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- Associated Project(s):
Edu008 Sustainability in Study Abroad - Submitted
Associated Project(s):The Education iCAP Team submitted the Edu008 Sustainability in Study Abroad recommendation to the iWG on 12/6/22. The recommendation (attached) states:
The Illinois Abroad Council Steering Committee (IACSC) with the Environmental Sustainability and Study Abroad Working Group will charge the Directors of each college’s study abroad program with assigning a member to this study abroad sustainability working group. Further, each Director should be charged to meet with the Environmental Sustainability and Study Abroad Working Group once per semester, at minimum. Through involvement in this working group, these representatives will gain the background needed to develop a collaborative effort to address climate-related impacts associated with study abroad. This would elicit a set of best practices and policy for all college-based international programs office in the areas of program orientation, re-entry programming, program policies regarding travel, community engagement, short term faculty led programming, environmental awareness and education. Continued support from iSEE and ongoing consultation with iSEE will be appreciated. As the program evolves, public updates on the iCAP portal will be of benefit to all stakeholders.
Attached Files:Res004 Student Support for Coordinated Rainwater Management Plan - Submitted
Associated Project(s):The Resilience iCAP Team submitted the attached recommendation Res004 Student Support for Coordinated Rainwater Management Plan to the iWG on 12/2/22. The recommendation states:
Provide internship funding support for developing a coordinated rainwater management plan, focusing on the local urbanized areas of Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, and campus communities. This plan should contribute to the green infrastructure on campus as student interns research and use campus resources as a model for the stormwater management systems for the cities. Lisa Merrifield at U of I Extension will recruit, work with, and advise the student intern for this project. Ideal candidates will be in a master’s degree program and have an interest in community green infrastructure and stormwater management planning.
EV Study
Associated Project(s):The attached document is a research report on a parking study done in order to develop a policy for the installation of EV charging stations.
Attached Files:Weekly Update (week of November 28): Kids bike give away, for-sale bikes
Associated Project(s):All, [Ed. note: Apologies for getting this in late.] We’ve finalized our Kid’s Bike Giveaway date/time with the Bike Project and have been working through our supply of donated bikes. Serendipitously we got nearly a half dozen kids bikes donated last week, even before we put the word out on the giveaway event.
This week we kept working through that supply. I was out on Tuesday/Wednesday but visits have been lower since the cooler weather hit.
While we’re working on the kids bikes we’ve also been able to fix up a few for-sale bikes, sitting at about 6 done and ready to go. Still have a large supply at the warehouse, which I’ll have more time to tackle after the 17th (date of the Kids Bike Event).
Next week I’ll move over the finished kids bike to Urbana as we’re running out of space for them here.
The numbers:
Visitors: 25
Sales: $185.50
Memberships: 2 for $60
Misc. parts: 19 for $95.50Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Coordinator12-5-22 Internal Meeting
Associated Project(s):On December 5, UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:
Agenda:
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Walk through campaign proposal slides as an internal group.
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Brainstorm a vision for spring 2023.
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Particular “activations” to focus on.
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Tie into existing or anticipated initiatives for spring 2023:
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Big Ten basketball game recycling event — February/March.
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ISTC waste audit — March.
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Earth Month — April.
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Earth Day — April 22.
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Housing/F&S Dump & Run — May.
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Bryan Johnson is the contact for Housing.
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iSEE initiatives for spring?
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Clean up events — twice a semester, at most (turnout, weather)
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Plug into social:
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iSEE.
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F&S.
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Housing.
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Union.
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Athletics.
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Basketball recycling events:
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Can we track attendance data?
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Attendance for 11/14 game?
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Reusable cups:
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Small group to strategize and gather information.
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Residence Hall orientation:
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Alternative route to new student orientation.
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Gretchen - New Student Orientation.
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Illinois App:
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Campus Calendar - integrated.
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Public Affairs is in charge of it.
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Man on the street:
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Steve or Travis CR&C.
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Pollinator Signage Final Report
Associated Project(s):Several students apart of the Sustainability Living-Learning Community attended the 2017 AASHE Student Summit and participated in a Bee Campus USA workshop. These students decided that the University should obtain Bee Campus USA Certification for UIUC. Displaying signage focused on pollinator conservation was one of the requirements for this certification. Four signs were installed, and since their installment UIUC is a part of Bee Campus USA.
Attached is the full report.
Attached Files:December 2, 2022 Illini Lights Out Data
Associated Project(s):At last Friday's Illini Lights Out event, 4,204 light bulbs were shut off that otherwise would have been left on all weekend, saving $639.62 in energy costs. This also prevented 5.14 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from the average car driving 12,757 miles. That's a huge impact!
Friday was the semester's last Illini Lights Out event, but there will be five more events in the spring. Stay up to date with the dates of these events and other sustainability-related events and news by signing up for the Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) newsletter here.
Illini Lights Out addresses objectives 2.2 and 2.2.2 of the iCAP, or Illinois Climate Action Plan, to increase energy efficiency and reduce building-level energy. Find out about other iCAP objectives here and read the entire iCAP here.
Illini Lights Out is a certified Green Event! Click this link to learn how to green-certify your own event.
Transportation iCAP Team Meeting 12/2/22
Associated Project(s):The transportation iCAP team met on Friday, December 2nd at 3:00 P.M. CST to discuss electric vehicle charging, and updates on bike shelter procurement for the university. Due to a software error, the meeting minutes were not recorded.
Link to meeting recording: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_u3g573fb
Energy iCAP Team Meeting 12/2/22
Associated Project(s):The Energy iCAP Team met on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 to discuss potential recommendations on standards for new buildings and developing a committee of energy researchers to share knowledge across campus.
New iSEE Green Certifications
Associated Project(s):Congratulations to the Office of the Chancellor for Special Events, OVCRI, Pi Phi, and the Office of Academic Programs (College of ACES) for their recent green certifications!
Green Event:
Office of the Chancellor for Special Events Il v. Monmouth Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022
Office of the Chancellor for Special Events IL v. Lindenwood Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022
Office of the Chancellor for Special Events IL v. Syracuse Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. Penn State Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v Alabama L&M Men's Basketball, Certified November 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. Bethane-Cookman, Certified November 2022
OVCRI Research Development Day 2022, Certified December 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. v. WIsconsin Men's basketball game, Certified December 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. vs. Michigan State Men's Basketball, Certified December 2022
Chancellor's Office for Special Events Il. vs. Indiana Men's Basketball, Certified December 2022
Green Chapter: Pi Beta Phi, Silver, Recertified November 2022
Green Office: Office of Academic Programs (College of ACES), Silver, Certified November 2022
Keep up the great work!
iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - December 2, 2022
Associated Project(s):Done:
- Objectives page
- Start metrics collapsed
Discussion:
- Adding Fliss project
- Adding green food truck project
- Objectives page
- Make it easier to find a specific chapter
TODOs:
- Discussion of archiving projects
- Search: can it be less rigid?
- Main nav: move focus to search box when Search is clicked
- Objectives page:
- Add "jump to chapter" option:
- Dropdown list for mobile, theme icons for larger screens
- Reporting Progress icon jumps to chapter 9
- Don't show Funding icon
- Add "jump to chapter" option:
- Fancy project page - make images in image banner clickable (go directly to image)
- Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
- Collections page:
- Add image upload option
- Discuss metrics
- Metrics with lots of data
- Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
- Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
- Calculated Metrics on Dev site
- Use "Take Action" project to encourage students to get involved with sustainability (link from homepage?)
- Track down and resolve informational message on full listing page for Project Updates by Key Objective (see, e.g. Projects Updates for key objective: 1.0 iCAP 2020 Illinois Climate Action Plan)
- Why is the Achieve Zero Waste project map page not loading?
- Objectives page
Expanding inventory to auxiliary facilities
Associated Project(s):Per the request of Morgan on 12/2/22, Daphne Hulse began the task of requesting inventories from auxiliary facilities: Illini Union, Campus Recreation, McKinley, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, and University Housing.
Undergraduate Library rehomes 6 3-bins to other facilities on campus
Associated Project(s):The Undergraduate Library rehomed 6 3-bins at the onset of redevelopment:
- Armory took 4 (P10E62260 second floor east side right out of the elevator, P10E62264 third floor southside center outside restroom, P10E62261 third floor northside center outside of restroom, P10E62265 in landing area in front of Room 232 under glassed bulletin board).
- Mechanical Engineering Laboratory took 2 (P10E62262 and P10E62263 on first and second floors).
Financial implications for reducing water bottles on campus?
Associated Project(s):Below is an email exchange between Morgan White, Jennifer Fratterigo, and Daphne Hulse:
Hi Daphne,
Per the discussion this morning in the Sustainability Sub-council, please work with Aaron Finder to identify the UIUC concession revenue related to bottled water sales for Housing, the Union, and DIA.
We would like to have this information in advance of the Sustainability Council meeting on 12/13, if possible.
Thanks,
Morgan
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Hi Daphne,
In addition to determining the revenue for bottled water sales, we also discussed collecting information about tipping fees for Housing, the Union, and DIA. These fees could be an offset for potentially lost revenue if water bottle sales were reduced. It would be great if you would send information about tipping fees before the Sustainability Council meeting.
Thanks,
Jen
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Hi Jen,
I have reached out to Aaron to remind him about this request J
For the tipping fees, could you detail more what this would look like? I remember it mentioned during the meeting, but I don’t think I’m fully understanding what a tipping fee is. Is this similar to a tax of some kind?
Thank you,
Daphne-----------------------------------
Hi Daphne,
Thanks for contacting Aaron to refresh the request!
Tipping fees are the fees paid to send trash to the landfill. I assume DWS charges a fixed rate per pound of trash. The units are responsible for paying these fees for the amount of trash they produce. Shawn should have this information, but I don’t know to what extent the fees are broken down by unit. I would like the finest resolution available, as I can always aggregate it to the level that is most useful.
The thinking is that, if revenue declines because we reduce demand for beverages in plastic bottles, then waste generated may also decline (assumes most bottles are being thrown in the trash rather than recycled). This in turn would reduce the tipping fees a unit pays. However, I have not yet figured out how to estimate the change in weight and thus fees if fewer bottles are sold. We would probably need to make some assumptions about how many are thrown in the trash. Or maybe we can estimate based on waste audit data. Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas on how to estimate the potential change in fees.
Thanks!
Jen
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Hi Jen,
Thank you for the explanation! In principle, a fixed rate per pound of trash is exactly how we want to operate. It creates tangible incentive for campus buildings to recycle (a service we do not charge them for).
Our current operations only charge buildings by the size of their outdoor landfill receptacle. It wouldn’t matter if the receptacle had a single piece of paper in it, or if it was filled to the brim with concrete. We would charge the building the same price. This is because there is no difference in the fixed cost of paying for drivers or trucks to visit the site. The problem is apparent when once all the trash has been collected for the day and we haul it off to the landfill, the landfill charges us (F&S) per ton of trash. There’s a discrepancy between F&S charging buildings by size, and the landfill charging F&S by weight.
This will be a longer process to reconcile, but it’s something on our radar. And something recognized as important to address. One of our receptacles (“front-load”) already has the technological capability to weigh the material within it, we just need to restart this program (got derailed by many things, especially COVID). The other process is updating our waste rates to become weight-based, which involves lots of entities on campus who would need to review and approve.
I hope this has shed some more light on how waste operations work. I’m always happy to discuss in more detail with you, too.
Thank you,
Daphne
Resilience iCAP Team December Meeting
Associated Project(s):The Resilience iCAP Team had its final online meeting of this semester on Monday, November 28th, from 11:00 - 12:00 PM. The team discussed two recommendations: Coordinated Rainwater Management Plan Recommendation and Sustainability Economic Analysis Recommendation. The team plans to revise and send the Coordinated Rainwater Management Plan Recommendation to the iWG by this Friday, December 2nd. Also, the team chair, Stay Gloss, will present the Sustainability Economic Analysis Recommendation at the iSEE Management Meeting and ask for any potential iSEE funding. Meeting minutes are attached.
Attached Files:Status Update on Water006 Recommendation: Lot23 Monitoring
Associated Project(s):On May 28, 2022 Meredith Moore sent an email to Arthur Schmidt regarding the status of the Water 006 recommendation:
Hi Art!
I hope you are well. I am reaching out to check in about the status of the Water006 recommendation: Lot23 Monitoring. This is an old recommendation that was returned back to the Water and Stormwater SWATeam in August 2019. It can be found here: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/water006-lot-f23-monitoring-returned. Based on the project update, a proposal for funding was to be submitted to the Student Sustainability Committee. Are you aware if this happened?
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!
Meredith
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On November 30, 2022 Mrogan White sent the following to Arthurt Schmidt:
Hi Art,
Could you please answer these quick questions?
- Did you ever move forward with installing a monitoring system of any kind in the parking lot at Florida and Lincoln (Lot F23)?
- If the SSC would provide funding for such an installation, would you be able to serve as an advisor for the project and use the collected information?
Thanks!
Morgan
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On Dec 1, 2022 Art responded:
Hi, Morgan:
Many years ago when this first came up we installed an instrumentation vault at the SE corner of the lot where the storm sewer pipe leaves the lot. We never received any funding to move forward with this, so no instrumentation ever installed.
I would be thrilled to help/advise with moving this forward. I would also try to find portions of this where my Field Methods class could help install/calibrate/maintain instruments or collect samples. I have a couple classes were we could use the data.
Art
Energy010 Establishment of a Clean Energy Plan Conference Committee - Submitted
Associated Project(s):The Energy iCAP Team submitted the Energy010 Establishment of a Clean Energy Plan Conference Committee recommendation on 11/30/22. The recommendation is as follows:
Establish a committee of faculty, staff, and students charged with the following responsibilities:
- Identification of experts on energy conservation and clean energy technologies both on and off campus
- Recruitment of identified experts to speak about their area of expertise to the UIUC campus community
- Development of a conference focused on energy conservation and clean energy technologies that will be available to the campus community.
The recommendation document is attached.
11-30-22 External Meeting
Associated Project(s):On November 30, UIUC sustainability representatives met with Coca-Cola and discussed the following:
Attendance: Jake Slager, Shawn Patterson, Pete Varney, Jen Fraterrigo, Mariangelix Bonila, Erika Harvey, Brette Bennett, Bryan Johnson, Steve Breitwieser, Travis Tate, Kendall Chadwick, Shreya Mahajan, Meredith Moore, Daphne Hulse, Marty Kaufmann, Thurman Etchison, Sarah Carten, Liz Doeschoet
Presentation
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Increase recycling and reduce waste (top two goals)
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Implement consistent messaging, infrastructure, and activation
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Talked with sustainability ambassadors, coke sustainability team, and UIUC folks to come up with this presentation
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Don’t Waste: Block I design makes it look like “I Don’t Waste” — part of the branding
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I is really key, because everyone should be involved
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Goal: to make recycling as easy as possible. Make it a movement, not an afterthought
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Brand identity
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Co-branded marks developed, but the mission and purpose is much larger than just the brand
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Collective sense of ownership through the brand design
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Iconic I is a key part of the visual. It anchors everything else. Using it as an emotional element, a part of ownership
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Broken up with two formats
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Big banners, large signage — more real estate, bigger impact in those instances
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Smaller pieces — flyers, digital, social more standard sizes
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Don’t Waste Days: specific to events on campus; more targeted than just the Don’t Waste general branding
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Always use the marks on white, navy, or orange backgrounds
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Tone of voice:
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Empowered, uplifting, courageous, bold, and self-assured
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Combined the language of the university with Coca-Cola
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Hybrid approach: make the world a better place, build a sustainable feature. It all starts on campus by capturing students’ attention through education and entertainment. it should feel like a natural extension of the U of I’s brand personality
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Work to combat skepticism with recycling: is what I’m doing really making that big of a difference? Combat this.
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Recognize the critical role of Athletics in the messaging: individuals and leaders may have more of a voice that influence many people (kept this in mind and used this to craft the message)
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Content ideas, activation ideas, athletics
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Content
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Instructional signage
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Leverage signage to showcase what can and cannot be recycled. Easy for people to understand to make it as painless as possible. “Moment of truth” about to throw away bottle or can and they catch the message and decide to recycle the item
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Location suggestions
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Awareness signage
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Keep recycling top of mind at all time
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Evergreen message
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Show proof of progress helps combat skepticism (data)
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Immediate feedback
- Daphne: Likes Moment of Truth (Pete likes this too). Like the awareness signage, which plays well into data and tracking, increases transparency around operations and recycling
- Meredith: Thinks consistent instructional signage is very important. And the Block I is very recognizable which means whether you’re at State Farm Center, Memorial Stadium, or on campus somewhere, you start to recognize these signs.
- Jake: One thing he’s learned about sustainability is that the consistency is very important.
- Jen: Name, image, likeness situation with Athletes. Would we have to think about this? Logistics to discuss.
- Jake mentioned likeness to Marty — something to continue thinking about
- Brette: this is all meant to be a though-starter. It will all need to be tweaked as we move forward.
- Video content
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Short-form: 15 seconds. Built for social, but can be used elsewhere. Feature one or two people testifying what they don’t waste. Finish out with key spokesperson.
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Long-form: 1 minute. YouTube, in-stadium or arena. Include 5-10 students, athletes, coaches, or faculty. End with a key spokesperson.
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I Don’t Waste movement goes beyond recycling.
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Work with various athletes, coaches, and recognizable figures on campus to say what they don’t waste: time, shot, down, opportunities, chances. Make it personal to our community
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Make it feel natural to the students. Start and end or trickle in recycling and waste messaging where it can feel natural
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Social
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Recommended platforms to reach out to owners and start the conversations around sharing the Don’t Waste message
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Continued engagement
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Reinforce the message and get people to continue engaging on the topic
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Proof of progress - combat doubt and skepticism. We do this through showing our actual data and how we are progressing.
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How do we get the data on an ongoing basis?
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Doesn’t always have to be a huge audit or a big number. Can be little wins on an ongoing basis.
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Instagram Add Yours feature: it’s a newer trend people are enjoying. Adds sticker to their story “I don’t waste” anyone can click on the sticker and post their own response
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Easily start on a U of I owned profile
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Instagram gifs: create school-branded gifs with a sustainability theme
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Surprise and Delight social participation”: surprising students who engage in the social media campaigns or share content from in-person activation. Winners receive co-branded sustainability prize packs
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Activation
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Infrastructure
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People won’t walk more than 15 feet away from the trash can to recycle something
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Addition of new bins and making sure recycling and waste and paired would help increase recycling
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Reusable cups
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Freestyle machines track
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There are lower tech options
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Offer large reusable cups for purchase or at orientation. Would have to think about POS or meal plan integration. If people use the vessel, make sure there is a reward or incentive
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Sponsoring a bin
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Work with RSOs to sponsor new recycling bins in coordination with the school, the orgs can have plaques affixed to a bin or decorate a temporary bin to increase recycling opportunities on campus
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Recycling maps
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Illinois App
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Showing people where they can recycle
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Don’t Waste Days
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Don’t Waste Wednesdays
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Select one day a week or a month where the university focuses on sustainability initiatives
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Monthly or quarterly campus clean up events
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Offer incentives like t-shirts, concert tickets, sports tickets
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Celebrate the little wins
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Green teams: in-person group distributing sustainable prize packs if they catch someone recycling
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Educate your campus community
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Recycle bin game
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Athletics
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Don’t waste game days
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Closing feedback:
- Thurman: Man on the street to kick of the social campaign (student testimonials). Recycling webcam that is on at all times to show the trick shots, or at least track what’s going in the bin
- Marty: Remain mindful of how much Athletics can commit to various initiatives.
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Week 7 - BFU Application
Associated Project(s):This week, Aparna reviewed all of the past BFU Applications submitted to compare the progress over the years. The same was discussed and gone over again with Sarthak to help with the comments and notes made by her on the applications for a more thorough understanding. The next steps would be to start filling out the application for 2023. Aparna has been added by Sarthak Prasad to help with the submission for BFU: Bicycle Friendly University 2023.