You are here

Projects Updates for theme: Engagement

  1. SSLC First Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)

    Below is an email from Jack Reicherts regarding SSLC's first meeting of the semester.

     

    Ahoy there ye lily-livered landlubbers!

     

    (If any pirate speak is unclear, please email me for clarification). This be yer friendly neighborhood pirate, writing to remind ye that the first meeting of the Spring semester for the Student Sustainability Leadership Council be approaching fast. We'll be meeting on the 6th day of February, at the strike of 6 bells in the evening (2/6 at 6 pm!), in the Student Org Complex.

    Now, if ye be new to these parts, ye should know that the Student Org Complex be located on the southwest stairwell in the Illini Union. Ye can't miss it, just keep yer eyes peeled for the skull and crossbones.

    And remember, every meeting requires a representative from each member organization to be present, otherwise ye'll be walking the plank. But if ye have a recurring conflict, ye can always reach out to me, yer friendly neighborhood pirate.

    But there's more to this meeting than just the usual business. We're electing a new exec board for SSLC, and we'll be holding a simple application and interview process. So, I'd like to invite all interested members of your respective organizations to attend, so they can see a normal general meeting.

    So, mark yer calendars and don't be late, or ye'll be feeding the sharks. And don't forget, to bring interested members with you to join SSLC exec board.

    Yours in service,
    Jack "The Scalawag" Reicherts, Pirate Co-Captain of the SSLC

  5. 1-25-23 External Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    On January 25, UIUC sustainability representatives met with Coca-Cola and discussed the following:

    Attendance: Jake Slager, Jen Fraterrigo, Thurman Etchison, Steve Breitwieser, Bryan Johnson, Sarah Carten, Shawn Patterson, Dominika Szal, Daphne Hulse

    Agenda:

    1. Zero Waste men’s basketball game Thursday, March 2 at 6pm (vs. Michigan).

      1. This is a Coca-Cola partnership game, so Jake will be there.

      2. Continue integrations with the DIA as we move forward, rather than pushing to be at the center of attention.

      3. F&S Zero Waste Team to plan and execute.

        1. Work out the logistics with State Farm Center recycling.

      4. iSEE will connect to volunteer base to pull 75-100 volunteers.

      5. Coca-Cola:

        1. Digital signage.

          1. Advertise across campus ahead of the event.

          2. Signage we can create that will be printed for use? Student volunteers said the Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste signage they were holding didn't make it clear to attendees what was going on.

        2. T-shirts: volunteer and giveaway.

    2. Recycling Value Assessment audit details:

      1. Afternoon of February 16.

      2. Jake, Daphne, and Shawn will discuss in more detail.

    3. Campaign updates:

      1. Don’t Waste Wednesdays.

    4. Coca-Cola video from the 11/14 game.

     

  6. Bike Fee potential increase - discussion with SSC

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Programs and Infrastructure Fee
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Sarthak Prasad, Morgan White, and Stacey DeLorenzo met with Jack Reicherts and Lucy Nifong from Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) to discuss a possible increase in the Bike Fee from $1 per semester per student to $3 per semester per student.

    SSC will lead the referenda and seek approval for this increase from the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC). Sarthak Prasad has shared the Bike Fee proposals from FY17 to FY24 that were approved by the SFAC as supporting document. Sarthak will also share a possible proposal for FY25 and FY26 with the budget of nearly $250,000 per year.

  8. 1-23-23 Internal Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    On January 9, UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

     

    Attendance: Marty Kaufmann, Thurman Etchison, Dominika Szal, Jen Fraterrigo, Pete Varney, Shawn Patterson, Tony Mancuso, Steve Breitwieser, Travis Tate, Bryan Johnson, Julie Wurth, Daphne Hulse

     

    Agenda:

    1. Meeting Cadence

      1. Reduced to every other week, based on a conversation Daphne Hulse and Jen Fraterrigo had. They would like to hold strategic meetings for initiatives that extend beyond recycling (focus on waste reduction).

    2. External Meeting with Coca-Cola (Jake Slager)

      1. First of the semester: Wednesday, January 25 (1-1:30pm).

      2. Once per month.

      3. Agenda: discuss upcoming basketball game, Don’t Waste Wednesdays campaign, Coca-Cola video from the 11/14 men’s basketball game.

    3. DIA Sustainability Initiatives

      1. Zero Waste Big Ten Men’s Basketball Game

        1. F&S Zero Waste leading the effort, with support from iSEE, DIA, Coca-Cola.

        2. Tentatively Thursday, March 2 6pm (versus University of Michigan).

        3. More operational than forward-facing.

        4. 75-100 volunteers working in shifts. Emphasis on after-game stand pick up.

          1. Tom Divan - contact to confirm the logistics of the after-game stand pick up.

          2. Next steps:

            1. Logistics

              1. Address tunnel situation under the State Farm Center (include Shawn Patterson in this discussion).

            2. Volunteers

              1. Use iSEE’s volunteer network.

              2. Provide Marty with the names of student volunteers.

              3. Volunteers can still check-in at main west entrance, though we cannot use the Orange Krush area again.

            3. Messaging - bringing reusable bottles?

              1. Seek a sponsorship for this initiative.

              2. Giveaway versus selling?

              3. Consider DIA messaging a topic for a smaller, strategic meeting.

        5. Measuring the efficacy of the recycling effort

          1. Marty reached out to concessionaire - will follow up. Data from the concessionaire helps us understand how many items actually end up recycled.

          2. F&S measures these weights separate from the rest of campus waste.

      2. State Farm Center permanent recycling bins

        1. F&S Zero Waste working with the facility to perform an audit, create a cost breakdown, and justification for recycling infrastructure.

        2. Submit an iCAP recommendation by the end of the semester.

      3. Fall 2023 Tailgate Recycling

        1. F&S Zero Waste + iCAP Zero Waste working with Tim Knox on developing a plan for comprehensive tailgate recycling.

        2. Document is in progress…

        3. Loop in Coca-Cola when plan is more formalized.

      4. Student Involvement

        1. Students from the iCAP Zero Waste team are interfacing with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience) to determine how best students can approach sustainability initiatives within Athletics.

        2. Combine our top-down staff/faculty approaches with a bottom-up student approach.

    4. Don’t Waste Wednesdays Campaign

      1. First post: iSEE on Wednesday, January 25.

      2. iSEE working on social media backgrounds.

     

  9. Fall 2023: Tailgate Recycling initial meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tailgate Recycling
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    On January 20, Nikki Palella, Justin Holding, Shawn Patterson, and Dominika Szal, and Daphne Hulse met to discuss the following:

    What will be recycled?

    • UIUC currently recycles plastics #1&2, metal, aluminum, paper, and cardboard

    • Products that can be found at tailgates: paper and plastic products, aluminum, glass

    • UIUC does not recycle glass:

      • Would we potentially be able to haul glass to the vendor that UIUC Dining uses? (Midwest Fiber)

        • Check cost with Midwest Fiber.

        • If there is a cost, consider DIA supporting this cost.

          • Selling point: anything recyclable will be free of charge to remove.

      • We would need to provide a separated bin for glass products at each tailgate section

    • Aluminum and plastic bottles can be collected, plastic and paper might be accepted depending on its use (plastic cups might be accepted, but any paper/plastic product used for food is most likely going to have to go into landfill)

      • Future idea: use diversion rates from the tailgating and stand pick up collection as segue into DIA concessionaire conversations (because we will eventually hit a wall for our diversion rate if we can’t collect food waste, food-soiled containers, non-recyclable materials)

    What will need to be prepared

    • Signage regarding what is recyclable, what isn’t (this was successful at the basketball game).

      • Located at all the major parking lots: E14, E32.

        • Contact DIA to understand the SFC parking lot use for tailgating.

      • Could be a signboard located in key points throughout the tailgate areas.

      • In combination: have informational papers (pamphlets) attached to the bags that are handed out that explain what is/isn’t recyclable.

    • Centralized bins to collect recyclables and trash:

      • Swingpans, rolloffs, iSEE in a central location.

    • Volunteers would be needed (iSEE interns)

      • Roles:

        • Some could walk around carrying bags to give to tailgaters.

        • Some could walk around collecting recyclables specifically and provide information.

        • Some could stand by the bins to ensure that items are placed in the proper location.

        • Have it be shift-based. We learned at the basketball game that that would be most successful. During rush time (1 hour before the game starts, have the most volunteers on board).

    • Incentive via raffle:

      • Tailgaters incentivized to recycle, entered into a raffle if they do. Sustainable swag as a giveaway.

    Other considerations

    • How many tailgating areas are there?

      • How many stands would be needed to cover each tailgating area? How many volunteers per area/in charge of a stand.

      • Grange Grove is popular spot.

      • Initially, we will only target E14 and E32 as this is where the majority of tailgaters will be, then we can expand as initiative develops over time.

    • Would we like to try to implement any “zero waste” games to go along with the tailgate recycling as well?

      • Idea: instead of having a zero waste game like we do for basketball, focus efforts on before games (tailgating) and after games (pickup in the stands).

        • We would need ~100-150 volunteers for stand pick up after games, assuming a 45min-1hour pickup session

          • Incentivize with free football game tickets.

          • Pro: having volunteers pick up would assist the DIA staff who would otherwise have to pick up the items from the stand (and put them in the landfill).

          • Con: less interaction/engagement with attendees.

    • Shawn’s idea: Gamification. Have service fraternities/sororities assist with the tailgate recycling and compete with each other to see who can collect the most?

      • Could implement this within the pickup in the stands, too.

    • See how our partnership with Coca-Cola could play into this tailgate plan - could they assist with volunteer t-shirts, costs etc?

    • How many games would we want to implement this program?

      • In 2022 UIUC held 7 home games between the end of August and the start of November (the final 4 of these games were Big Ten; bigger crowds). 6 took place on Saturdays. 1 occurred on a Thursday.

      • Start small, learn the dynamic of the space. Start pre-season, if possible. Work up to a Big Ten game.

        • Once we get a hang of how everything works, we can aim big.

    • Seek recommendations from peer schools (OSU).

      • Results from the Big 10 survey could really help.

    F&S’ role

    • Collecting recyclables and trash after the event.

    • Providing the blue recycling bags.

    • Providing containers (free) for the tailgating spaces.

      • Reduces the overhead cost for DIA.

    • Daphne (ZW team - Shreya + Dominika) + Shawn.

    Timeline

    • January - May: Planning, strategizing with iCAP ZW team, F&S, DIA, iSEE, Coca-Cola as needed.

    • June-July: Buffer for any remaining planning. Prepare and execute publicity ahead of the fall semester.

    • Early-Mid August: Heavier publicity, recruit volunteers.

    • Late August: Launch the program.

    • Early November: Close the program

    Immediate next steps

    • Dominika: Reach out to Midwest Fiber to determine the cost of glass recycling.
    • Shreya: Reach out to DIA (Tim Knox) about how the State Farm Center parking lots are used during tailgates.
    • Team: Look into peer schools' programs for best practices.
    • Daphne: Schedule a Memorial Stadium Tour (for the stand recycling initiative).
    • Team: Create a more refined vision/roadmap, meet with the group for follow up.

  10. New iSEE Green Certifications

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Chapter Program
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)
    Certified Green Event Program

    Congratulations to the newest recipients of our Greener Campus Programs as we head into a new semester!

    Green Office: Visit Champaign County, Gold, Recertified January 2023

     

    Green Chapter: Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., Delta Chapter, Silver, Certified January 2023

     

    Green Event:

    -SSC Sustainability Career Panel, Certified January 2023

    -University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Everyday Environment Webinar Series, Certified January 2023

    -Office of the Chancellor for Special Events and Commencement Illinois vs. Nebraska Men's Basketball, Certified January 2023

    -University of Illinois-Special Events-Chancellor's Office HOPE Chicago Luncheon, Certified January 2023

    Keep up the great work!

  12. Meeting with U of Vienna

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    Madhu Khanna, Jennifer Fraterrigo, Meredith Moore, and Morgan White met with Christoph Kecht and his team from the University of Vienna, which was the first climate neutral university in Austria.  We shared information about our UIUC iCAP programs and they shared information about their efforts and the attached report.

    Attached Files: 

  13. iWG Meeting Minutes 12-12-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Education iCAP Team
    Engagement iCAP Team

    The iWG met on 12-12-22 and discussed the following agenda. The meeting minutes are attached. 

    1. Brief introductions
    2. LW004 Monarchs Need Milkweed
      1. Jen to transmit to F&S
    3. Education008 Sustainability in Study Abroad
    4. Engagement003 Sustainability Ambassador Program  
    5. Engagement004 ADV498 Sustainability Campaign Partnership
    6. Engagement005 DIA and Green Sports Alliance

    Next meeting:

    1. ZW009 Project4Less Expansion (Jamie to talk with Alma)
    2. Res004 Student Support for Coordinated Rainwater Management Plan
    3. Energy010 Establishment of a Clean Energy Plan Conference Committee
    4. Energy011 Priority Technologies and Practices for a Clean Energy Plan
    Attached Files: 

  14. Sustainability Council Meeting 12-13-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Clean Energy Plan
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement
    Sustainable Land Management Committee

    The Sustainability Council met on 12-13-22 and discussed the following agenda:

    • Zero Waste
    • Energy Planning
    • Strategic Plan
    • Old Business
      - Sustainability General Education Requirement
      - Sustainable Land Management Committee Report

    The meeting minutes and slide deck are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  15. New iSEE Green Event and Chapter Certifications

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Green Chapter Program
    Certified Green Event Program
    Certified Greener Campus Programs

    Congratulations to our newest recipients of our Certified Greener Campus Programs as we finish out the semester.

    Green Chapter:

    Alpha Phi Beta (Alpha Chapter), Gold, Recertified December 2022

    Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Gold, Recertified December 2022

     

    Green Event:

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events President and Chancellor’s Holiday Reception, Certified December 2022

     

    Keep up the great work!

  16. Pollinator Signage Final Report

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

    Several students apart of the Sustainability Living-Learning Community attended the 2017 AASHE Student Summit and participated in a Bee Campus USA workshop. These students decided that the University should obtain Bee Campus USA Certification for UIUC. Displaying signage focused on pollinator conservation was one of the requirements for this certification. Four signs were installed, and since their installment UIUC is a part of Bee Campus USA.

    Attached is the full report.

     

    Attached Files: 

  17. New iSEE Green Certifications

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Event Program
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)
    Certified Green Chapter Program

    Congratulations to the Office of the Chancellor for Special Events, OVCRI, Pi Phi, and the Office of Academic Programs (College of ACES) for their recent green certifications!

    Green Event:

    Office of the Chancellor for Special Events Il v. Monmouth Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022

    Office of the Chancellor for Special Events IL v. Lindenwood Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022

    Office of the Chancellor for Special Events IL v. Syracuse Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. Penn State Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v Alabama L&M Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. Bethane-Cookman, Certified November 2022

    OVCRI Research Development Day 2022, Certified December 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. WIsconsin Men's basketball game, Certified December 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. vs. Michigan State Men's Basketball, Certified December 2022

    Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. vs. Indiana Men's Basketball, Certified December 2022

     

    Green Chapter: Pi Beta Phi, Silver, Recertified November 2022

     

    Green Office: Office of Academic Programs (College of ACES), Silver, Certified November 2022

     

    Keep up the great work!

  18. Final Report: successes, areas for improvement, and feedback

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    America Recycles Day
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    On November 28, 2022 during the weekly Internal Coca-Cola meeting the group reviewed the attached final report.

    Important takeaways:

    • 280 lbs of recycling was collected (cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles), with an event diversion rate of 10.6%. With just incremental changes (student volunteers, recycling bin infrastructure in the upper concourse, and the implementation of blue recycling bags), we achieved this! An even greater diversion rate would not be difficult to achieve.
    • Organizing student volunteers into a shift-based system would cut volunteer time per student, streamline the volunteer training process, and simplify volunteer roles. We could incentivize pre- and post-game volunteerism with tickets to the game.
    • Stronger, more durable blue recycling bags are needed for future events if we are going to have student volunteers handling them; they leak easily otherwise.
    • Dedicate a group of volunteers to just post-game collection from the stands. There is a huge opportunity to collect recyclables left in the cup holders.
    • Feedback from volunteers and attendees was very positive:
      • In a post-event survey released to attendees, 300+ responses showed the following:
        • 51% of attendees were aware that this was a recycling-focused event.
        • 55% of attendees did recycle their bottles and/or cans.
        • 83% of attendees would support future recycling events at State Farm Center.
        • General comments indicated overall support for seeing the volunteers in action and support for the implementation of permanent recycling containers at the facility.

    Next steps:

    • Between F&S and DIA, determine how a recycling receptacle can be placed near the facility so blue recycling bags can be separated from the trash compactor located below the facility.
    • Draft a proposal for permanent recycling bin locations and the associated cost.
    • Look into Coca-Cola beverage sales (20oz and 12oz) and compare this to an estimate of how many were recycled. Coca-Cola and the University would like to see a 100% recycling rate for their products.
    • Plan for the next event! Likely spring 2023 during the basketball season. Big Ten?
    Attached Files: 

Pages