Aaron Finder, Assistant Director of the Purchasing and Contracts Management office, sent the following email on 2/9/22:

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Hi Meredith,

I have met with NERC a couple time to get a better understanding of NERC and its Government Recycling Demand Champions program. Their Director, Lynn Rubinstein, and I discussed membership levels and the Purchasing and Contracts Management Office will join NERC as a “Supporting Member.”

Through our membership with NERC, we will also have the ability to participate in 4 active committees:

1. Plastic & Paper Recycling Markets
2. Bottle Bill Committee (Charge more for plastic at purchase but receive money back if you recycle)
3. Glass Committee
4. Organics – End Markets (Compost)

There will be limitations on how many participants we can invite to committee meetings or NERC conferences, but Lynn did say I could include at least one committee member (i.e. Tim Stark or Zero Waste Coordinator) if we participate in any event.  

After we become members, we will become a  State Recycling Organization Advocate within the Government Recycling Demand Champions program. This means we will commit to helping publicize the program and promote purchasing of products with post-consumer resin to their members and the public. While we are developing our EPP Guide, this seems to be the most appropriate classification.

I’ll let you know once our membership dues have been paid. I’m also sharing a couple documents Lynn provided.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks,

Aaron M Finder, mba cppb

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For future updates, see State Recycling Organization Advocate NERC project page here. 

Following the completion of iWG assessment for ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program, the recommendation was transmitted to Dr. Jeff Moore, Director of the Beckman Institute. 

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Hello Dr. Moore,

The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) Working Group (iWG) recently reviewed recommendation ZW004 from the Zero Waste iCAP Team (formerly known as a SWATeam) to implement the use of reusable dining containers. The iWG discussed this and recommends that Beckman Institute implement the option for reusable containers, as was done at Bevier Hall and University Dining.  Please see the details included in the attached iWG assessment and Zero-Waste iCAP Team recommendation.  

There are several advocates for reusable containers on campus, and a group of them met with the Zero Waste iCAP Team last July.  The notes are available online at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/zero-waste-icap-team-reusables-dining-meeting-notes-726 and may provide you with some initial insight into this recommendation.  University Housing’s Dining Services is an excellent resource to assist, and the iWG and Zero Waste iCAP Teams are available, as well. 

The Formal iCAP Procedures includes a section on campus unit responsibilities upon receipt of a recommendation, and we respectfully request your initial response to this recommendation by February 4, if possible.  If you have any questions regarding this recommendation, we are happy to arrange a zoom call. 

Sincerely,

Morgan

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See iWG assessment of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program attached.

See iCAP Team Recommendation ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here. 

Jenny Kokini, Managing Director of iSEE, responded to Morgan White with the following email:

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Dear Morgan,

iSEE will be happy to pilot the GreenerOffice Delivery Service offered by Office Depot.

As a matter of fact, Amy, tried to place her first order today to Office Depot using the GreenerOffice Delivery Service. But no such option was given.  So, she went to office depot outside the iBuy and found the page to sign up for.  A form needs to be filled out.  Amy put a service desk request ticket with purchasing to see if this can be implemented at University level given that it references University account.  If Purchasing rejects filling out the form giving campus level GreenerOffice Delivery option, then Amy will fill out the form giving just iSEE the option of the GreenerOffice Delivery Service.

Best wishes,

Jenny

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See iWG assessment and transmittal of ZW003 GreenerOffice Delivery Service Enrollment here.
See iCAP Team Recommendation ZW003 - GreenerOffice Delivery Service Enrollment here.

The iCAP Working Group met on 7-22-21. Attached are the meeting minutes. The agenda was as follows: 

1. Introductions
2. Energy006
   1. Update on Freezer Challenge (Paul Foote) ~4 min
   2. Update on Greener Labs Inventory Toolkit (Morgan White) ~4 min
   3. Energy Team introduce the recommendation (Bill Rose, Andy Stumpf) ~8 min
   4. Group discussion ~10 min
3. Energy007
   1. Overview of Energy Management Plan (Rob Roman) ~6 min
   2. Energy Team introduce the recommendation (Bill Rose, Andy Stumpf) ~8 min
   3. Group discussion ~45 min
      1. Should the scope only utilize existing technology?
      2. Do we want project-specific preliminary costs or prorated estimates based on historical costs?
      3. Does this document need stakeholder engagement?
      4. This is for meeting the 2050 iCAP goal.
      5. Should this document include net-zero space aspects or should it utilize an anticipated growth percentage?
      6. How does deferred maintenance interact with this plan?
      7. What scenarios would we like to see? For example, what if every new building on campus had to be net-zero energy?
4. Overview of vision for iCAP Teams this academic year (Meredith Moore) ~5 min
   1. Enhanced interaction about the iCAP
   2. Standard recommendations from topical teams – encourage small-scale recommendations that will get to more campus units/groups
   3. Active participation at Campus Sustainability Celebration – afternoon of 10/20/21
   4. Increase connections with other groups – Student Affairs, SSLC, etc.

The iCAP Working Group met on 5-14-21. The agenda was as follows: 

• Welcome, introductions
• Thank you graduating seniors: Joey, Jonah, and Creen!
• SSLC – Maria and Joey
• ZW003 GreenerOffice Delivery Service Enrollment 
• ZW002 Join NERC Government Recycling Demand Champions 
  • What does this give to us?
  • What would we be required to do?
  • Who would actually “join” the program? Purchasing, or a campus entity?
  • Need to finalize assessment language

• ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program
• LW003 Certified Green Building Certification 
  • Return? Instead, suggest developing an awards program

• Transportation iCAP Team presentation
• Engagement iCAP Team presentation (presentation attached) 
• Celebration of success ~ thank you!

The Zoom recording is found here. (must download in order to view)