if you would be available to meet with us in the next couple of weeks? We wanted to ask if one or two of the Energy Systems graduate students would be interested in helping us out this year as well. Please send me your availability for the next couple of weeks.

     

    Thank you,

    Sarthak

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

     

    Good afternoon Sarthak

     

    Thank you for your note.
    It would be a privilege if our M.Eng. students could again work with you, thank you!

    Please can you send me a topic (or topics) and a brief description (or descriptions) of the work that you would like our students to do?

    1. Will you expect our students to perform measurements or will you provide them with acquired data? (Some of our students are online-only, i.e. not on campus …)
    2. Will the students be working with SafeTraces equipment / data? What other equipment might they be working with? Where will students be working?
    3. Will students analyze existing HVAC systems in our buildings or will they need to design systems for yet-to-be-integrated HVAC systems?
    4. Will the students be expected to write proposals for possible SSC funding? If so, please provide details about your financial needs, including the estimated required funds.
    5. Etc.

     

    Many thanks! I look forward to your further communication.

    Kind regards

    Leon

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