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Projects Updates for theme: all

  1. Award Letter - Illini Algae Club Abbott CO2

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Groups with Sustainability Focus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The goal of this project is to further develop the relationship between the university, the Illini Algae Club and its students, the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department as well as other departments, and the Abbott Power Plant. Using a pre-established waste to algae remediation system used in experimental design, we will apply this system to a real-world use. We will do this through the use of a semester project focused on remediation of university wastewater that can be scaled up into a larger scale project in the future that the club can build off of. Our goal is to provide the foundation of active student involvement for which our organization can grow.

    We will do this by first analyzing how well our small-scale systems can work with the local Abbot Power Plant waste. This further enhances our cooperative relationship with the Abbott Power Plant. Once we determine feasibility of the system, then the students can design and build a larger scale system at the local power plant that can reduce their waste as well as produce some renewable energy for the university. This will provide the ability of students to make their own choices with our small-scale experiment as well as allow them to create a vision of their own for the club’s future larger scale activities.

     

    Attached Files: 

  2. Award Letter - Allerton Toilet

    Associated Project(s): 
    Allerton Climate Action Plan (apCAP)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    In keeping with recent sustainability projects currently underway, Allerton Park would like to install a Clivus Multrum compost toilet system at the park’s Schroth Trailhead, providing park volunteers, trail-hikers and other visitors the ability to use the restroom in an environmentally sustainable and convenient manner without needing to travel all the way to the Visitor Center to do so. Allerton would like to install permanent restroom facilities at the Schroth trailhead, replacing the need to rent portable restrooms for every outdoor event or volunteer day. The addition of the Clivus Multrum compost toilet will provide Allerton with a much-needed restroom facility located at the Schroth Trailhead while at the same time providing University of Illinois students and members of the general public the opportunity to learn about the technology available that can help society manage waste sustainably. Additionally, the compost created by the compost toilet may be used directly on park grounds or integrated into the compost system at the Diversified Farm at the park’s northeast edge, augmenting the quality of the present compost system.

    Attached Files: 

  3. Award Letter - Allerton Park Waste Receptacles

    Associated Project(s): 
    Allerton Climate Action Plan (apCAP)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    In accordance with the explicit goals of the Allerton Park Climate Action Plan (apCAP), Allerton Park aims to install an augmented park-wide recycling collection system. The project is a critical component of the larger Solid Waste Diversion Plan, currently under development by Urban Planning Masters student, Tony Herhold. The goal of the project is to provide park visitors and staff with the opportunity to dispose waste in an environmentally sound, sustainable manner. By providing receptacles for the multiple waste streams accounted for in the park waste audits performed in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015 alongside new waste collection protocols, park staff will now be able to recycle or compost waste that would otherwise be directed to the landfill. Allerton seeks funding for nine Super Sorter receptacles form Busch Systems, based in Canada. The four-stream receptacles are built from 66-99% recycled plastic materials and are themselves 100% recyclable. The remaining funding will go toward purchasing indoor receptacles for various office locations throughout the park as well as signage for the receptacles. The goal of the project will be to make it as easy, or easier, to recycle waste than it is to throw it into the landfill waste receptacle. Clear signage signaling what types of waste should be deposited into the specific receptacles as well as deterrent signage (e.g. “LANDFILL WASTE†on trash cans instead of the typical “Wasteâ€) will help to deter improper waste disposal. The goal of this project is to further develop the relationship between the university, the Illini Algae Club and its students, the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department as well as other departments, and the Abbott Power Plant. Using a pre-established waste to algae remediation system used in experimental design, we will apply this system to a real-world use. We will do this through the use of a semester project focused on remediation of university wastewater that can be scaled up into a larger scale project in the future that the club can build off of. Allerton’s goal is to provide the foundation of active student involvement for which our organization can grow.

    The project calls for clear, concise signage and information pamphlets/posters on and around the waste stations. The goal is to make it as easy, or easier, to recycle than to dispose of trash in a landfill waste receptacle (which will still be available), and with access to an array of receptacles for new waste streams, park visitors and staff should have no issues.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Award Letter - Operation Enduring Frigidity - FA2014

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Energy Consumption from Computer Rooms
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The School of Chemical Sciences houses a data center in Noyes Laboratory which is the home to more than 30 racks of computers. These machines are used by the Chemistry Learning Center, which serves all undergraduate students in General Chemistry courses, the departments of Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and are used constantly by faculty and graduate students. The goal of this project is to make the server room more energy efficient so as to reduce both the financial and environmental impact on the university.

    This is a multi-phase project with the plan being each phase will take steps towards energy reduction. (1) Install power monitors in the panels so we can collect data on how much electricity is consumed by the machine room, (2) Contain the cold aisle so that hot and cold air do not mix, (3) install new hardware into the HVAC units so that they can communicate with each other so they will not fight, and (4) install a heat exchanger for use during winter. Steps 3 and 4 are planned for a future date.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Bike recycle event, KellerWilliams Realtor RED Day Bicycle Recycle event

    Associated Project(s): 
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]

    Happy Bike Month Everybody,

    We have lots of bike-related events going on in May.  And as the use of bikes and the local bike community grows, we will have more and more bike events.  This is all good.  Champaign County Bikes will try to share local bike information and keep everyone informed. (A growing task for us, and one of the reasons we need to grow and add capacity!)  For now, during Bike Month - our Bike Month calendar and resources are at www.CUBike.org  A more complete and ongoing bike event calendar that draws from many of our local bike groups is at our CCB website, www.champaigncountybikes.org.

    I just want to quick highlight a new event, one I just received some information on tonight.  I believe it’s good that all of us who share leadership roles in our bicycle community are well informed, given that that we might be asked about any bike-related event in town, including this new event.  Scott Bechtel and his staff at KellerWilliams Realtor are hosting this RED DAY Bicycle Recycle event, and as I understand it are promoting it primarily within their extensive network of contacts, and then generally in the community.  One of our CCB members knows Scott and they have had some conversations. This is how CCB knows of RED DAY.  Red Day falls on our local Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 14.

    You can find more information at:  www.KWChampaignRedDay.com, at KellerWillimas, or their Facebook page.

    Thanks for everything all of you are doing to make Champaign County an awesomely Bicycle Friendly Place!

    Jeff

    Jeff Yockey

    President

    Champaign County Bikes

    jeff@champaigncountybikes.org

    www.champaigncountybikes.org

    217 565-1785

     

     

     

    Attached Files: 

  7. Opportunities for Collaboration

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC [ARCHIVED]

    Hi everyone,

    Attached is the Opportunities for Collaboration document draft discussed at today’s meeting, including the list of plans that helped inform the document. Please send me your top picks from the ideas listed (and any ideas that aren’t on the list), as well as plans that did not get considered but should have, so that successive drafts can be more comprehensive. Let me know if you have any questions or other comments.

    Thanks!

    Kathleen Oldrey

    Attached Files: 

  8. Layout of Demonstration Plots

    Associated Project(s): 
    Native Plants at Arboretum

    Here is the layout of the 4 prairie plots just west of the pollinatarium building and wooded area.  They are designed to give decision makers and homeowners an idea of how prairie plantings of different heights can look.

    The plant mix is good for pollinators and will have something in bloom most of the growing season, it was however limited by what we could get late in the late spring. 

    ~John C. Marlin, PhD, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

    Attached Files: 

  11. Prospectus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability

    We are writing with an update on the Big Ten and Friends Sustainability Group’s effort to develop a prospectus with the working title “Aligning Sustainability with Leadership Priorities”. We are pleased to inform you that AASHE has agreed to handle financial arrangements for project, including invoicing all partner institutions and paying the consultant. We have reframed the original memorandum of understanding document into a scope of work, which we are attaching here for your review.

    ~ Michael Gulich, Director of University Sustainability, Purdue University

    Attached Files: 

  12. Rooftop Solar Student Project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Independent Student Projects

    Brendan McDonnell is working with F&S to identify the best buildings on campus for rooftop solar.  Brendan is a MechSE graduate student working toward an MS in ME with a certificate in Energy Systems Engineering, and this is his summer capstone project.  Professor Elif Ertekin is his advisor for the project, and Morgan Johnston is his supervisor at F&S.   The files Brendan is collecting are stored in the iSEE Solar box folder at https://uofi.app.box.com/files/0/f/2802975201/iSEE_-_Solar_Working_Group....

  13. May 21 2015 minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Energy Generation, Purchasing, & Distribution (eGen) SWATeam
    Utilities Master Plan for Energy Production and Distribution
    Reduce Emissions from Energy Consumption
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Appropriately Staff Zero Waste Efforts
    Reduce Emissions from Transportation
    Transportation iCAP Team
    2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (2015 iCAP) [ARCHIVED]

    see file

    Attached Files: 

  14. University Housing award application

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award [ARCHIVED]
    University Housing Trayless Dining

    University Housing applied for (and later won) the 2015 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award. 

    Housing has implemented sustainable efforts across our organization. By working together, we make significant change that also impacts the environment and our bottom line. Our residents and staff benefit from local foods; clean, non-toxic facilities; and gain education and contribute to a sustainable future. Our sustainability initiatives have resulted in cost savings on raw food, food waste, water, electricity, and chemicals. Our recycling efforts have diverted tons of waste from landfills. And our education efforts help our residents and staff members see how their actions and choices contribute to sustainability efforts.

    Attached Files: 

  17. bike warehouse cleanout

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Michelle,

    I have removed all bikes from the warehouse.

    James

    From: Wahl, Michelle
    Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 6:27 PM
    To: Roedl, James M
    Cc: Johnston, Morgan B; DeLorenzo, Stacey; Calloway, Jason Robard; Wise, Michael Anthony
    Subject: Re: Bike Pick Up!

    That is awesome thanks for the quick reply! I will let Kari know tomorrow! 

    Michelle 
    Sent from my iPhone


    On Apr 28, 2015, at 5:18 PM, Roedl, James M wrote:

    Michelle,

    I can work with Kari and should be able to get all of those bikes out by Friday the 1st.  If that works for you.

    Thanks,
    James

     

  19. Community Arbor Day Proclamation 2015

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Hello Campus Tree Advisory Committee,

    Tomorrow is the Arbor Day Celebration on the Main Quad at 11:30.  The signed proclamation is attached here.  Please also welcome our newest committee member, Maggie Thomas, a student volunteer. 

    We are working to spread the word about the event tomorrow, so please remind your friends and coworkers to attend.  Please join us if you are able! 

    Thanks,

    Morgan

    Link to benefits from Trees: http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/resources/benefits_trees.pdf

    Thank you Email and invitation:

    Mayors:

    Thank you for your staffs help in preparing for our first Arbor Day on campus.  Mike Brunk, in Urbana, has been very helpful with coordinating the joint proclamation with Urbana, Champaign, and UIUC.  We intend to hold a celebration on April 24 at 11:30 on the Main Quad by the Henry Administration Building.  Mike DeLorenzo will read the proclamation, our staff will share a short explanation about the benefits of trees, students from Uni High will be there supporting the event, and then our Grounds division will plant a new tree.  There will also be a trivia contest for the attendees, and we will hand out white pine saplings.   

    I know your schedules are very busy but I hope that you will be able to stop by during our celebration, and we would be happy to share information about your Arbor Day events as well.

    Thanks;

    Al Stratman

    Executive Director, Facilities & Services

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    1501 S. Oak Street, 135C PPSB, M/C 800

    Champaign, IL 61820-6905

    (217) 333-2500

    Attached Files: 

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