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  1. Field to Fuel-Biomass

    Associated Project(s): 
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This project involves purchasing and installing a biomass boiler at the Energy Farm, in order to heat a research greenhouse using Miscanthus that is grown on the Energy Farm. The hope for the project is that a successful pilot will pave the way toward expanded use of biomass heating on our campus in order to reduce our campus greenhouse gas emissions.

    Attached Files: 

  2. Krannert Art Museum LED Lamp Retrofit

    Associated Project(s): 
    Krannert Art Museum LEDs
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The Krannert Art Museum approached the Student Sustainability Committee with an immediate need to improve their lighting profile. This specific LED Lamp Retrofit project would switch from incandescent lamps to LED lamps in the Noel Gallery and the East Galleries. Given its variety of available lamps, its efficiency values, and its non-UV characteristics, LED lamps are an ideal solution for these galleries at Krannert Art Museum.

    Attached Files: 

  3. Nitrile Glove Recycling

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

    The Nitrile Glove Recycling Program is an expansion of a preliminary pilot program performed by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC). The initial pilot program collected gloves used in the laboratory setting in one central location. Gloves were collected from individual ISTC laboratories once a week into a larger collection container, and were stockpiled until there was sufficient volume to ship to the supplier. This project expands the pilot test to several more buildings on campus as a stepping stone to eventually serving the entire campus.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Recycling on the Quad

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recycling for the Quad
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The intent of this project is to improve the waste process in and around the Quad. The first step will be merging the existing 40 stand-alone refuse containers with twenty new recycling bins to create a total of 30 combined waste/recycling stations. All containers will be cleaned, painted, and color-coded to clearly indicate that one bin is for recycling and one is only for landfill-directed refuse. In addition to the expanded bin options, signage will be placed in the buildings on the Quad to launch the new standards and clarify what can be recycled. To measure the impact from this project, waste audits will be conducted before and after the proposed changes.

    Attached Files: 

  5. SECS Re_home landscaping

    Associated Project(s): 
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)
    Illinois Solar Decathlon
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    In 2011, students at faculty from the University of Illinois develop the Re_Home for the Solar Decathlon Competition. As a result of a new landscaping and beautification plan, the Re_Home has found a permanent place on campus. In maintaining a “sustainability ideology”, the landscaping plans for this project are geared toward sustainability with the use of native, low maintenance plants as well as vegetables, edible herbs, and fruit trees. The Re_Home is an exemplary embodiment of sustainability and its permanent home will serve as a showcase in sustainability education.

    Attached Files: 

  6. Sheltered Bicycle Parking

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sheltered Bike Parking at CLSL
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Providing safe and convenient locations for bicycle parking is one of the key ways the University can support increased bicycle ridership and greener commuting. The goal of this project is to construct a secure, sheltered bicycle parking area for students, faculty, and staff at the Chemical and Life Sciences Building and the Roger Adams Laboratory. These parking structures are modeled after the sheltered bicycle parking currently located at the Ikenberry Commons.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Composites in Aviation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Emissions from Transportation
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Student Aircraft Builders (SAB) is an organization dedicated to teaching students from all across campus how to work together as a team to successfully construct a flyable airplane. The goal of the Composites in Aviation project has two phases. The first phase constructs a quarter scale glider powered by alternative energy. The second phase graduates from a model to a full-sized glider. Through the use of composite materials and an innovate design from an aerospace engineer, the finished glider will exemplify the future of more fuel-efficient long-range flight.

    Attached Files: 

  8. Sustainable Agriculture Food System Tomato Processing

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Agricultural Food System
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Attached Files: 

  9. Solar Powered Cookstoves Funding Letter

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

    The Solar Powered Cook Stoves project is an innovative effort to implement cook stoves powered by solar energy. The stoves associated with this project will utilize innovative new technology to overcome some of the key limitations of current solar cooking. Specifically, they will offer high-temperature cooking and grilling while in use while also storing energy for cooking at night or during other periods of reduced sunlight. Once completed, these stoves will provide a clean source for cooking and grilling that does not use fire, gas, wood, or charcoal.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Zero Waste Plan has been drafted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Establish a Net Zero Waste Plan and Policy

    A Zero Waste Plan has been drafted for the Urbana-Champaign campus at the Univeristy of Illinois.  The plan is currently being reviewed by the Purchasing and Waste SWATeam.  Once agreement is reached, the document will be forwarded to the Sustainability Working Group for consideration of implementation.

  11. Game Day Recycling Challenge

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Gameday Challenge Fall 2014
    Increase Recycling Rates
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Reduce Foodwaste

    The University is participating in its first Game Day Recycling Challenge at the October 25th homecoming game against the University of Minnesota.  For the event the usual landfill bins will be replaced with 3-bin stations to separate landfill, recycling, and compost.  The materials collected will be weighed, the diversion rate calculated, and then entered into a friendly national competition.  To volunteer for this event, please email Bart Bartels at bbartel@illinois.edu.  

  12. examples from Ohio State

    Associated Project(s): 
    Decrease Wasteful Practices through Behavior Change

    Here are the Zero Waste Event links from Ohio State University.  They seem to be setting the standard for such events, especially when it comes to sporting events.  The first link is for events in general.  Anyone organizing a campus event can request assistance to achieve zero-waste.  Some locations require additional fees but many do not.  They rely heavily on the organizers to push the educational aspects. Facilities just supplies the bins and takes care of the logistics.

    http://footprint.osu.edu/zero-waste-event-service/

    This second link focuses on the athletic events at OSU.  They have managed to reach a waste diversion rate over 90%.  We could do this as well.  Reduction in landfill costs help fund the program.  They sure make it look easy.

    http://footprint.osu.edu/zero-waste-at-ohio-stadium-faq.html

  13. Madhu Khanna to lead efforts for regional climate action plan

    Associated Project(s): 
    Contribute to Regional Climate Action Plans

    Hi Madhu,

    Thanks for being willing to guide the discussion about a regional collaboration for sustainability efforts.  I had a chance to talk with Al Stratman about this, and he agrees that it is appropriate for iSEE to lead this discussion on behalf of the university.  Al asked that I remain on the team as his representative, so please continue to include me in the meetings.

    I’ve attached the (unedited) notes I took during our meeting at the end of May.  Also, Stephanie and I will investigate the impacts of expanding the iCAP Portal to include community/county sustainability efforts.  Please let me know if you need any additional information.

    Thank you,

    Morgan

    ============================

    Ms. Morgan B. Johnston

    Associate Director of Sustainability, F&S

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Facilities & Services, 141 PPSB, MC-800

    1501 S. Oak, Champaign, IL 61820

    217-333-2668

    http://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Khanna, Madhu
    Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2014 12:34 PM
    To: Tess, Scott; Johnston, Morgan B; Andrew Levy; Jane Sullivan
    Cc: Evan DeLucia
    Subject: RE: MCAP meeting

    Dear All

    It was great meeting you yesterday and learning about the sustainability efforts and challenges for the cities. Thanks to Morgan for arranging it.   iSEE stands ready to facilitate and coordinate these efforts as we move forward. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

    Best wishes

    Madhu

    Madhu Khanna, Professor

    Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics/Energy Biosciences Institute Editor, American Journal of Agricultural Economics Associate Director, Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 1301, W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801

    http://ace.illinois.edu/directory/madhu-khanna

    phone: 217-333-5176; fax: 217-333-5538

     

     

  17. Transition to Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Under the leadership of Professor Evan DeLucia, the Center for a Sustainable Environment is transitioning to the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE).  The News-Gazette wrote a great article covering the transition and the goals of the new organization (see file).

    Attached Files: 

  18. Director Announced: Professor Evan DeLucia

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    We are pleased to inform you that Prof. Evan DeLucia will become the first director of the Center for a Sustainable Environment, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

    Prof. DeLucia brings a record of exceptional scholarship and a wealth of administrative experience to the new center. The G. William Arends Professor of Biology and the director of the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Prof. DeLucia joined the faculty at Illinois in 1986. He was the founding director of the program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and has served as the head of the department of Plant Biology.

    Illinois is uniquely poised to address the issue of environmental sustainability - and the Center for a Sustainable Environment will enhance our institutional capacity to do so. Prof. DeLucia will work with the many individuals, teams, and campus organizations involved in sustainability work on our campus to create the institutional structure to increase our impact and raise our profile as a leader in this area. These efforts will build on the campus strengths in sustainability, energy, and the environment that were so clearly identified in the Visioning Future Excellence process.

    Prof. DeLucia's research interests strongly align with the vision for the Center. He studies the responses of forest and agro-ecosystems to elevated carbon dioxide and other elements of global change. He uses ecological, physiological and genomic approaches to understand how global change affects the carbon cycle and the trophic dynamics between plants and insects. His work has been well-funded by both government and industry.

    Prof. DeLucia is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a member of multiple other professional societies. He received a B.A. from Bennington College, an M.F.S. in forest ecology from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in plant ecology and physiology from Duke University.

    Please join us in welcoming Prof. Delucia to this new role.

  19. Archived web info - CSE Local Foods

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    eatlocal.png


    EATING LOCAL MEANS CHOOSING FOODS THAT ARE GROWN WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS OF
    WHERE YOU CONSUME IT.


    IT’S JUST BETTER!
    Looks, Tastes, and Nutritionally better because it is in season always and picked at ripeness. It even has a longer shelf life.

    SUPPORTS LOCAL FARMERS & ECONOMY!
    $$$ goes through fewer hands and tends to get to the people who grew it. At times by as much as 90% if purchased directly from local farmers.

    HELPS SAVE THE PLANET!
    Reduces the carbon footprint of our foods by using:
    -LESS gas for transportation
    -LESS electricity for refrigeration
    -NO waste from packaging
    The average grocery store's produce travels nearly 1,500 miles between the farm where it was grown and your refrigerator.

    (source: https://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/whybuylocal/) 

     

  20. Archived web info - CSE Housing & Dining

    Associated Project(s): 
    Center for a Sustainable Environment (CSE) [ARCHIVED]

    Housing & Dining

    The Dining Services Division of University Housing has made great strides in sustainable practices.  They purchase local foods, have implemented trayless dining, and donate 100% of its waste vegetable oil to the biodiesel project. In addition, they have recently been recognized for sustainable cleaning practices. Their newest facility, the Student Dining and Residential Programs building, is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.

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