The updates below apply to the week ending Dec. 9, 2018.

Hi Pete and Shawn--

This past week, zero-waste activity focused on a major change to the glove recycling program. Morgan and I spoke with Monica Miller on Friday and heard concerns about the potential for labs (especially research labs) to inadvertently place hazardous materials in the recycling stream. Monica pointed out the complexities of compliance, especially when staff turns over at a lab. The determination was to stop glove recycling at labs. There may be some exceptions that DRS would need to determine on a case-by-case basis.

Morgan is drafting a message to the labs to tell them of the changes, which will take effect Dec. 31. Per Monica's request, I have contacted Serenity Desmond at Noyes and the Chem Annex to ask her to contact Monica about the change. Monica is familiar with ISTC's practices and is comfortable with their continued participation. There is no issue with Dining Services or food venues continuing to participate.

I have contacted the BER students who were trying to find the names of teaching coordinators so that DRS could talk with them under the previous plan. I told them to send the information they have already collected but that they can stop. Morgan and I hope to enlist them to help expand the program in food venues, and possibly to promote RightCycle to restaurants in the community.

Best regards,
Marya Ryan

Topics of discussion: potential to obtaining stormwater credits through best management practices; ideas for monitoring runoff from Lot F23 before and after renovation; updates on funding proposal for Red Oak Raingarden work

Hi everyone, As expected our rate of drilling today slowed when drilling the shale bedrock. The crew was able to drill an additional 25 feet to a depth of 355 feet.

Next week, since Monday will be the last day we have to drill the hole deeper, we have decided to stop coring and just drill straight through so that we can reach the target depth of 450 feet. Tuesday is needed to clean out the borehole so that geophysical logging can be done on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, we will install the geothermal loop and fiber optic cable and grout the hole closed.

Have a great weekend.

Andy

Inner Voices Fall 2018 semesterly report submitted to SSC in December 2018.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-12-11/uis-second-solar-farm-will-make-it-second-none-among-us-universities.html

Hi everyone,

After a morning of thawing out the drilling system from well below freezing temperatures on the weekend, we were able to reach 240 feet. With the top bedrock being <60 feet, it is likely they will reach it on Tuesday.

My colleague Jason Thomason will be at the site on Tuesday while I am out of town.

Best,

Andy

All, Visitor numbers are down, sales are down, builds are ever-creeping up: It must be winter!

We’re only averaging a few actual work-on-my-bike visitors per day now, and I imagine it’ll get even slower the closer we get to winter break. The student staff has responded positively to the shift in shop build protocol away from piecemeal jobs and towards being wholly responsible for the bike, start to finish. I don’t think it has actually positively affected the quality of their work—yet—but they seemed more engaged and invested in the task at hand. 

Not sure the numbers on it but I feel like I’ve had a pretty steady flow of volunteers in for either community service or volunteer memberships. Not too many volunteer duds, as most seem pretty jazzed and impressed with the space/DIY idea.

This week I’ve got a meeting with the GM of VeoRide and separately, a TBP-UIUC meeting, as well as student staff training towards the end of the week.

The numbers:

Visitors: 43

Sales: $144.50

Memberships: 2 for $60

Thanks!

-        Jake Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Manager

SSC convened on December 8, 2018, to select Step 2 projects for funding.

Hi everyone,

We had a successful day 2 after deicing the system. We are now down to 165 feet and heading into the oldest glacial strata. If you are following along with the log I sent, we are about 170 feet on it.

We will start up again Monday morning.

Best,

Andy

Hi everyone,

After day 1 we have drilled to a depth of 90 feet. This is excellent progress with snow much of the day, and not getting in the ground until late morning.

So far, the geology is similar to previous drilling in the area (see log attached).

Cheers,

Andy

On December 6th, 2018 the eGen SWATeam had their 6th and final meeting of the Fall '18 semester. 

On December 6th, 2018, the ECBS SWATeam had their 4th and final meeting of the Fall '18 semester.

Attached are the draft meeting minutes from the iWG meeting that was held on December 6th, 2018. Minutes will be finalized at the upcoming February 7th, 2019 iWG meeting.

Ideas for recommendation related to post-consumer waste reduction, recommendations to continue in Spring semester

SSC funds a Red Bison micro grant, purchasing landscaping equipment.

The objective of this project is to find out the relationship between the position of the LED lighting and plant growth. As a final product this student team will design and create an optimal LED plant pot that is aesthetically pleasing using 3D printing.