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Projects Updates for place: Illinois Street Residence Halls

  1. ZW004 Recommendation Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Beckman Cafe Reusable Containers
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reusable Containers

    Beckman currently uses reusable trays, plates, and glasses in their cafe. They currently have a dishwasher onsite and will have a larger one in the new project (U22005 Beckman Café Renovation). They also have a stack of plastic and Styrofoam containers on the line as people move through the food ordering line, so improvements could be made here to nudge people towards the reusable options.

    Attached Files: 

  2. Student Athlete Advisory Committee / Varsity House reusable containers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers
    Zero Waste iCAP Team

    From: Holding, Justin Kenneth <jholdi2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, April 10, 2023 2:50 PM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Palella, Nikki <palella3@illinois.edu>; Keating, Claire Elizabeth <cek6@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: Hendricks House and SAAC

     

    Hey all,

     

    The meeting with Jonathan went great and he is super open to new ideas.

     

    Based on my previous meeting and Student-Athlete's feedback, Jonathan decided to buy these reusable containers: https://gfsstore.com/products/310397/ & https://gfsstore.com/products/310378/ (not sure if the oz sizes are exactly the same).

     

    He said he had enough budget to buy 500 of each to give to every student-athlete. He has already seen a decline in the styrofoam containers. But deli containers (for things like cereal, yogurt, soup, and small snacks), plastic bags (sometimes), and plastic silverware are still being used. The reusable containers did feel flimsy - especially compared to the Good2Go ones - but they are much cheaper. So I would be worried about durability and scratching/damage if real silverware is used.

     

    Daphne was able to join and got some good insight into the entire process. Hendrick House acts as the caterer and does not maintain the space so they don’t have a lot of control over the trash. But for the kitchen, they still put everything in the dumpster (including cardboard). So we have some room for improvement there.

     

    Overall - I think we should help set up communication between Varsity and SAAC (or just students in general) to make sure this program can continue for years to come. I think a follow up with Colin and pushing for a sustainability position in SAAC is the best next step. I’ll give Colin a few days to respond to Daphne’s email but I’ll try to set something up again.

     

    If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

     

    Best,

    Justin


     

    On Apr 7, 2023, at 5:23 PM, Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu> wrote:

     

    Wow, this is amazing!! Please count me in for the 4/10 meeting at Varsity Room - happy to join you and continue this great momentum.

     

    Thank you,

    Daphne

     

    From: Holding, Justin Kenneth <jholdi2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, April 7, 2023 4:47 PM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Palella, Nikki <palella3@illinois.edu>; Keating, Claire Elizabeth <cek6@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: Hendricks House and SAAC

     

    Hi everyone,

     

    I received this message from Jonathon last week: 

     

    "Justin, thank you for your patience regarding this project. I am happy to announce that beginning on Monday, April 3rd Varsity Room Dining will be offering free, reusable, eco-friendly containers to any student-athlete that requests a set. A set of containers will consist of (1) 38-ounce rectangular container and (1) 48-ounce circular container.

    Additional individual containers and/or sets may be purchased by student-athletes if they would like.
    Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to meet again to continue our previous discussions.”


    This email came as a surprise as I had not received a response to my emails sent earlier this semester. I am planning to visit the Varsity Room this Monday, 4/10, at 12:45 PM to chat with Jonathon about the program. A friend sent me the information they have received (attached) and told me they weren't exactly sure how the program worked. I’m hoping we can bring together our knowledge and resources to create a stable, successful program. 

     

    You all are more than welcome to join, otherwise I’ll send my notes and recommendations after. Additionally, I think another meeting with Colin, Jonathon, and everyone else will be important before the semester is over.

     

    Best,

    Justin

    <IMG_0476.jpeg><Screenshot 2023-04-03 at 5.48.56 PM.jpg>


     

    On Feb 15, 2023, at 8:48 AM, Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu> wrote:

     

    Thanks, Justin. If you are talking with Jonathon, could you also mention food waste and Grind2Energy? It would be great to recruit the Varsity Room/Hendrick House into the program.

     

    Jen

     

    From: Holding, Justin Kenneth <jholdi2@illinois.edu> 
    Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 6:58 PM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Palella, Nikki <palella3@illinois.edu>; Keating, Claire Elizabeth <cek6@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: Hendricks House and SAAC

     

    Hi Jen,

     

    Thanks for the information!

     

    I haven’t heard from Colin since our last meeting - I’ll reach out to him. I’ll also contact Jonathon Curtis, the chef at the Varsity Room, to talk about the prospect of reusbales.

     

    I’ve actually spoke to multiple people at Hendrick House regarding sustainability. So, if we need a little push there, I know who to reach out to. Also, I know they have a good stock of reusable containers as well - I’ve borrowed them!

     

    Best,

    Justin

     

    On Feb 14, 2023, at 5:21 PM, Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu> wrote:

     

    Hi all,

     

    Hope you are doing well.

     

    I am writing to follow up about the prospect of establishing reusable container and Grind2Energy programs at Hendrick House. I met separately with Tim Knox and University Housing and Dining leadership over the past month. What I learned from Tim is that SAAC and student athletes have tremendous influence with Hendrick House and should request that Hendrick House implement these programs. University Housing and Dining does not have enough staff to wash additional containers or sort food waste for G2E, even if Hendrick House were to pay for these services. However, Housing seemed to think Hendrick House has the capacity (just not at the Varsity Room). Housing is willing to be a resource for Hendrick House by sharing information, answering questions, etc.

     

    The next step is to convey this info to Colin and SAAC. Has anyone heard from Colin lately? If I recall correctly, he was going to ask SAAC members about whether they support these initiatives. Justin, if you want to ping him, that would be great. Any other ideas about how to keep this moving forward? 

     

    Thanks,

    Jen

     

    Jennifer Fraterrigo (she/her)

    iSEE Associate Director for Campus Sustainability and
    Professor of Landscape and Ecosystem Ecology
    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

    University of Illinois

    W-423 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.

    Urbana, IL 61801

    jmf@illinois.edu
    ph 217-333-9428

    https://fraterrigolab.nres.illinois.edu/

    Attached Files: 

  3. ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Beckman Cafe Reusable Containers
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Reusable Containers

    Dr. Jeff Moore, Director of the Beckman Institute, responded to Morgan White, Associate Director for F&S for Sustainability, with the following email on 1/18/22:

    "Thank you, Morgan and Jennifer.  We'll discuss this at our next meeting.  On first glance, it looks like a prudent practice to follow."

    See iWG assessment and transmittal of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here.
    See recommendation and submittal of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here.

    For future updates, please refer to the Reusable Containers project

  4. Good2Go Student Report

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers

    Arden Youn, Wei-Ting Yang, Alaa Eldemerdash, Jasmine Jacome, and Gil Perez, Gies College of Business graduate students, spent the semester reviewing the Good2Go Reusable Dining Container program. The PowerPoint is attached and the link to the recording of the final presentation is found below. 

    View the recording here.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Reusable container update - through 9/30

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers

    Below are the counts of meals logged in our POS systems as served in To Go boxes from the beginning of the semester thru Thursday, Sept. 30. 

    Breakfast To Go, Meals 349           
    Lunch-To Go, Meals 402              
    Dinner- To Go, Meals 143    
    Late Night To Go, Meals 2 
    Box - To Go, Meals 147

    Total meals: 896

  7. archived info - previous project info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers

    Previous Title: Reusable Dining Options

    Previous Project Description: The Zero Waste SWATeam is interested in pursuing reusable service options for campus facilities which serve food at any capacity. This particularly applies to to-go options.

    A to-go option using reusable containers will be implemented this fall in University Housing Dining at three locations: Lincoln Avenue Dining, Illinois Street Dining and Ikenberry Dining.  

    Previous Project Background: 

    As stated in the iCAP 2020, 

    "Objective #5.3 ensures that items used on campus-particularly at large events- are durable, repairable, and reusable, and that they contribute to our university-wide culture of reuse."

    This project is aligned with the goals of cultivating a zero waste culture on campus. Food is an enormous portion of the human experience, and rather than eliminate it, the Zero Waste SWATeam hopes to shift the paradigm towards the sustainable future the University of Illinois is planning. By providing opportunities for students to utilize reusable containers and participate in a reusable dining program, it will not only yield measurable reductions of single-use items in the waste stream, but will also bring sustainability to the forefront of each participant.

  8. Reusable Container Project on Portal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers
    Decrease Wasteful Practices through Behavior Change

    From: Moore, Meredith Kaye

    To: White, Morgan

    Recipients: mbwhite at illinois.edu

    Hi Morgan,

     

    I think we should add a project page on the Portal for “Reusable To-Go Containers” under “Decrease Wasteful Practices Through Behavior Change”. Then, the “Bevier Café Reusable Carry-Out Program” project could go under the “Reusable To-Go Containers” page, and a new project can be made for “Dining Hall Reusable Carry-Out Program” along with the subsequent locations that implement similar programs. What do you think?

    Thanks!

    Meredith

     

  9. Zero Waste iCAP Team: Reusables in Dining Meeting Notes (7/26)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers

    On July 26, 2021, the Zero Waste iCAP Team met to discuss Reusable Dining Options. In this call, Thurman Etchison, Justin Holding, Meredith Moore, Alexa Smith, and Avery Maloto spoke about a reusable to-go container program that is scheduled to launch at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester.

    Key takeaways from the call include the purchase of 10,000 reusable containers that will soon be available at Ikenberry, ISR, and LAR dining halls.

    See the attached file to read the meeting notes.

    Attached Files: 

  11. iWG Meeting Minutes from 4-27-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Reusable Containers
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Land and Water Recommendations Summary

    The iWG met on April 27, 2021, and discussed the iCAP Team recommendations: ZW002 Join NERC Government Recycling Demand Champions, ZW003 GreenerOffice Delivery Service Enrollment, ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program, LW002 Vet Med Parking Re-Design, and LW003 Certified Green Building Certification. See meeting minutes attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  12. 3/26 Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Increase Recycling through the WTS
    Reusable Containers
    Develop Sustainable Purchasing Policies

    Attached are the meeting minutes from the Zero Waste SWATeam meeting on 3/26. The agenda is as follows:

    • ZW002 NERC Recommendation (+comments)
    • ZW003 GreenerOffice Delivery Program
    • ZW004 Reusable Dining Options (+comments)
    • Roundtable Discussion (if necessary)
    Attached Files: 

  13. 3/12 Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reusable Containers
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    Meeting minutes for the Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting on 3/12 are attached. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

    • M. Liberman: NERC Recommendation
      • Is it ready?
      • Do you need support?
    • T. Etchison: Reusable Dining Options Pilot
      • Update?
      • Do you need support?
    • C. Steel: Adopt-A-Highway
      • Update?
      • Do you need support?
      • Are there any alternatives?
      • Can we make a recommendation that iSEE host their own event, which we help facilitate?
    • C. Steel: Composting Program/Urban Canopy
      • Update?
      • Do you need support?
      • Are there alternatives?
      • Can we go a different direction with this local, closed-loop composting program idea?
    • Roundtable Discussion
      • Removal of virgin paper from F&S stores/catalogues
      • Elimination of thermal paper receipts
      • Assessment of third party vendors footprint (single-use plastics, recyclable materials, etc) in the Union.
      • Student Waste Management Educational initiative.
      • Single-use plastics in vending machines.
      • Reuse of Surplus Goods
      • Battery Recycling
    Attached Files: 

  14. Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting: 26 February 2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reusable Containers
    Recycled-Content Paper Policy in CAM
    Food Literacy Project
    Sustainable Procurement
    Sustainable Procurement Reports

    The meeting which took place on 26 February at 4PM (CDT) discussed the following:

    • Reusable dining options (Follow-up to Feb 12 guest presentation)
    • Reusable dining options (Recommendation)
    • Elimination of virgin paper at F&S Stores
    • Food Literacy Project
    Attached Files: 

  16. RightCycle End of Year 2018 metrics

    Associated Project(s): 
    Glove Recycling

    Hello Shantanu,

    Congratulations on your outstanding waste diversion accomplishments in 2018!  By participating in the RIGHTCYCLE* Program, University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign has diverted 10,086 pounds of glove waste from landfills. Thank you for your commitment to corporate social responsibility and your continued efforts to reduce your impact on the environment.

    9/12/2018

    University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign

    RC4016

    Gloves

     

    8/27/2018

    University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign

    RC3983

    Gloves

    9515

    10/1/2018

    University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign

    RC4226

    Gloves

    71

    1/17/2018

    University of Illinois Urbana- Chemistry

    RC3362

    Gloves

    500

    Please remember to email rightcycle@kcc.com to request a release number prior to shipping your waste and to clearly display this number on your shipment.

    It all adds up to zero landfill and a more efficient workplace. 

     

    Thank you,

    Erika

  17. Glove Recycling - Program Changes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Glove Recycling

    Morgan White sent the following message to labs participating in the glove recycling program on Dec. 13, 2018:

    Hello Glove Recycling Contacts,

     

    Thank you for your support of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) waste reduction efforts, in connection with the Kimberly-Clark Professionals RightCycle program.  We are very appreciative of the initiative and time you all have dedicated to glove recycling to help reduce landfill waste from the University of Illinois over the past three years. I’m also emailing the people who have expressed interest in joining the program, so you are aware of these changes.

     

    I am writing to let you know that we will halt glove recycling for research labs and teaching labs on campus, as of the end of this calendar year.  The RightCycle program is only intended for recycling non-hazardous materials, and the majority of our labs are using gloves as protection against hazards or potential hazards.  Therefore, we will continue to participate in RightCycle only with gloves used for food service, starting in 2019.  If you are collecting gloves to recycle from a lab on campus, please do not drop off gloves and do not ship them to Kimberly-Clark after December 31, 2018.

     

    If you and your colleagues in research and teaching labs would like to continue actively supporting campus sustainability, please join the Certified Green Lab Program at https://go.illinois.edu/greenlab, coordinated through the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE).

     

    Please let me know if you have any questions about glove recycling, and have a happy holiday season.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

  18. Weekly Updates for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Glove Recycling

    The updates below apply to the week ending Dec. 9, 2018.

    Hi Pete and Shawn--

    This past week, zero-waste activity focused on a major change to the glove recycling program. Morgan and I spoke with Monica Miller on Friday and heard concerns about the potential for labs (especially research labs) to inadvertently place hazardous materials in the recycling stream. Monica pointed out the complexities of compliance, especially when staff turns over at a lab. The determination was to stop glove recycling at labs. There may be some exceptions that DRS would need to determine on a case-by-case basis.

    Morgan is drafting a message to the labs to tell them of the changes, which will take effect Dec. 31. Per Monica's request, I have contacted Serenity Desmond at Noyes and the Chem Annex to ask her to contact Monica about the change. Monica is familiar with ISTC's practices and is comfortable with their continued participation. There is no issue with Dining Services or food venues continuing to participate.

    I have contacted the BER students who were trying to find the names of teaching coordinators so that DRS could talk with them under the previous plan. I told them to send the information they have already collected but that they can stop. Morgan and I hope to enlist them to help expand the program in food venues, and possibly to promote RightCycle to restaurants in the community.

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan

  19. Recontacted BER Volunteers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Glove Recycling

    With the students back in town for the semester, Marya Ryan re-contacted the Business in Environmental Responsibility (BER) volunteers she spoke with in the spring. The volunteers are helping with the glove recycling program. Over the summer, they identified contacts for nonparticipating departments with $2,000 or more in nitrile glove purchases for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2017-2018. Ryan emailed their contact person, Meghna Vijayan, and caught her up on events over the summer, such as the relocation of the trailer at PPSB and F&S's work with the Division of Research Safety. Ryan also asked whether they could help identify teaching coordinators in the teaching labs to assist with that work.

  20. Working with Division of Research Safety on Glove Recycling Safety

    Associated Project(s): 
    Glove Recycling

    Morgan White and Marya Ryan had a phone call with Monica Miller of the Division of Research Safety (DRS) and Shantanu Pai. F&S is working with DRS to ensure that labs/facilities participating in the glove recycling program are employing best safety practices to prevent biohazards and dangerous chemicals from entering the recycling stream. Ryan has emails out to participating labs to gather lab names, room numbers, and PI contact information so that F&S can start assessing any additional instructions, training, or other program components that will support safe practices.

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