You are here

Projects Updates for theme: all

  3. 9-28-22 External Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    On September 28, UIUC sustainability representatives met with Coca-Cola and discussed the following:

    Attendance: Jake Slager, Meredith Moore, Jen Fraterrigo, Morgan White, Liz Doeschot, Marty Kaufmann, Kendall Chadwick, Tyler Swanson, Shawn Patterson, Thurman Etchison, John Mount

    • Daphne will be the primary point of contact going forward for UIUC.

    • Jen will get the spreadsheet of points of contact organized (Daphne can help with this).

    Agenda:

    • Liz will share sustainability insights after being on campus.

    • Update on Don’t Waste campaign.

      • Build out a broader scope of ideas to include all of campus life.

    • Updates on signage for digital and cooler bags (QR code).

    • One cost of U of I for the updated signage:

      • $10,000 budget (accrued 12 months, to spend across 18 months).

      • $8,000 to get 120 bins shipped for convocation and welcome week.

      • The next $10,000 for the next academic year could be used for the zero waste event or wherever it makes most sense to use.

      • The updated bins will be free for U of I (we already paid once for the original).

    • Colors of the bins:

      • Concern that the blue is going to be too dark.

      • One of the messages: recycling and re-enjoy it.

    • Thurman: don’t want any bins for dining. Cleaning them is challenging (especially the trash receptacles) because they fold up on you. Not a great solution for dining.

    Kendall Chadwick: currently in discovery phase. Coming to next call with list of questions to put together a plan that fits with our plan moving forward.

    Scheduling: 1 small Wednesday group, full group on the last Wednesday of the month

    • Thurman: likes to be here, doesn’t need to be here every week.

    • Shawn: likes to be here, doesn’t need to be here every week.

    • Marty: DIA, State Farm Center, keep on the weekly group.

    Do we have passionate student groups?

    • Athletics groups would be nice, and we don’t know them on the sustainability side.

    • DIA student liaison? Illini Orange? Block I? Illini Provide? Orange Crush?

    • Jen, Morgan, and Meredith have connections to sustainability student groups, but we want athletics groups too.

      • Marty will find a contact. Marketing would know.

    • On our side, we could have SECS, SSLC have a meeting with these student groups, with a couple relevant staff. iSEE is trying to make these connections.

    Meeting through Coca-Cola is a way to create synergies between different silos on campus. Right now, that’s sustainability and athletics.

    Zero Waste event: is this the right phrase? Closed-loop refers to getting it back to the original source. Think about the message:

    • iCAP has a Zero Waste chapter.

    • Hired a Zero Waste coordinator.

    • We can consider different phrases.

    Liz Doeschot: noticed on the walk that there were recycling receptacles with black trash bags.

    • Black bags are not guaranteed to cut through and recycle things.

    • Clear bags questionable. Could have recyclables in them, but may not. We can quickly identify if they do.

    • Blue bags are for recycling.

    • Dorms fall under Housing (Residence Halls).

     

  6. Solar Farm 3.0 Solution Comparisons and Cost Estimates

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Power on Campus
    Off-campus Solar Farm 3.0 PPA
    On-Campus Solar Farm 3.0

    Attached is a pdf and excel file looking at the costs and solution comparisons for Solar Farm 3.0. This was presented by F&S AVCED Ehab Kamarah to Chancellor Jones.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Don't Waste Campaign - University of Illinois + Coca-Cola Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    Below is an email from Jake Slager regarding a recurring meeting with UIUC and Coca Cola on sustainability topics.

    Attached are graphics discussed in the meeting.

     

    Hi everyone,

     

    Attached are the files reviewed on this week’s call:

    • MBS best in class recycling messaging and zero waste event criteria
    • Updated “Don’t Waste” Campaign Logos lo res files for review/feedback

     

    Recap from today’s call with full details are below in red to answer recent questions:

    • Proposals for zero waste athletic events: we are interested in hearing about what has and hasn't worked for other universities. Will we hear about proposals this week or the next?
      • Shared again that consistency around sustainability messaging is key, engaging student groups, service hour opportunities with passionate groups to educate, amplify, and execute the event could be next best steps to understand scope and timing
        • To go through all items, cost can be $20k-$30k to get everything captured/sorted-so checking what’s most feasible to execute a zero waste event that’s impactful but realistic too so we’re all able to learn from greatly overall
        • Athletics support needed: Jennifer checking with Athletics Board/DIA personnel meeting, Jake to discuss with Marty further too
    • Updated materials for the new "Don't Waste" logo
      • Attached low res updates for review and discussion today
      • Coca-Cola North America will update graphics and bins with only the 1 time cost to U of I since this tag line/messaging changed due to trademark on Don’t Waste It
        • Context provided that original slogan was ok/approved for last 18 months until recently it was caught trademark filed-using Don’t Waste on campus moving forward which is clear
    • Revised drawing/rendering of the picnic tables
      • Attached-please continue to update Coke on campus mapping approval/feedback and timing to understand if and when these are able to be placed (could push back past Nov 15 America Recycles Day of UIUC needs more time to implement)
      • Also see all answers on questions for these tables too

    Solar Table questions/answers:

    • What is the maintenance cost moving forward? (i.e. if a solar panel breaks, or if a charging station stops working and needs service/repair, how does that work or who covers the cost to fix?)
      • Battery life expectation? Maintenance for battery recycling/repair over long term question came up too..
      • There is a maintenance plan that we could offer, or we could pay an hourly rate for repairs. Brette is working to get an understanding of what other users typically need, but right now there is no budget for repairs or maintenance.
    • Graphics co-branded preferred-but should something change in future years-are they allowed to brand them differently 
      • Looking into this, but gut-check says it probably wouldn’t be a problem if they’re being wrapped.
    • Is there a way to permanently attach them to the ground? 
      • Seats look attached to table, but curious if there’s any ‘live’ pictures of an open box for more detailed information vs the rendering slides
      • Tables can be bolted down - as stated before we need to rely on the universities to do this given their property.
    • Are there lights anywhere? 
      • Black table on campus at night/safety first concern and curios if lights under the canopy or anything exist or are able to be added/included over time
      • Tables will have an LED under the umbrella
    • Refreshed annual timeline for the "Don't Waste" campaign: we are interested in hearing about the ideas Coca-Cola has for “Don't Waste” initiatives throughout the academic year.
      • Working to provide this timeline and build out strategic initiatives with agency to share back with U of I Sustainability team, YAH agency still working on details
    • Clarification on the new "Don't Waste" bins: will Coca-Cola be replacing the old bins with the updated colors? Are there any plans with providing bins to athletics?
      • Yes, the Coca-Cola Company will replace these and take care of the cost (U of I cost 1 time only)
      • We can provide bins to athletics: will need to talk through further on more permanent fixture options together- and would need to be mutually agreed upon and keep with consistent messaging across campus; including athletics approval similar to solar table being placed on campus per board approval
    • Waste audit: there will be an internal meeting for this on 9-30-22, and we are looking to determine a quote. UIUC will then circle back with Coca-Cola about our plans and timeline.
      • Circular solutions can help get a quote together-requested-will keep you posted on timing and other information needed-will share more details as they become available

     

    • Also, we discussed that it may be most beneficial and to be cognizant of everyone’s time, that we look to move the overall call with everyone to monthly or quarterly, and then still have a weekly or bi-weekly appointment with Sustainability committee leaders that can help identify/work together on specifics and then summarize it to the full group and loop in folks as needed (i.e. zero waste event, recycling audit request, etc).

     

    Please reach out for anything else needed and appreciate the continued collaboration!

     

    Go Fighting Illini Football tonight, I-L-L!!!

    Attached Files: 

  8. Compost at Illini Union meeting 9-20-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Compost at Illini Union

    On 9-20-22, representatives from Urbana, Union, iSEE, and F&S gathered to discuss piloting a formal compost program at the Illini Union. Attendees included Scott Tess, Kevin Sanderson, Dave Guth, Meredith Moore, Jennifer Fraterrigo, Stacy Gloss, Daphne Hulse, Dan Hiser, and Pete Varney. Meeting minutes attached.

     

    Attached Files: 

  9. Charging for e-bikes/scooters for students in Residence Halls

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enforcement for Safe Cycling
    Support Mobility Innovation (Fliss)

    In fall 2022, the university has seen a great increase in the number of e-scooters, skateboards, and e-bikes on campus. Sarthak Prasad reached out to University Housing in summer 2022 to discuss whether University Housing has any plans to install any infrastructure for students living in Residence Halls to charge their e-bikes or scooters or skateboards batteries in their dorm rooms.

    Other universities have also seen similar situation on their campuses, however, due to the fire safety risk involved, they also do not allow these in their dorm rooms.

    University Housing confirmed that at this time, they have not received any query from students regarding the charging of their e-bikes, scooters, or skateboards. They also emphasized that the University does not allow these vehicles inside university facilities, including dormitories, (see CAM FO-35: In-Line Skates, Roller Skates, Skateboards, e-Scooters, and Self-Balancing Personal Transportation Devices).

    They also shared the same concern regarding these batteries being fire hazards and referred to the Fire Safety policy (see attached) created in 2020 in collaboration with F&S Safety & Compliance.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Fixing formatting issues on Sitefinity

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recyclopedia

    From: Mahajan, Shreya <shreyam6@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2022 6:59 PM
    To: Fancher, Matthew David <mfancher@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Varney, Peter W <pvarney@illinois.edu>; Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Szal, Dominika Patrycja <dszal2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Recyclopedia Changes

     

    Hi Matt,

     

    I was wondering if you would be able to fix these few formatting issues in the Recyclopedia webpage through Sitefinity:

     

    • Showing 20 items to view on one page, and then 20 more on another page, and so on
    • Inputting a "featured" portion at the top of the page containing 4 items
    • When clicking on an image, instead of it being enlarged it shows information about the item

    Would you be able to help with making these changes?

     

    Thanks,

    Shreya Mahajan

  12. September 23, 2022 Illini Lights Out Data

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    At last Friday's Illini Lights Out event, 2,600 light bulbs were shut off that otherwise would have been left on all weekend, saving $395.58 in energy costs. This also prevented 3.2 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere, the same as greenhouse gas emissions from consuming 358 gallons of gasoline. That's a big impact!

    There are three more Illini Lights Out events of the semester:

    • October 14
    • November 11
    • December 2

    Sign up for one or more of them at this link. Stay up to date with other sustainability-related events and news by signing up for the Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment newsletter here! There are a lot of fun events coming up for campus sustainability month in October, such as a clothing swap, trash pick-up, and plastic reduction challenge. This newsletter will give you details for all of these events and more.

    Illini Lights Out addresses objectives 2.2 and 2.2.2 of the iCAP, or Illinois Climate Action Plan, to increase energy efficiency and reduce building-level energy. Find out about other iCAP objectives here and read the entire iCAP here. 

    Illini Lights Out is a certified Green Event! Click this link to learn how to green-certify your own event.

  13. Are you up to the challenge? Plastic Reduction Challenge - Fall 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Plastic Free Challenge

    So much plastic is thrown away each year that putting it all together creates enough material to circle the Earth four times. Ouch. More than 99 percent of plastics come from chemicals derived from fossil fuels (petrochemicals), and only about 9 percent of plastic is recycled for reuse. Approximately 500,000 straws are thrown away each day in the United States alone. It is estimated that the average person in the United States generates 185 pounds of plastic each year. Have you heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Nearly 600 million pounds of plastic fill our oceans, draining from our fresh bodies of water — which we contribute to here in the Midwest!

    These are frightening statistics! How much of what is listed above do you think comes from single-use plastics, or items that individuals use and throw away every day? Luckily, you came across this challenge! YOU have the power to change these statistics for the better and not be a contributor to the landfills! 

    For the third year, iSEE is hosting a Waste Challenge during Campus Sustainability Month. This year, we are focusing on plastic reduction. Please fill out this form to participate in the Plastic Reduction Challenge. For the challenge, track your waste each day starting October 3 and ending October 30 to understand your daily habits and participate with a fun community! We have made it as easy as possible to track and report what you are throwing away. This challenge will help you learn more about daily waste and provide resources to help during the month and beyond!

    Additional instructions will be sent prior to the challenge, and don’t forget that we are here to help throughout the process. For each week that you participate throughout the month, your name will be entered into raffles for sustainability prize packs! We look forward to your participation this October and don’t forget to invite your friends. Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Reach out to iseesustainabilitychallenge@gmail.com.

  14. Education Team Returned Recommendation Meeting Notes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Education iCAP Team

    The Education iCAP team had a virtual meeting from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM on Friday, September 23rd, to talk about two returned recommendations.

    EDU_006 Sustainability in Study Abroad Recommendation: The Education team decided to move on with this recommendation by broadening it on implementing sustainability across all study abroad curriculum. The team will discuss this further at its upcoming October meeting on 10/03 and draft a new recommendation that will build off the original one. 

    EDU_005 Sustainable Scholars Program Recommendation: The Education team decided to postpone this recommendation and not consider it for now due to not having enough necessary information defined. The team also thinks that it is too early for this recommendation due to the lack of general sustainability education on campus. The team will get final thoughts about this recommendation from all team members at the October meeting. 

    Meeting minutes are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  15. Weekly Update: iSEE interview, Replenishing bike stock, Working Bikes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    All, With the onset of cooler weather, we have seen a decrease in visitor numbers. But that has also correlated with a decrease in available for sale bikes.

    Last week I had an iSEE student come by to interview me and talk all things bikes, so I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for that story. All publicity is good publicity!

    This week I’ll start counting/sorting bikes for the Working Bikes donation—actual date TBD—including moving some of the keeper bikes to the Bike Center to replenish our stock of B-a-Bs and For Sales.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 72
    Sales: $958.25

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $135
    Memberships: 14 for $420
    Tires/tubes: 15 for $70

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  17. 9-26-22 Internal Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    On September 26, UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

    Attendance: David Guth, Daphne Hulse, Marty Kaufmann, Shreya Mahajan, Meredith Moore

    • Point person for athletics? Tom Divan for facilities at State Farm Center and Marty Kaufmann for general discussion.

    • And on our end, who is in charge of this? We are all a part of the same umbrella group:

      • Monday meetings, are part of the U of I campus.

      • Wednesday, is the coke people.

      • F&S and iSEE are seeing this through on the U of I side.

    • We work closely with Tim Knox (zero waste recommendation).

    • Communication-side: DIA will work on that.

    • Tom Divan will know more about State Farm Center, Tim Knox will know more about garbage and recycling component holistically.

    • Does athletics have the temporary bins from Coca-Cola?

      • Marty needs to follow up with this (it might be more through concessions). They have some, but probably not the new ones. Also, the general waste bins did NOT have the blue plastic bags. The bins with Coke DO have the blue plastic bags.

      • The bins need to be landfill and recycling duos. Need to prepare this for the game day.

    • Digital signs for the zero waste game:

      • Don’t Waste, or support the iCAP as a display on the digital sign?

      • 15-30 second announcement once or twice throughout the game, to remind people that it’s important to recycle.

      • Based on prior calls, Marty had gone to marketing and game ops people to hold some time for announcements.

      • Graphic can be used on exterior signage and video board. Could have a couple short PAs. This communications stuff runs through Marty.

    • 8pm game. Engaging student group volunteers. Marty could get them access/pass list.

    • David Guth: Coca-Cola products - Is that going to be in a standard container, or will it be a plastic?

      • Marty: aluminum bottles for beer, plastic bottles for Coke as far as concessions goes. Question for Jake. Marketing funds sometimes go to green shirts for student volunteers. We may have used funds already, but can ask.

      • Shirts that say Illini go green, maybe a Coca-Cola logo?

    • How many volunteers used in the past? Marty says he would think a dozen or two would make a difference. If they could be paired up, more outgoing and comfortable. (12 pairs, for example).

    • Green Quad Day that week. SSC, SSLC, illini union board, Dave will reach out.

    • Giveaways? Caught green handed. Give a prize for recycling.

    • Meredith can prepare a spreadsheet for the volunteer list.

      • Cloud based.

      • Wait to publish list, to make sure they can get a t-shirt and a ticket.

    • Leveraged email blasts, athletic websites, season ticket holders to let them know in advance.

    • A lot of water is purchased. Marty would guess it would be comparable between plastic and aluminum.

      • Can we estimate how many blue bags they get versus waste?

      • Shreya: they do bails, so we don’t split up waste based on bags.

      • Everything is weighed in and weighed out, so we have data. The thing would be to segregate this game’s waste. It’s not a big game, it’s a pre-season game.

    • Could we compare this volume of recycling from the week before vs this November 14 event?

      • Segregate the game waste. It may be possible.

    • Students at football games will go through stands, can this be done at the basketball game?

      • Tom Divan would know. Could be ok, could be a union issue. Staff and extra help does that. Sometimes they do it the next day. Maybe stay away from. Probably ok during the event.

     

     

  18. Update on the SafeTraces project: Astronomy Building

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    Following email was sent by Sterling Laylock regarding the update:

    Hi Sarthak, Yes, we have completed the analysis and are prepared to present our findings for the Astronomy Building.

    We will also be sharing relevant data and insights from additional buildings across other regions of the state as well.

    Proposed Presentation Date

    Thursday, November 10th is our proposed date to present our findings as requested by Morgan White. 

    We also plan to conduct a Design Thinking Session that will include numerous stakeholders as requested by Senator Elgie Sims, Vice-Chair IL, Appropriations II. 

    He is seeking input regarding a strategic allocation of funding for clean indoor air assessments in K-12 and public buildings around the state in order to elevate public outreach and awareness regarding this critical issue.

    Design Thinking Stakeholder Attendees

    Primary stakeholders from outside UIUC-iCAP who have expressed a high level of interest in participating include but will not be limited to:

    • Cook County Facilities and Sustainability

    • Cook County Asset Management

    • Chicago Transit Authority

    • South Suburban Mayor and Managers

    • Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago Asset Management

    • The Obama Foundation Presidential Center

    • Sinai Chicago Health System

    • Indoor Climate Research and Training Center (ICRT)

    • Illinois Growth & Innovation Fund for Social Impact

    Why Are They Interested?

    As we all know, almost all buildings blindly struggle to have enough clean indoor air for us to breathe. 

    Stakeholders need help ending potentially harmful health and financial consequences, so people will feel safe using buildings again.

    In order to do this, we have proposed an Illinois version of the EPA Clean Air In Buildings Program using eligible American Rescue Plan (ARPA), Bipartisan Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction Act Funding. 

    Although ARPA dollars have already been allocated in IL, a significant level of funding is still scheduled to be allocated specifically for ventilation and filtration in the near term.

    sKm0HRDI9AINAKNQCPQCDQCjUAj0Ag0Ao1AI9AIrIlA319YE6hmawQagUagEWgEGoFGoBFoBBqBRqARaAQagU0R+L9h3d1F4i113QAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

    We believe our Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control Project under iCAP can serve as an excellent hub for the many fragmented efforts being attempted across the state as we all seek to address this lingering pandemic and pre-pandemic issue. 

    Now that we're in the recovery period of our post-pandemic journey, it is imperative that we use this opportunity to address these issues. 

    Closing the gap between public health and building science is a key effort that will help us deliver on developing Applied Health Strategies for Climate Adaptation, which is why iCAP exists in the first place.

    Let's set a time this week to discuss our proposed date and time so we plan accordingly for a successful event.

    Thanks, Sterling

  19. Dominika Szal and Daphne Hulse continue the work on the waste survey

    Associated Project(s): 
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi!

     

    I know the information might've been a lot, so here's just a quick summary regarding what is left to do:

    • Reach out to the following universities to ask questions:
      • University of Wisconsin-Madison
      • University of Iowa
      •  University of Minnesota
      • Rutgers
      • University of Maryland
      • Illinois State University (ISU)
      • Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC)
      • Eastern Illinois University (EIU)
      • University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS)
      • Michigan State University
    • See if we can get the contacts for UIS, SIUC, and EIU. I found the contact person for ISU, but I will need to find her email. I'll try to update the file if I can find it.
    •  
    • Set up meetings with Ohio State University and University of Michigan. I've already contacted them before but haven't gotten back to them regarding Zoom scheduling.
    •  
    • Any responses that you get regarding the survey should be filled out in the Big 10 spreadsheet located in this filepath: G:\Recycling & Waste\Big 10 Recycling

    I bolded the main contact that you should email for each respective university. If someone else ends up answering, please make note of their contact info. You can use/adjust the introduction I already have typed up in the Box file labeled "Big 10 Survey" when contacting people. If you want me to do some of the contacting, just let me know.

     

    Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions :)

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2022 15:44
    To: Szal, Dominika Patrycja <dszal2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Hi!

     

    This is my main email – feel free to send over anything about the Big 10 project here!

     

    Daphne

Pages