Projects Updates for place: Ice Arena

Land and Water Team March Monthly Meeting Minutes and Notes

Posted by Natalie Reed on March 7, 2025
Associated Project(s):
Land and Water iCAP Team
Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas
Campus Rec Water Conservation Incentives
Benefits of a Large-Scale Prairie Experiment
The Land and Water team met on March 7th, 2025, at 9 am on Teams this month. In this week's meeting, the team discussed prairie strips, sustainable water usage on campus, milkweed plantings for pollinators, and activities to participate in this coming Arbor Day. The agenda and notes from the meeting are linked below.
Attached Files:
- Land and Water March Meeting Minutes and Notes.pdf

Battery Recycling for F&S

Associated Project(s):

processed_4482927.png?p=0207T143032

Battery Recycling at F&S
There are three programs for recycling batteries at F&S.

Rechargeable batteries for tools: The Tool Room provides new rechargeable batteries for F&S tools. When a tool’s rechargeable battery gets too old to hold a charge, return it to the Tool Room for a replacement. The Tool Room will recycle them.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) batteries: The electricians purchase UPS batteries from Interstate Batteries and return them to the same vendor for recycling.

Hazardous waste pickup, including batteries: The Division of Research Safety provides a free waste pick-up service that accepts batteries. To request a pick-up, use the Illinois

Rechargeable battery recycling receipt 12/23-11/24

Posted by Charley Marchis on December 18, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Attached Files:
- Receipt_2024-12-13_165043.pdf
Rechargeable battery recycling receipt

Posted by Charley Marchis on December 18, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Attached Files:
- Receipt_2023-08-18_081755 (2).pdf
First in house 3-Bins delivered

Posted by Charley Marchis on November 18, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
These 2 units were delivered to Noyes 1st floor north and south entry ways 11/12/2024.
Attached Files:
- thumbnail_image001.jpg
In house 3 bins

Posted by Daphne Hulse on November 8, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
Fabricated through our own mill shop. Cost to make two of these bins is attached.
Attached Files:
- Copy of In house 3-bins cost breakdown.xlsx
- inhouse 3 bins.jpg
Outfitting main quads with 3-bins

Posted by Charley Marchis on October 2, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
Members of the Zero Waste Team analyzed the main buildings in each of the three central quads. Locations of current 3-bins were noted as well as areas where more were needed. The plan is to transition away from single flow trash and recycling bins towards a system where only 3-bins are used in main hallways. This will ensure that there are well marked bins in highly visible areas and will condense the many bins that need to be serviced by university workers into fewer overall bins. Overall this initiative will lead to improved waste management efficiency and increased recycling rates across the campus.
Attached Files:
- proposed 3-bin locations.xlsx
ECIP 2024 Awards

Posted by Avni Sabharwal on May 28, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)
Attached Files:
- 2024-05-28-insider-magazine-ecip-awards.pdf
Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing

Posted by Charley Marchis on February 26, 2024
Associated Project(s):
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
From: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 3:59 PM
To: Kuehl, Mark A <mkuehl@illinois.edu>
Subject: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Mark,

Last semester when I came by LAR/Allen to do a tour of the recycling system there (during which we discussed the blue bag transition), one of the staff mentioned that there are a particular type of vacuums used that utilize lithium ion batteries, that then must be discarded.

Would it be possible to get a specific URL link or photo of what the vacuum / batteries look like? We may have found a vendor willing to responsibility dispose of these (recycle them).

Thank you,
Daphne

DAPHNE HULSE&...Expand »

From: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 3:59 PM
To: Kuehl, Mark A <mkuehl@illinois.edu>
Subject: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Mark,

Last semester when I came by LAR/Allen to do a tour of the recycling system there (during which we discussed the blue bag transition), one of the staff mentioned that there are a particular type of vacuums used that utilize lithium ion batteries, that then must be discarded.

Would it be possible to get a specific URL link or photo of what the vacuum / batteries look like? We may have found a vendor willing to responsibility dispose of these (recycle 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

https://fs.illinois.edu/zero-waste

“If it cannot be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” – Pete Seeger

On Jan 23, 2024 4:01 PM, "Kuehl, Mark A" <mkuehl@illinois.edu> wrote:

Oly,

I believe Daphne is talking about the zoom batteries. Can you provide a picture of the batteries for her?

Thanks,

MARK A KUEHL
Assistant Director for Housing Building Services

University Housing │ Student Affairs │ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
6A LAR │ 1005 S.Lincoln | M/C 030 │ Urbana, IL 61801
217.300.4590│ mkuehl@illinois.edu

www.housing.illinois.edu

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: Bytnar, Olymer <obytnar@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 4:43 PM
To: Kuehl, Mark A <mkuehl@illinois.edu>
Cc: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Subject: Re: FW: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Pictures attached.

Thank you,

Olymer Bytnar

From: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 2:56 PM
To: Sophie Boel <sophie@redwoodmaterials.com>
Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
Subject: FW: FW: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Sophie,

Happy new year! I wanted to reach out and ask if this type of lithium ion battery would be of use to Redwood? I recently learned that our Housing department uses these types of batteries fairly regularly for a piece of cleaning equipment, and once they are used they have to discard them and replace with new ones.

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

“If it cannot be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” – Pete Seeger

From: Sophie Boel <sophie@redwoodmaterials.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 12:10 PM
To: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: FW: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Daphne!

Happy New Year to you and the U of I team! It’s great to hear from you. We absolutely do take these types of batteries and would be happy to recycle these for you. Just a few quick questions that will help determine the shipment approach:

How many of these batteries do you currently have on hand that need to be recycled? (count / wattage – info needed because we have a 300Wh limit per box) I will have to reach out to other areas to see if they have batteries to dispose of. I am only of aware of one at the moment but I am sure there are more in other buildings.

What is the frequency per semester / year that you think you would need recycling? (so that we can sort out the sequence that we send boxes and expect shipment back) I would say once a year pickup would work.

Do you have a safe place on campus where you are aggregating these batteries right now as they reach end-of-life, or is that also a solution you are looking for? We keep them in the foremen office or equipment room on a shelf.

Thanks for reaching out!

Sophie Boel

Internal Communications & Public Affairs Manager

440.759.5401

sophie@redwoodmaterials.com

From: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 11:12 AM
To: Sophie Boel <sophie@redwoodmaterials.com>
Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Kuehl, Mark A <mkuehl@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: FW: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Sophie,

Please see our responses below! Apologies for the delay on my end in communicating with you. I’m looping in Mark here from Housing for any next steps so I am not a bottleneck.

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

“If it cannot be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” – Pete Seeger

From: Sophie Boel <sophie@redwoodmaterials.com>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 3:27 PM
To: Hulse, Daphne <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Kuehl, Mark A <mkuehl@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: FW: Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing?

Hi Daphne,

No worries at all. Happy to learn more, Mark!

Based on your current answers, we can ship you an Obexion box for you to place your single battery in and can accumulate a few more in (depending on physical size and storage capacity of that battery). When you are ready for it to be picked up, we’ll send you a shipping label and can have it collected.

Best,

Sophie
Collapse
1 Slim Bin placed at the Waste Transfer Station

Posted by Charley Marchis on January 5, 2024

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P10H08575 placed in Waste Transfer Station break room
1 Slim Bin placed at Materials Research Laboratory

Posted by Charley Marchis on January 5, 2024

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P10H08574 placed in the Materials Research Laboratory
3 Slim Bins placed at Siebel Center for Design

Posted by Charley Marchis on January 5, 2024

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P10H08580 placed on the first floor- East

P10H08581 placed on the first floor- West

P10H08585 placed on basement level
3 Slim Bins placed at Micro & Nanotechnology lab

Posted by Charley Marchis on January 5, 2024

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P1H08584 placed on first floor

P10H08583 placed on second floor

P10H08582 placed on third floor
4 bins placed at Music Building - last of the 28 bin order

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 31, 2023

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P10H08419 placed on Lower Level C0220 near stairs, P10H08418 placed on second floor C2220 against north brick wall, P10H08117 placed on third floor C3200 east wall/elevator landing, P10H08416 placed on fourth floor C4200 east wall/evelator landing.
3 slim bins placed at Levis Faculty Center

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 23, 2023

Associated Project(s):
Indoor Bin Update
P10H08422 placed on the second floor south side, P10H08421 placed on the third floor north side, and P10H08420 placed on the third floor south side.
Redwood Materials: Jen, Daphne, and Amy meet with Sophie Boel

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 23, 2023
Associated Project(s):
Single-Use Battery Recycling
Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Battery Recycling
Attendance: Jen Fraterrigo, Sophie Boel, Daphne Hulse, Amy Fruehling

Sophie Boel introduction: been with Redwood 2+ years, managing construction and engineering team, moved to external affairs (consumer recycling, outreach and education programs). Taking over the university partnerships piece from Seema. Two pieces to look at together:

Consumer education, branding materials, and how-to for safe collection and mailing.

Research - existing program to bolster with data, or bring about together.

Recalling our first conversation with Redwood Materials:

What is redwood looking for?

How can the university offer collaborative experiences with Redwood? Research, battery collection drives.

Jen forwarded Sophie the documents she had
...Expand »

Attendance: Jen Fraterrigo, Sophie Boel, Daphne Hulse, Amy Fruehling

Sophie Boel introduction: been with Redwood 2+ years, managing construction and engineering team, moved to external affairs (consumer recycling, outreach and education programs). Taking over the university partnerships piece from Seema. Two pieces to look at together:

Consumer education, branding materials, and how-to for safe collection and mailing.

Research - existing program to bolster with data, or bring about together.

Recalling our first conversation with Redwood Materials:

What is redwood looking for?

How can the university offer collaborative experiences with Redwood? Research, battery collection drives.

Jen forwarded Sophie the documents she had provided Seema as far as research opportunities go.

Redwood's experience with collection:

40-50 Audi and Volkswagen dealerships have collection bins - regularly collected and shipped back to Redwood.

International Rotary Clubs host collection events throughout the country.

Daphne's research on where batteries are sourced from and where they end up across campus. Daphne could only speak to batteries that are procured with university money. There is not a gauge on what the community does with batteries and what their needs are.

DRS collects Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NMH), Lithium (Li) Ion & Polymer (LiPo), and Silver Oxide (AgO) batteries for recycling. Daphne and Jen don't know the name of the recycling vendor, but they will find out. Sophie says there is a chance that the vendor already works with Redwood Materials, we just have to find out. Rechargeable batteries that are part of a device may get removed, and the device sent to someone like Redwood Materials to find recycling outlets for the device materials, too.

What could Redwood provide support on if the university would undertake something with them?

Bring Seema back into the conversation side (she is involved with business development support).

Has Redwood done many events with universities? No, they haven’t done many events with universities:

University Nevada - Reno, as this is located close to their HQ.

Have done events in collaboration with International Rotary Clubs:

Environmental & Sustainability Action Group (ES-RAG) - made collection events a part of their piece on sustainability

50-100 collection events - active consumer engagement pieces

Earth Day events

For events, Redwood can send a Redwood employee - if there is a lot overlapping in terms of time of year (especially Earth Day or Month), some of the rotary district governors act on behalf of Redwood go to an event to staff and educate.

Reach out to Urbana and Champaign counterparts - they hold an annual event for Illinois residents for electronics recycling. Maybe there is a need for more than just once a year? And if they combine forces with the university and Redwood, we would have more resources and support to go around.

It will be good to hear what the cities think, as their population will likely be the main source for the waste. Students don't often have these kinds of devices and batteries laying around.

Any money that can be reinvested to the program? The university tries to find ways to reinvest when possible.

Sophie to talk to Seema about this

Collapse
DRS tracks the batteries that they give to WTS, that they recycle, and that they trash

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 18, 2023
Associated Project(s):
Single-Use Battery Recycling
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Battery Recycling
From: Lee, Morris <morrisl@illinois.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2023 11:00 AM
To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Cc: Hill, Landon E <landon@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

Good Morning Daphne,

Attached is a report for the batteries handled by the DRS Waste Group.

If you have any data related questions, please let me know (I will be on vacation next week). Landon would be able to answer the operational questions.

Thanks, Morris

MORRIS LEE
RESEARCH SAFETY PROFESSIONAL

Division of Research Safety
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
102 Environmental Health and Safety Building
101 S. Gregory St. |...Expand »

From: Lee, Morris <morrisl@illinois.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2023 11:00 AM
To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Cc: Hill, Landon E <landon@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

Good Morning Daphne,

Attached is a report for the batteries handled by the DRS Waste Group.

If you have any data related questions, please let me know (I will be on vacation next week). Landon would be able to answer the operational questions.

Thanks, Morris

MORRIS LEE
RESEARCH SAFETY PROFESSIONAL

Division of Research Safety
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
102 Environmental Health and Safety Building
101 S. Gregory St. | M/C 225
Urbana, Illinois 61801
217.300.4563 | morrisl@illinois.edu
www.drs.illinois.edu

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.
Collapse
Attached Files:
- Batteries Managed by Division of Research Safety.docx
WTS hosts collection site for lead acid battery recycling

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 18, 2023
Associated Project(s):
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Battery Recycling
Neither the Waste Transfer Station nor Interstate Batteries (vendor) tracks or weighs the lead acid batteries that are picked up from the cage at the Waste Transfer Station. Rather, the battery unit sold is. The new battery is sold without a core charge, and then the old battery is picked up at a later time. The number of battery units sold is tracked (from 1501 S Oak Street), so this is our best metric for tracking lead acid battery recycling.

Attachment only covers 2022-2023 sales, a request has been sent for historical data.

FYI - lead acid batteries (often used in the automobile context) are some of the most easily recycled and rechargeable batteries out there!
Attached Files:
- Interstate Batteries Units Sold 2022-2023.pdf
Fall 2023 Sustainability Celebration FW: ECIP next steps

Posted by Quinn Connolly on August 16, 2023

Associated Project(s):
Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)
Hi Paul,

Should we set up a calendar time to talk via Teams about the ECIP plans? I’d think it would include Jen Fraterrigo, and maybe Rob?

Thanks,

Morgan

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

Hi Morgan,

During Monday’s meeting we chose to follow your advice and go with the fall schedule.

We are again having conference schedule during this week and wonder if the sustainability week can be chosen on a week other than the week of Oct 16th – the 20th?

Best

Paul

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

Hi Paul,

I think the date of the Campus Sustainability Celebration can move, as long as it is within October. I'll touch base with Jen about it and confirm.

Thanks,

Morgan

-----------------...Expand »

Hi Paul,

Should we set up a calendar time to talk via Teams about the ECIP plans? I’d think it would include Jen Fraterrigo, and maybe Rob?

Thanks,

Morgan

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

Hi Morgan,

During Monday’s meeting we chose to follow your advice and go with the fall schedule.

We are again having conference schedule during this week and wonder if the sustainability week can be chosen on a week other than the week of Oct 16th – the 20th?

Best

Paul

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

Hi Paul,

I think the date of the Campus Sustainability Celebration can move, as long as it is within October. I'll touch base with Jen about it and confirm.

Thanks,

Morgan

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

Hi Elizabeth,

I checked with Karl and the BTAF Mechanical conference for engineering is Oct 15-18th and the I2SL Sustainable Labs conference is Oct 22-25, if we can avoid these two weeks that would be terrific?

Thank you

Paul Foote

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

Hello Elizabeth,

Any updates on the timing for this event?

I am looking to coordinate the ECIP awards for 2022 and 2023 during this event.

Best

Paul Foote
Collapse
Lead acid battery recycling, Surplus electronic battery recycling

Posted by Daphne Hulse on August 14, 2023

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

Please consider the environment before printing an email. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written...Expand »

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

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
Collapse

Pages

Embed this feed on your website

If you would like to embed this feed of Project Updates from the iCAP Portal onto your website, simply copy and paste the following code into your site:

Embed Code
<div class="icap-feed-container" data-type="icap-feed" data-feed-query="type=project-updates-by-place&nid=419&limit=5"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/sites/all/themes/omega_icap/js/icap-loader.js"></script>

Embed Options

You can customize the display of this feed when embedded on your website. As you make changes, the embed code will automatically update.
Number of items to show in listing:

iCAP Portal

Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

iCAP Themes

You are here

Projects Updates for place: Ice Arena

Land and Water Team March Monthly Meeting Minutes and Notes

Battery Recycling for F&S

Rechargeable battery recycling receipt 12/23-11/24

Rechargeable battery recycling receipt

First in house 3-Bins delivered

In house 3 bins

Outfitting main quads with 3-bins

ECIP 2024 Awards

Lithium ion battery from vacuums at Housing

1 Slim Bin placed at the Waste Transfer Station

1 Slim Bin placed at Materials Research Laboratory

3 Slim Bins placed at Siebel Center for Design

3 Slim Bins placed at Micro & Nanotechnology lab

4 bins placed at Music Building - last of the 28 bin order

3 slim bins placed at Levis Faculty Center

Redwood Materials: Jen, Daphne, and Amy meet with Sophie Boel

DRS tracks the batteries that they give to WTS, that they recycle, and that they trash

WTS hosts collection site for lead acid battery recycling

Fall 2023 Sustainability Celebration FW: ECIP next steps

Lead acid battery recycling, Surplus electronic battery recycling

Pages

Embed this feed on your website

Embed Code

Embed Options