The 2015 iCAP chapter 8, objective 2 is, "By the end of FY17, develop an administrative mechanism to enable campus units to voluntarily purchase carbon offsets." During FY17, iSEE is executing a campuswide purchase of offsets. A starting inventory of carbon offsets will be put into a Virtual Storeroom, for internal purchases by campus units.  Through this website, units can directly engage in emission reductions, with the benefit of the initial bulk purchase.

The Carbon Credit sales funding has been approved by Director of iSEE Evan DeLucia and Interim Executive Director of F&S Helen Coleman for buying 10,000 additional carbon offsets, to provide the initial inventory for a new Virtual Storeroom for carbon offsets.

Background

If your department is interested in reducing your carbon footprint from air travel (or other things), you can go online to the Virtual Storeroom and purchase (using a CFOP) offsets from iSEE.  iSEE will collect the funds from these sales to replenish the Carbon Offset storeroom inventory when it gets low.

Some campus units (or individual faculty or staff) may wish to voluntarily offset their carbon emissions, for example, from air travel to scholarly meetings. iSEE could work with the Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS) to develop an administrative mechanism that would allow such units to “buy in” to periodic campuswide purchases of verified offsets.

By the end of FY 17, iSEE helps develop the virtual storeroom which stocks the carbon offsets instead of tangible goods. The carbon offsets will be stored in a virtual storeroom, where units can buy offsets to reduce their carbon emissions for any reason. For example, you can buy them to reduce the carbon emissions of steam, electricity, even university cars, and air travel, which is the main carbon emission source that needs offsets rather than reduction, according to the iCAP. The money what we spend in the virtual storeroom will be collected in a fund that will be used for the purchase of more carbon offsets, when the inventory is low.

The PWR SWATeam discussed the history and future opportunities and mechanisms for battery recycling on campus. They also talked about updates in the rearrangement of outdoor and indoor bins.

Hi Pete and Shawn—

Here are the zero-waste highlights of the past week: 

• I submitted the UIUC response to the CURC survey
• I exchanged emails with Rebecca Seymour at the campus Starbuck’s and with Morgan regarding a local farmer’s request for us to pay him to transport coffee grounds. We’ll have to tell him we don’t have funding for it.

Best regards,
Marya Ryan
Zero Waste Coordinator

Bevier Hall currently has a number of spaces served by obsolete thermostat controls. While efforts to improve scheduling for heating and cooling have made improvements to energy consumption, the installation of occupancy sensors would improve the efficiency of the HVAC system, reducing energy use without sacrificing user comfort. This funding provides resources to install new occupancy sensors in 25 lab, classroom, and office spaces in Bevier Hall. When completed, the heating and cooling system will be able to work more efficiently, eliminating the need to constantly provide conditioning for unoccupied spaces. Individual spaces will have better temperature control, therefore improving occupant comfort and increasing productivity. This is a Student Sustainability Committee supported project.

Fall 2017 Semesterly Report Submitted to the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

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