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Projects Updates for Reduce Single-Use Plastics

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  1. Cost Question for Water Bottle Stations

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Hi Matt,

     

    It’s nice to virtually meet you - I’m the Sustainability Programs Coordinator at iSEE. I’ve been working with colleagues involved in zero-waste efforts to start drafting a proposal to install hydration stations with water bottle refillers in residence halls on campus. Alma is supportive of this idea and approved the idea of submitting a proposal to the Student Sustainability Committee.

     

    I was wondering if you have any cost information available for the following:

    • Equipment cost of different models of hydration stations
    • Installation costs
    • Filter costs
    • Maintenance costs (both for stations with filters and without)

     

    If you can provide any of that info, that would be a big help. Please let me know if you have questions or need any clarification.

     

    Best,

    Miriam

     

    Hi Miriam,

     

    I’m glad to hear a proposal is in the works for hydration stations with water bottle refillers!

     

    We’ll gather the information you’ve requested.

     

    MATTHEW M. BROWN (he, him, his)

    Director of Facilities for University Housing

     

    Hi Matt,

     

    I wanted to reach out again because we are aiming to submit a proposal by March 20, which is the Spring 2024 deadline for SSC project proposals over $10,000. Do you think it would be possible to gather the cost information before then?

     

    I was also wondering if you could share insight on what a realistic timeline for this project could look like. If we receive SSC grant money at the end of May, would it be feasible to install the hydration stations over the summer?

     

    Thanks and please let me know if you need any other info from me!

     

    Best,

    Miriam

     

    Hi Miriam,

     

    Here is information on these items:

     

    • Equipment cost of different models of hydration stations – Filtered are around $1,500; Without filter around $1,000
    • Installation costs – Estimate $250-$500
    • Filter costs – $65-75 depending on model
    • Maintenance costs (both for stations with filters and without) – minimal beyond changing filters

     

    The installation timeline will vary depending on how many units are obtained and when. Summer is a very busy time of year for us. We would likely prioritize locations for installation if possible, work in as many as we can during summer, and continue steadily installing as needed.

     

    MATTHEW M. BROWN (he, him, his)

  4. 7-24-23 Internal Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Tailgate Recycling
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    Welcome Celebration Recycling

    On July 24, 2023 UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

    Attendance: Bryan Johnson, Pete Varney, Julie Wurth, Steve Breitwieser, Marty Kaufmann, Daphne Hulse

    1. Football
      1. Tailgating
        1. Operation
          1. F&S staples recycling information + map to blue bags
          2. Parking supervisors will hand out the blue bags
          3. 2 dumpsters placed (Lot 31, Lot 32). Blue bags collected here
          4. Grange Grove/entrances to Memorial Stadium: Coca-Cola bins to collect loose bottles and cans
        2. Plan for one of the earlier games (Sep)
        3. Assess how first game went, revise for a later game (Oct/Nov)
        4. Post-season: assess, revise for next season
      2. Communication
        1. DIA gameday emails will include messaging about tailgate recycling
        2. Game script will call out hydration stations
        3. F&S – send campus-wide announcement (as was done for Dump and Run)?
        4. iSEE – newsletter?
      3. To do
        1. F&S scope out where the 2 dumpsters could be placed, confirm with DIA
        2. Determine placement of Coca-Cola bins: DIA recommends the 20 Coca-Cola bins are placed in Grange Grove/on the way into the stadium (portal 1 and 2)
        3. Staff recycling dumpsters to prevent them from becoming trash sites
          1. F&S may have a tent that can be used – check with Safety & Compliance
          2. iSEE does not have a tent
          3. F&S – print banners to hang on dumpsters?
            1. Green dumpster will be marked, ask Shawn Patterson
    2. Welcome Week Lunch
      1. 7 student volunteers gathered + 2 F&S staff
    3. Volunteer / giveaway t-shirts
      1. 200 green volunteer shirts – for Welcome Week, Tailgating, and other small events that may arise
      2. 300 orange giveaway shirts – for Tailgate Recycling
        1. Incentivize tailgaters to drop off their blue recycling bags
    4. Coca-Cola bins
      1. Metal framing is expected to arrive Friday 8/11
      2. Wrap renderings are being finalized, discussing on Wednesday with Jake
    5. iSEE – hydration station map live
      1. https://sustainability.illinois.edu/be-orange-go-green-cut-plastic-use-with-a-refillable-bottle/
      2. iSEE developing a video highlighting campus hydration stations for new student convocation

     

    Attached Files: 

  6. 7-19-23 Sustainability Meeting with key DIA contacts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tailgate Recycling
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste

    Attendance: Jen Fraterrigo, Daphne Hulse, Marty Kaufmann, Zach Acton, Tim Knox

    Agenda

    1. Quick recap of past accomplishments and opportunities (Jen)
    2. Messaging about bringing reusable bottles into facilities (Jen), internal/external
      1. Zach and Marty commented that they are currently working on their game day website, and they will be updating their messaging regarding water bottles during this process/get an updated image for the clear bag policy.
      2. Tim and Zach are pushing for gate attendance to accurately assess water bottles at games (and work on not refusing the bottles that are accepted according to the policy).
    3. Selling reusable bottles at games/events and status of hydration stations (Jen)
      1. The Soybean Association handed out free water bottles at a game. DIA has no issue with this concept. Usually it is easiest to find a sponsor who can help with the purchasing.
      2. Game Day Spirit is the merchandise company.
      3. Huff Hall - DIA controls only Room 100, so any hydration stations would need to be funded by the state-supported facility.
      4. DIA noted that during softball the Monster water stations were a big hit. The DIA would look into where else the Monsters can be used.
    4. Messaging during games (Jen)
      1. It is easiest to provide content to DIA that can be disseminated with a social media focus, or through the game day script itself.
      2. Hydration stations can be highlighted in the script with a customer service/health & safety focus. It is easier to promote things when they fall under these categories.
      3. In the pre-game emails sent to ticketholders, we can also put content in here (we're not sure how many people really read through all the info provided in these emails, but it is another outlet).
        1. There are thousands of tailgaters who come only for the tailgating and will not attend the game, so they won't see this information necessarily.
      4. Zach noted that during game day press releases, DIA can give call outs to new stuff, so this may be another outlet.
    5. Recycling bins at SFC (Daphne)
      1. Recapped the two zero waste games held at State Farm Center, and the need for recycling on the upper concourse.
      2. The recommendation transmitted from the iWG was originally sent to the DIA, but State Farm Center is owned by both the DIA and Student Affairs (Lowa). Jen noted that the recommendation may need to be sent to Lowa, too.
      3. Marty has monthly meetings with Lowa, and will bring this up for conversation with him.
    6. Tailgating plans (Daphne)
      • How many and which home games to focus on
      • Locations for dumpsters where bags will be collected (2 lots?)
        • DIA expects that walking the bags to the collection sites may be too much of an expectation for tailgaters. We'll have to test it and see.
        • Volunteers picking up blue bags left behind in lots may be good.
        • DIA is concerned that the dumpsters will become general trash piles, unless they are otherwise noted.
          • (F&S will be providing banners for the dumpsters, and all dumpsters will be staffed with volunteers to avoid this pitfall)
      • Confirm that parking lot/gate attendants will hand out blue bags
        • Confirmed. The parking lot supervisors will assist with this task.
      • Locations for 20 bins from Coke for unbagged recyclables
        • North side of Grange Grove is predominantly students, and this would be a great area to place the bins.
        • Portal 1 and Portal 2 on the west side of Memorial Stadium are the busiest entrances for games, so the bins in this area is great, too.
      • Connecting with volunteer groups who clean up after games
        • Did not get to this topic in the conversation, was sent as a follow up in email.
      • Incentivizing volunteer participation
        • Did not get to this topic in the conversation, was sent as a follow up in email.

  7. Water bottle map updated to increase clarity on types of filler stations on campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Drinking Water Survey
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    From: Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, July 7, 2023 7:05 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: Updated water filler station map

     

    We ALSO will have it up on our be orange go green page, which still awaits some edits from Jen.

    Thanks.

     

    T

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone

     

    On Jul 6, 2023, at 10:01 AM, Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu> wrote:

    

    Yes, we’ll get this up! It will likely go on the zero waste page, which we are in the process of revamping.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     

    From: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:14 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Updated water filler station map

     

    I think that looks great. I’m assuming F&S will post the map on their website. Can you send the URL?

     

    Thanks!

     

    Jen

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2023 8:27 AM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Updated water filler station map

     

    Please see the attachment for the new map with the incorporated changes.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     

    From: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 10:56 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Updated water filler station map

     

    I agree with Tony about the striped shading. I also suggest we:

    1. change the title to “Locations of Campus Hydration Stations” to be consistent across platforms
    2. change “# of simple…” to “# of stations equipped with glass filler”
    3. change “# of fancy…” to “# of stations equipped with bottle filler”

     

    Thanks,

    Jen

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 9:43 AM
    To: Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>; Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Updated water filler station map

     

    Thanks, Tony, I’ll send this for feedback! Jen – any other changes you think need to be made?

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     

    From: Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 3:26 PM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: Updated water filler station map

     

    I have a problem with the legend. Numbers in the blue and orange dots represent?? Striped shading in the legend box also does not match the striped shading in the map (needs to be lighter).

     

    -- 

    TONY MANCUSO
    Communications and Public Affairs Director
     
    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI)
    1101 W. Peabody, Suite 356 (NSRC) | M/C 635
    Urbana, IL 61801
    217.300.3546 | tmancuso@illinois.edu
    www.sustainability.illinois.edu | cabbi.bio
     

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    Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure. 

     

    Please consider the environment before printing out an email. Thank you!

     

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Date: Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 3:14 PM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Mancuso, Anthony D <tmancuso@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Updated water filler station map

    Hi Jen,

     

    Updated map with photos is attached – thoughts?

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     

    Daphne Hulse (she/her)
    Zero Waste Coordinator
    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    +1 (217) 333-7550 | dlhulse2@illinois.edu
     

    Attached Files: 

  9. 6-28-23 External Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Tailgate Recycling
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Welcome Celebration Recycling

    Attendance: Jake Slager, Shawn Patterson, Thurman Etchison, Jen Fraterrigo, Steve Breitwieser, Travis Tate, Shreya Mahajan, Daphne Hulse

    Coke Updates:

    • Jake is now officially solely focused on colleges and universities
    • RVAT totes
      • Nothing charged for totes or for transportation
      • Chloroplast wrap and cut-outs are about $150 each x 20 = $3,000 (probably does not include transportation)
      • Keep these recycling only
      • 2-3 weeks lead time for wrap
      • Coca-Cola has the rendering for royal blue. Can make tweaks and changes
      • Couple $100 to edit or change the wrap design
      • Daphne’s to-do: Update QR code for new website
      • Make sure bins have clear messaging just for “bottles and cans”
      • These bins would be used for tailgating near to Memorial Stadium, ideally

    Reusable Cups/Bottles

    • Coke is supportive of reusable cups
      • Yeti sponsors for reusable cups
    • Making an effort to push sustainability early in the college processes
      • Encourage use of reusable bottles
      • Use tap water from filler stations
      • Cut back on waste
      • Where there are purchases, ensure that the recycling bin is used
      • Ohio State’s effort with reusable bottles has been mixed success (MyCup program)
      • Indiana did something similar. It was costly and mixed results there, too
        • Jake will get more plugged in on these programs at different schools

    Athletics

      • 100th year of Memorial Stadium
        • Ohio State did something similar with their 100th year
        • Sustainability can be incorporated in here, too

    Engagement opportunities

      • GoGreen - Eric Green - not a large sample size
        • Jake talked with David Watson, who is in contact with Eric
        • Shreya’s experience as a student: without the incentive behind it, it’s not going to encourage students to regularly use it
      • Looking into Rockwire Illinois App to see how we can encourage plastic reduction

    Welcome Week

    • T-shirts
      • Mid July get the quantities for the welcome week
      • Orange shirt may fit well with giveaway items for tailgating

    Bigger Conversations

    • Path forward - Be Orange Go Green, Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste, Don’t Waste
      • How do we differentiate, make it clear to the public what is what?
      • Is tailgating a fighting illini, fighting waste event?

     

  10. Discovered University of Michigan's "Understanding Water Bottle Behavior of Students" Study

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    Drinking Water Survey

    From: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2023 9:38 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: water bottles

     

    Daphne,

     

    I came across this gem of a resource today: It is comprehensive and data-driven. The synthesis and recommendations at the end are excellent! Also, the fact sheet could help us streamline our education messaging.  

     

    https://graham.umich.edu/media/files/campus-course-reports/WaterBottleBehaviorFinalReport.pdf

     

     

    Jennifer Fraterrigo (she/her)

    iSEE Associate Director for Campus Sustainability and
    Professor of Landscape and Ecosystem Ecology
    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

    University of Illinois

    W-423 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.

    Urbana, IL 61801

    jmf@illinois.edu
    ph 217-333-9428

    https://fraterrigolab.nres.illinois.edu/

  11. iSEE recommends filtered filler stations are installed going forward, based on survey results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Drinking Water Survey
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    From: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M jmf@illinois.edu
    Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 11:20 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren dlhulse2@illinois.edu
    Subject: RE: Drinking water behavior survey

     

    HI, Daphne.

     

    This looks good. Given the results (esp. slides 18-20), I will suggest to Morgan that F&S only install filtered filler stations moving forward and also consider replacing spigots with filtered filler stations at some locations.

     

    I will make a similar suggestion to Lowa for residence halls.

     

    Thank you,

    Jen

  14. Expanding the F&S FIR map to auxiliary facilities (McKinley, Housing)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    On 1/24/23 Daphne Hulse sent F&S FIRS inventory information for McKinley and University Housing (attached), and requested the unit to update the existing map with this new information. Additionally, the new map will ideally differentiate between fancy and simple bottle fillers through symbols or colors.

    Attached Files: 

  15. iSEE and F&S initiate an analysis of the drinking water survey

    Associated Project(s): 
    Drinking Water Survey
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Hi Daphne,

     

    Morgan and I spoke yesterday about mining data from the drinking water behavior survey that Meredith led. I started a list of question that I shared with Meredith, but she does not have time to take look into them. Morgan suggested you would be interested in working on this and could recruit Alec McKay to perform the analysis.

     

    The survey and responses can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceArOvxVzrJDNEwuWICC8nY2sBsXaF1NgJp9ZXI9DJf1rAcQ/viewform?usp=sharing

     

    My initial list of questions is below. There may be other items worth examining.

     

    Let me know if you want to discuss further. I’ll reach out shortly about scheduling regular meetings.

     

    Thanks,

    Jen

     

    *********************************

    Hi Meredith,

     

    I think it could be informative to analyze some of the responses to the survey. Specifically, it would be valuable to know if there is any consistency among respondents (in terms of gender identity and role on campus) to better target an information campaign. I made an initial list of questions and responses (below) that warrant a closer look (others could be added). Do you have an intern that could perform an analysis?

    -         Agree or strongly agree to the statement: “Bottled water is my primary source of drinkable water.”

    -         4 or 5 to the question: “To what degree do you prefer one type of water over another? Tap vs filtered” or “tap vs bottled” or “Filtered vs bottled”

    -         4 or 5 to “Bottled water is safer to drink than tap water.”

    -         4 or 5 to “Filtered tap water is safer to drink than tap water.“

    -         4 or 5 to “One single-use bottle of water does not yield a significant environmental impact.“

     

     

     

     

    Jennifer Fraterrigo (she/her)

    iSEE Associate Director for Campus Sustainability and
    Professor of Landscape and Ecosystem Ecology
    Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

    University of Illinois

    W-423 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.

    Urbana, IL 61801

  18. Take the Drinking Water Survey!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Drinking Water Survey
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Take the survey here!

    This survey is the result of a recommendation by the Zero Waste iCAP Team and is intended to gain a better understanding of drinking water behavior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    The survey is broken into eight sections. Section one asks demographic questions, sections two through seven ask you to respond to statements on a 1-5 scale, and the last section asks open ended questions. Please answer as truthfully as possible. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes. 

    Participants will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Illini Bookstore gift card!

    To get involved or share your ideas, please contact sustainability@illinois.edu.  

  20. Water bottle filling stations in state-supported facilities

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Per the request of Morgan White on 6/28/22, Building Service Workers under F&S Transportation and Building Services completed an inventory of water bottle filling stations in state-supported facilities on 8/11/22. Attached is the data. This was based on a recommendation from the iCAP Zero Waste Team to better understand the infrastructure of water bottle filling stations on campus. If iSEE/F&S can identify where stations are lacking, more stations could be added. The purpose of the inventory is to decrease single-use plastic water bottle use on campus.

    Attached Files: 

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