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  1. Archive Title + Heirarchy

    Changed the title name from "Single Use Plastics in Vending Machines" to "Reduce Single Use Plastics in Vending Machines". We also moved the project under "Reusable Containers".

  2. 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.

  4. E-Waste Handling on Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)

    Below is a response to the UIUC Science Policy RSO's request for more information on how UIUC manages e-waste.

    Hello Grant. Your email inquiry was forwarded to me, since I was involved in ISTC’s past projects related to sustainable electronics and electronic waste, as part of my role working on zero waste issues in the ISTC Technical Assistance Program. From my experience on those projects, I understand that unwanted or non-functioning electronics enter in the University’s surplus property system (commonly referred to as “Surplus,” and part of the overall university property accounting system), so they may be redistributed on campus (if they’re still functional). Note that any functioning computer is required to be “scrubbed” of data before transfer for possible redistribution. Anything not redistributed within the University goes to the State of Illinois’s Central Management Services (CMS) department, where the items might be redistributed to other state agencies or to the public via an auction system called iBid. There used to be a program in place called “Computers for Schools” through which functioning electronics were available to schools at no or minimal cost for reuse within IL schools, but to my knowledge, that program ended several years ago and I’m not sure if it has ever been  revived.

     

    At any rate, after items have gone through this process for potential redistribution, the State of IL contracts with an electronics recycler to responsibly manage the non-functional and remaining functional devices.

     

    I checked the iCAP portal, and it seems as if this all is still the general procedure, though some of the information on that iCAP page is old and potentially out of date (e.g. the reference to the “Computers for Schools” program—see https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/address-electronic-waste-e-waste. I also checked the UI Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS) website regarding disposal of unneeded equipment to see if my understanding of electronics disposal procedures are still current—see https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/dispose-of-unneeded-equipment and https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/remove-data-from-electronic-devices, which instruct staff how to dispose of unwanted equipment. See https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/transfer-equipment-to-another-unit for an overview of how items might be transferred from one University unit to another through the property accounting system; a more direct explanation of the “Surplus” warehouse is available at https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/equipment-management/surplus-warehouse-operations/.  

     

    At the time the ISTC electronics-related projects I worked on were active, the electronics recycler that the State of IL worked with was Secure Processors in Flora, IL. Checking the IL CMS website, it looks as if that is still true, but additionally New Star also recycles some of the UI system electronics—see https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/agency/recycling/Pages/E-Cycle.aspx. Secure Processors used to be R2 certified, though it doesn’t look as if they currently are—see https://sustainableelectronics.org/r2/ for more information on the R2 standard and https://sustainableelectronics.org/find-an-r2-certified-facility/ for the ability to search for certified electronics processors in IL and other regions. It’s possible that the CMS page referenced above, which I just found through a Google search, is out of date. There are contacts listed on that page who should be able to tell you if the information there is still accurate. You can also check out the Secure Processors website at https://www.secureprocessors.org/ and the New Star website at https://www.newstarservices.org/work/e-recycling/?doing_wp_cron=1633452094.7661879062652587890625 to learn more about their processes/practices. New Star appears to incorporate vocational training as part of their electronics recycling operation.

     

    I have copied some individuals who are directly involved in campus sustainability and waste management, who might clarify whether the procedure I’ve outlined is still accurate, and can provide accurate information about related campus efforts to divert or reduce electronic waste and other forms of waste. Morgan White is Associate Director for Facilities & Services (F&S), Sustainability, and can provide insight into all campus initiatives and policies that pertain to sustainability.  Meredith Moore is the Sustainability Programs Manager for the Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE) and along with Morgan, can provide information about the Illinois Climate Action Plan, campus sustainability month activities, and the various campus Sustainability Working Advisory Teams (SWAT; https://sustainability.illinois.edu/campus-sustainability/icap/swateams/), including the Zero Waste SWAT. Sydney Trimble is a student member of that Zero Waste SWATeam, and she also works as a waste and recycling intern for F&S. See https://fs.illinois.edu/services/waste-management-and-recycling for more information on waste and recycling on campus; for future reference, you can direct questions on campus waste management issues to recycling@illinois.edu.

     

    I’m a bit out of the loop in terms of current researchers on campus who work on ewaste issues, since the ISTC Technical Assistance Program is not focused on sustainability for the UI campus, but instead assists clients through the state of IL and beyond. Meredith Moore can probably assist you in identifying campus researchers, or get you in touch with other contacts on campus who could assist you in this regard. I can tell you that my ISTC colleague, Jennifer Martin, works on issues related to reuse and recycling of renewable energy technology—see her contact info at https://directory.illinois.edu/detail?userId=jm33@illinois.edu&widgetId=47 if you’re interested in learning more about that.

     

    I hope this helps! Best wishes,

    Joy

     

    JOY SCROGUM
    Assistant Scientist, Sustainability
    LEED Green Associate

    Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP; formerly ISSP-CSP)
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Prairie Research Institute

    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC)

    217.333.8948 | jscrogum at illinois.edu
    www.istc.illinois.edu | www. prairie.illinois.edu

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyscrogum/
     
    https://webtools.illinois.edu/webservices/js/ds/signature_logo.png

  5. Adding Projects

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Upon Sarthak Prasad's request to give project addition privileges to Liz Mendoza-Hernandez, Morgan White laid out a process to add projects upon Liz's request.

    1. Email Morgan, Meredith, and Sarthak with a strong project description, and the proposed new iCAP Project location in the hierarchy 

    2. Meredith and/or Morgan will confirm the placement in the hierarchy. 

    3. Sarthak will add a blank private project as a placeholder and email Liz. 

    4. Liz or anyone in the SSC with access with fill in the project information and change it to public. 

  7. Weekly Update: Bike Center tours; Green Quad Day

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Starting to slow down a bit. This week’ll be absolutely perfect riding weather: cool but not cold. Still get folks asking for bikes every day—yet to get any 4’ 11” folks or 6’ 3” racing folks for the tall and small bikes we have, though. We’ve got 3 more that should be for sale this week sometime. Soon, we’ll be having the “it’s too cold to ride” conversation with people. No bad weather, just bad gear and so on.

    Had a class come by on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to tour the Bike Center and I talked about our operations, history of CBC, and the like. Always nice to get people into our space who might not otherwise have reason to visit.

    Last week I talked with Parking about the remainder of the bikes at the warehouse. I’ll make a trip out there this week to see if there’s anything worth our trouble.

    A gentleman came in looking for a small pin for his vintage brake levers and was able to find a workable solution in our used parts bins. He generously donated $10 for his 10 minutes of digging while bemoaning that regular bike shops could only offer to replace the brake levers outright. A happy customer who understands and appreciates our value and services—always a good interaction!

    This Thursday is the Green Quad Day event, from 10  - 4p. Will be good to get our name out there with other environmental/sustainability efforts on campus.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 64
    Sales: $1,052.60
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $440
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 10 for $76

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  8. Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month in October!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Campus Sustainability Month

    iSEE invites you to a series of events throughout October to increase sustainability in our campus community. Take part in the Waste Reduction Challenge, join us for Green Quad Day (Oct. 7), or check out the first Student Sustainability Summit Research Symposium (Oct. 26)! And don’t miss the Campus Sustainability Celebration on Oct. 20. Find all the events on iSEE’s Sustainability Month Calendar!

    October 1–31

    Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month in October!

  9. iSEE Requests 'Campus as a Living Lab' Seed Fund Proposals; Deadline Nov. 9

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE funding for Campus as a Living Lab (CALL)

    iSEE is calling for proposals to support interdisciplinary research projects that tie directly to Illinois Climate Action Plan objectives. The funding enables development of preliminary data and collaborations with campus sustainability sites and projects; and preparation of external funding proposals through the Institute. Deadline Nov. 9.

     

    iSEE Requests 'Campus as a Living Lab' Seed Fund Proposals; Deadline Nov. 9

  10. Clarification for SSC Composting Project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Avery Maloto reached out to Meredith Moore to ask "I have written down that 'composting' is one of the projects you wanted for the SCC poster for the iSEE table at Green Quad Day. Would this project fall under "Vermicompost" or another project?" Meredith explained that vermicomposting is a different project and provided Avery with some NSRC Composting photos that can be found in the attached link.

    https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/compost-national-soybean-research-center-nsrc

  11. 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

     

  12. Portal Project Proposition

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build a Culture of Sustainability

    Hi Morgan,

     

    I have another Portal project proposition. For the Sustainability/Arts work, what do you think about a project on the Engagement page under “Build a Culture of Sustainability” called “Sustainability Art Displays”?

    Thanks!

    Meredith

    --------------------------------------------
    “There are a lot of dreamers – dreaming is very important, but it’s really the dreamer and the doer. You’ve got to be the doer.” –Will Steger  

    MEREDITH MOORE
    Sustainability Programs Manager 

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
    1101 W Peabody Drive (Suite 382), Urbana, IL, 61801
    217.333.0119 | mkm0078 at illinois.edu
    www.sustainability.illinois.edu
     
    signature_2127019860

  13. The 2021 Waste Reduction Challenge starts on 10/4!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Campus Sustainability Month

    The second iSEE Waste Reduction Challenge starts on October 4! 

    The average individual generates around 6 pounds of waste per day, and about 40% of all waste is in the form of food. Each person disposes of approximately a ton of waste per year. Yikes!

    Thank you for taking the first step to be more conscious of your personal waste output. Your actions matter. You are helping to combat climate change and to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills. We have the power to make a change.

    How to participate

    Sign up today using this form >>>

    By registering to participate, you will receive a weekly grid to fill out with the items that you throw in the garbage each day; for example, food, single-use disposable items, paper, and plastics. A point system will be used for you to keep track of your waste. The goal is to earn as few points as possible. There is also the opportunity to subtract points for positive actions. These actions will result in a subtraction from your weekly total.

    At the end of each week, upload your grid and reflection to the weekly Google Form.

    Click here for more information! 

    Attached Files: 

  14. Resilience iCAP Team September Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team Recommendations Summary

    On Friday, September 24th the Resilience iCAP Team had their first meeting of the semester. The team reviewed the Resilience Charge Letter, discussed updates on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, Biodiversity Plan, and the Assessment of Progress. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Student Partner Meeting for EJ Plan

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Environmental Justice Plan

    Student Meeting: Design for America Team Meeting  10/1/2021

    Present: Pooja Tetali, Ananya Barman, Kosh Raghavarapu, Anisha Narain, Meredith Moore, Eric Greene, Stacy Gloss

    About DFA:

    Design for America is national nonprofit and a campus RSO that meets on Sundays to talk about Design Thinking principals. This is one DFA Team out of 5 Teams part of the RSO.  There are 30-ish people w/ a 6 person exec board locally. Exec board helps keep track and teaches design thinking. Interviewing skills. Ideation.  One project was: Racism Un-taught, working with professor to interview RSOs about a standard/playbook/rule book to minimize racism within RSOs. Another was working with Illinois Department of Health App for breastfeeding people. Projects vary between technical and research.

    This team meets once a week. They are happy to meet once a week or every 2 weeks. They have a couple hours to respond to emails and put together documents, so a few hours a week each. DFA projects typically last 1 year, academic year through May.

    The topics they are interested in are environmental racism, campus/community relations, campus/university effect/impact on communities, environmental science, collection action & collaboration. Two members worked on transportation system mapping in US previously and had been connected to iCAP goals / campus transportation goals.

    Potential Project Opportunities:

    Initial Research for Environmental Justice Planning.

    The initial research will help to inform the planning that goes into developing an Environmental Justice Plan. The project will eventually lead to a road map or planning document to guide the campus EJP.

    1. Funding for EJPlans and Implementation
    2. What Universities have Environmental Justice Plans?
    3. What community EJP’s exist that would be a resource or model for a campus-lead EJP?
    4. What Universities initiated Environmental Justice Plans in or for their communities? What are or were the barriers and opportunities for collaboration with their communities?

    Green Infrastructure Mapping:

    1. Green infrastructure mapping as part of the Green Infrastructure Resilience Goal

    Tasks:

    Schedule a follow-up meeting and communicate via email between meetings. Students will need to select the project they are interested in and report how they feel they can best contribute to the project(s).

  16. Zero Waste iCAP Team First Meeting of FA21 Semester

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Establish a Net Zero Waste Plan and Policy

    On Friday, October 1 the Zero Waste iCAP Team had their first meeting of the semester! The team discussed progress on last year's recommendations, zero waste initiatives from F&S, and the iCAP Objective Assessment for Zero Waste. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  18. SSC Semesterly Report: Preventing Window Strike Bird Fatalities with Energy Efficient Window Decals

    Associated Project(s): 
    Preventing window-strike bird fatalities with energy efficient window decals
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    SSC received semester report for Spring 2021 for Preventing Window Strike Bird Fatalities with Energy Efficient Window Decals on 9/9/2021. Please see attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  19. SSC Semesterly: Diversion of Non-Recyclable Plastic using Pyrolysis Process to Produce Fuels for Camps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Diversion of Non-Recyclable Plastic using Pyrolysis Process to Produce Fuels for Campus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    SSC received semester report for Spring 2021 for Diversion of Non-Recyclable Plastic using Pyrolysis Process to Produce Fuels for Camps project on 9/3/2021. Please see attached. 

    Attached Files: 

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