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Projects Updates for place: National Soybean Research Center

  2. 2021 Freezer Challenge Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    For the second year in a row, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign won the "Winning Streak Award" for earning the most points and saving the most kWh/year of any academic institution. This is the fourth year in a row we have topped the academic sector list! UIUC estimated annual energy savings was at 383,615 kWh's or approximately $32,262.

    All of the freezer challenge winners can be found here.

  5. Finalized Bee Campus USA Sign Design

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    A 24" by 36" Bee Campus USA sign will be installed at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street, by the Florida-Orchard prairie, near Orchard Downs and the Presidents’ House.

    The sign includes information about Bee Campus USA, local pollinators, the creation of the prairie zone, and more!

    See the attached file to view a digital rendition of the signage.

    Attached Files: 

  9. 2021 Freezer Challenge Recap & Summary

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    In the 2021 Freezer Challenge, 222 labs participated from over 100 different research institutions across 17 countries. The combined efforts of the scientists and labs saved 4.6 million kWh of electricity over the past year, which is the equivalent of reducing carbon emissions by 3,260 metric tons. 

    Based on the U of I's submitted scoresheets (33 in total), the combined actions of the university saved a total of 1051 kWh/day across multiple labs throughout campus. 

  10. Final bicycle registration sign and work order details

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Registration
    ENG 177 GFX Global Sustainability Scholars
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Please see attached the final bicycle registration sign design in JPEG and PDF formats. We have received approvals from Housing to put up these signs in the major high traffic bicycle parking locations, mainly in the SDRP, LAR, FAR/PAR, and Busey Evans bicycle parking areas. We are also looking at Illini Union and ARC for these signs in this cycle, but dependent on funding.

    Sarthak Prasad has submitted a work order to fabricate and install the bike registration signs at these locations (as mentioned in previous project updates). The Work Order number is 10885468.

    Attached Files: 

  12. iWG Meeting 7-22-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Green Research Committee
    Freezer Challenge
    Topical iCAP Teams
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary

    The iCAP Working Group met on 7-22-21. Attached are the meeting minutes. The agenda was as follows: 

    1. Introductions
    2. Energy006
      1. Update on Freezer Challenge (Paul Foote) ~4 min
      2. Update on Greener Labs Inventory Toolkit (Morgan White) ~4 min
      3. Energy Team introduce the recommendation (Bill Rose, Andy Stumpf) ~8 min
      4. Group discussion ~10 min
    3. Energy007
      1. Overview of Energy Management Plan (Rob Roman) ~6 min
      2. Energy Team introduce the recommendation (Bill Rose, Andy Stumpf) ~8 min
      3. Group discussion ~45 min
        1. Should the scope only utilize existing technology?
        2. Do we want project-specific preliminary costs or prorated estimates based on historical costs?
        3. Does this document need stakeholder engagement?
        4. This is for meeting the 2050 iCAP goal.
        5. Should this document include net-zero space aspects or should it utilize an anticipated growth percentage?
        6. How does deferred maintenance interact with this plan?
        7. What scenarios would we like to see? For example, what if every new building on campus had to be net-zero energy?
    4. Overview of vision for iCAP Teams this academic year (Meredith Moore) ~5 min
      1. Enhanced interaction about the iCAP
      2. Standard recommendations from topical teams – encourage small-scale recommendations that will get to more campus units/groups
      3. Active participation at Campus Sustainability Celebration – afternoon of 10/20/21
      4. Increase connections with other groups – Student Affairs, SSLC, etc.
    Attached Files: 

  13. Scope Change requested: Bike and Ped Counters

    Associated Project(s): 
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Sarthak Prasad requested a scope change for the Bicycle Registration and RFID Tracking Program project on July 23, 2021. This scope change request includes changes to the following:

    1. Project name change
    2. Primary contact for the project
    3. Change in Project description
    4. Timeline extension
    5. Plan for the remaining fund – purchase and install another Eco-Counter. Overage will be covered by TDM

    Please see attached the scope change document from 2020 as well as 2021.

    Attached Files: 

  14. Archived Info - Previous Project Description

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

    Dart Container at 1505 E. Main St., Urbana, accepts expanded polystyrene (EPS), more commonly known by its brand name Styrofoam, for recycling. Departments are encouraged to take EPS there to recycle this bulky material. By doing so, we can reduce the volume of waste sent from campus to landfills and avoid the harmful environmental impacts of that practice. There is no charge to drop off EPS at Dart for recycling.

    There is currently no central funding source to pay for transportation of EPS to Dart, so departments need to arrange transport independently.

    The drop-off location is in a fenced-in area of the Dart parking lot and may be accessed 24 hours a day. Dart accepts foam packaging (except for packaging peanuts), foam cups, foam egg cartons, foam meat trays, foam ice chests, and other foam products that fall within these guidelines:

    • Make sure foam has the #6 chasing arrows symbol on it.
    • Deposit foam in a clear or translucent bag (large bags are provided at the drop-off site).
    • Rinse or wipe foodservice containers free from food.
    • Remove straws, lids, tape or any other non-foam material.
    • Do not include foam-packaging peanuts.

    From fall 2015 until summer 2017, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) ran the Styrecycle program in partnership with Community Resource Inc. (CRI). Ownership of CRI changed in July 2017, and the new owner was not able to continue the program.

  15. AASHE Webinar on Green Office Programs

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)

    From: Vandenbergh, Lydia Bodman <lbv10@psu.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 9:16 AM
    To: Vandenbergh, Lydia Bodman
    Cc: Wendy Olmstead
    Subject: July 21st AASHE Webinar on Green Office Programs

     

    Upcoming Webinar:

    Webinar: Creating or Improving Green Office and Lab Certification Programs: Best Practices

    July 21 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

    Free

    If your institution is considering creating a Green Office Certification Program (GOCP) or improving an existing one, you have company. In 2019, several universities and colleges were in the same situation, and created a focus group to explore best practices, under the auspices of the Big Ten and Friends Sustainability Network. The group’s size blossomed over the following year to representing about twenty-five institutions, offering a breadth of experience to tap.

    The group found that program models vary by assessment process; staffing; metrics; alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals; adaptability for remote workers; target audience; recognition approach; and participation incentives. After an initial benchmarking process, they honed in on four programmatical areas to explore improvements: metrics; addressing social actions; alignment with professional development goals; and remote work adaptability. In this AASHE session, participants will learn about various program models and the best practices from three leaders involved in the analysis effort: Lydia Vandenbergh from Penn State University; Tony Gillund of Ohio State University; and Wendy Olmstead from California State University, Stanislaus.

    This presentation will provide valuable tips and models to consider for those looking to launch or evolve their own programs that make sustainability the norm in work and lab spaces. Although this session is focused on examples from the higher ed community, the information could be applied to non-profits and other organizations.

     

    Register here.

     

    Lydia Vandenbergh
    Associate Director of Employee Engagement and Education
    Sustainability Institute

    Penn State University
    814-863-4893 (o)
    814-880-3058 (c)

     

    "When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide." John Lewis, July 2020

     

    Check out our programs:
    sustainability.psu.edu/greenteams
    sustainability.psu.edu/greenpaws

     

     

  16. The compost tumbler is back!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Compost at National Soybean Research Center (NSRC) [ARCHIVED]

    The compost tumbler is once again available for drop-off at the National Soybean Research Center! A few reminders:

    • Drop off organic material only, including food scraps (remove stickers!), coffee grounds, paper towels/napkins, and tea bags.
    • Compostable ware (cutlery, cups, etc.) cannot go in the tumbler.
    • Please refrain from putting in extremely dense or packed material. We'd prefer not to have excessively dense or heavy materials. 

    To prevent bad odors and flies, please also put in "brown" material, including leaves or paper towels, and give the tumbler a turn. If you encounter any issues, please contact Meredith Moore at mkm0078@illinois.edu. Thank you!! 

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