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  1. TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series - Climate Action 7/27 at 6PM

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series

    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series - Climate Action

    All are invited to attend iSEE’s TED Talk: Eco-Edition event, this month hosted by Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager at the Urbana Parks District and President of the Environmental Education Association of IL. The discussion will center on local and global climate action. Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk followed by a guided discussion. No preparation is necessary!

    July 27, 6–7 pm

    Meredith Moore • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

  2. Weekly Update: Build-a-Bike, New Hire, Community Bike Ride on Thursday

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, I was out Mon - Thurs last week sick. My staff covered admirably but, invariably, there are things they were uncomfortable taking on. Just an opportunity for further training! We had one Build-a-Bike be completed and another almost made it out the door at the last minute on Friday.

    On Friday we had a visitor from Danville who is working on an Eagle Scout program rehabbing old bikes and donating them to local charities. We were able to donate 3 bikes and a handful of parts.

    We also had a new hire start on Friday, received a handful of nice bike donations earlier in the week, and will process those donations this week. We’ll also work on getting a few more bikes on the sales floor as we approach August. Or maybe more accurately: AUGUST. It’ll be a doozy of a month.

    On Sunday, July 31st, The Bike Project is hosting a community bike ride, so we’ll let folks know about that.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 18*
    Sales: $499
    Bikes: 1 for $200
    Build-a-Bike: 1 for $50
    Memberships: 1 for $30

    *Likely higher actual #; technical difficulties in my absence.

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  3. Internal meeting for the "Don't Waste It" campaign

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    • Tony Mancuso said that he will take care of the Digital Signage
      • He can get the slide (powerpoint) and make changes to dimensions if needed
      • Tony will get them out to all communicators on campus and the list-servs
      • Chris (from Housing) will handle the Housing Digital Signage
    • Morgan asked whether we need to talk to anybody from Public Affairs
      • Regarding Branding
      • Tony said, "No. This is not a Branding issue."
    • Morgan asked Marty Kaufman (from DIA) about Digital Signs
      • Marty said that there may be some in the State Farm Center in the lobby area but there are not any at Memorial Stadium
    • Group talked about putting messaging on a column
      • Morgan wants to wait for a future date
      • It could be on the wall/mural at the Waste Transfer Station. Pete Varney said sure
    • Homepage for Recycling - the F&S Recycling page - https://fs.illinois.edu/services/waste-management-and-recycling. The group talked about making changes to this page to accommoday the "Don't Waste It" campaign.
      • single use masks may be pulled soon
        • Pete will check on the status of updates to the website
      • Adding "Related Resources" to this page
      • We will work on making the website mobile-friendly.
    • QR code
      • Whether it should go to the F&S website or something specific
      • Sarthak Prasad suggested using Webtools
        • Tony agreed. He said it would be great if we can manage the QR code and short URL
      • Sarthak will create a Short URL and QR code
        • Short URL - go.illinois.edu/recycling - created
        • Will give access to the communicators on this call
    • Reusable or Moveable Bins
      • Morgan asked Thurman Etchison (Housing), how many bins would he like? - this is for the Welcome Celebration - expecting about 4-5k students
        • Morgan had asked Coca-Cola for 30-50 bins
        • Coke will give us these bins and we will have to place them
      • Thurman said that
        • DIA usually place the bins
        • Housing could place and store them for future events
        • Thurman had asked Coca-Cola for 20
      • Morgan said that Coke will give the bins to Thurman
      • Morgan will ask them to give us 30 bins
      • Material
        • Options: Cardboard or corrugated plastic
          • We want corrugated plastic
          • Thurman had asked for this already
        • Bryan Johnson (Housing) said that we would like to get a sample first before we get all 30
          • For the look and size to place on Housing property/Residence Halls
      • Blue Bags for recycling
        • Morgan asked if all know how to get them
        • Pete said that the blue bags are available but BSWs are responsible for providing them
          • Reach out to Pete if there are questions
    • Department picnic (Welcome Celebration) is on August 19 from 11-3 pm
      • F&S and iSEE have a table each
      • Morgan asked if others have tables
        • Dave Guth (Illini Union) said that he will check with Erik Riha
      • Morgan asked if others would like the swag/giveaways at other tables or just at the F&S and iSEE tables?
        • Tony said that he would rather have them at multiple locations instead of just one or two
        • Thurman said the he would prefer to spread the infomration at different locations
      • Morgan also asked if we should distribute the swag all year round
      • Welcome Celebration - iSEE table - Meredith Moore (iSEE) is looking at it. Tony will be there too.
    • Reusable Straws
      • Tyler Swanson (student) said that
        • Students love free bottles
        • reusable straws are not preferred
        • cannot clean them in the dorms
      • Shreya Mahajan (student) said that students only use the reusable straws once
      • Tony said that he agrees with both Tyler and Shreya
    • Table Cloth is fine
    • Meredith would like someone from Coca-Cola to host the Ted Talk
      • Maybe in late fall or early spring
      • Corporate sustainability
    • Plastic Free Challenge in October and/or April
      • Coke could support these as part of the Don't Waste It campaign
    • Waste Audit
      • Last waste audit was done in 2015 (Illini Union in coordination with ISTC)
        • Included RAL, BIF, Illini Union and two other buildings
      • monitored 5 days worth of waste
        • This time, ISTC says they only need to monitor 2 days of waste
      • Dave Guth asked where else we could be targeting. Whether we would want to do the same 5 buildings or add more to them. It would be great if Coca-Cola supports it and funds it too
      • Dave talked about coordinating in October. ISTC lost their coordinator
        • Focus this fall on the scope, funds, and other details
        • Timeline could be Earth Month
    • Coca-Cola needs to spend $15,000 for sustainability on-campus
      • Marty Kaufman - They previously provided t-shirts
      • Aaron Finder - We have not received any checks since updating the contract
      • Morgan White - Can we ask if we didnt receive funding previous year(s), if they can fund/provide funds now?
      • Aaron - We can only ask for the current contract?
      • Marty Kaufman - Ideally, we can ask the question.

  4. Resilience Weekly Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community

    After a brief meeting pause after the Spring semester ended, Stacy Gloss, Meredith Moore, and Morgan White are back to meeting weekly about building resilience in our local community. We met July 21, 2022.

    We discussed:

    -Resilience iCAP Team changes for 2022-23. Stacy Gloss is chair, Scott Tess is Vice Chair

    -Student work & intern opportunities.  We will work with EGN100 first-year students in the fall semester and brainstorm about how to design an internship opportunity for a student to engage in community / campus resilience work.

    -Stacy has begun meeting with Village of Savoy Staff and community partners on a project that addresses equitable youth recovery and economic mobility. The project includes a focus on wellbeing of residents across the seven dimensions of wellnss - mental, phyical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational. Savoy has partnered with National League of Cities for the project.

     

  6. Thank You for Attending Geothermal Illinois: Community or District-Level Systems (Renewable Heating and Cooling)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Geothermal Coalition

    The following message was sent to individuals who attended the "Geothermal Illinois: Community - & District-Level Systems" presentation led by Brian Urlaub, Associate Vice President & Director of Geothermal Operations, Salas O'Brien:

    Dear Participants,

     

    Many thanks for attending Geothermal Illinois: Community- & district-level systems, presented by Brian Urlaub, Associate Vice President & Director of Geothermal Operations, SALAS O’BRIEN. Many thanks to the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resource, Energy, and Environment educator Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Civil and Environmental Engineering professor Dr. Tugce Baser, and Illinois Geological Survey’s Andrew Stumpf for presenting additional information on efforts, research, technology, and funding opportunities. We also recognize our network of partnering organizations, whose titles with websites are listed below, along with a link to today’s webinar recording, slide decks, and resource links.

     

    Recording: https://youtu.be/A5x-RVKuIqQ

    Slide Decks: https://uofi.box.com/s/rexji3kosgc4poifqxh21a1x9d2ftjqb 

    Resource Links:

    Funding opportunities:

    https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=ee3f71ec-49e4-40d3-9d27-04d10be90be5

     

    Partner organizations:

    Illinois Geothermal Coalition

    Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (MBDC)

    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    Illinois Water Resources Center

    Geothermal Alliance of Illinois

    International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)

    The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEOEXCHANGE)

    Prairie Rivers Network

    Citizens Utility Board

    Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition

     

    Many thanks for your interest in today’s topic. Our presenters and experts are copied on this email, and you are welcome to reach out to any of us for further conversation and support as you work towards energy independence, resiliency, and sustainability!

     

    Best wishes,

     

    NANCY OUEDRAOGO


    EXT CED STATE SPEC

  7. Incorporation of Post Consumer Pizza Boxes in the Recovered Fiber Stream Study - WestRock

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    A study was conducted to analyze the impact of incorporating post-consumer pizza boxes in the recovered fiber stream. More specifically, factors such as grease and cheese were primarily observed. The summary of the findings includes the following:

    • The number of pizza boxes placed on the market in the U.S. annually is estimated to be 3 billion boxes equating to 600,000 tons of corrugated board. Pizza boxes represent 1.7% of the 35.9 million tons of corrugated containerboard produced in the U.S. annually.
    • If all pizza boxes were recovered for recycling, they would represent approximately 2.6% of the OCC stream or 2.2% of the OCC and mixed paper stream combined.
    • Pizza boxes currently found in the recycling stream have an average grease content of approximately 1-2% by weight level.
    • Grease is hydrophobic and when pizza boxes approach a 20 wt% concentration of the furnish, grease interference with inter-fiber bonding begins to result in significant paper strength loss (~5%). At pizza box concentrations under 10%, paper strength loss is low.
    • The strength loss as a function of “greasy” fiber and pre-consumer board was almost linear in the 0-20 wt% blend level.
    • Cheese, comprised of fats and proteins, is hydrophilic and does not hinder hydrogen inter-fiber bonding of fibers. Cheese tends to solidify and get screened out during the pulping process.

    To read the study in its entirety, see the attached file.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Illinois Newsroom article: University of Illinois tags students’ bicycles with stickers for campus bike clean-up

    Associated Project(s): 
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    Illinois Newsroom article by Sydney Wood about "University of Illinois tags students’ bicycles with stickers for campus bike clean-up." Read the article attached or read it online at: https://illinoisnewsroom.org/the-university-of-illinois-tags-students-bi...

    Attached Files: 

  11. Bike at Illinois and University Housing contributions to Bike Month activities

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    Bike at Illinois confirmed an allocation of $5,100 for Bike to Work Day and Light the Night events. Following is the breakdown:

    1. $2,000 towards t-shirts
    2. $1,500 towards the purchase of bike lights
    3. $1,250 towards logistics – Tables, chairs, trash, recycling, and hand sanitizing stations for all 9 campus welcoming stations for BTWD and 3 campus locations for LTN
    4. $350 towards the promotion and advertisement of these events (on campus digital advertising)

    University Housing also agreed to donate food and refreshment at all eight or night campus BTWD welcoming stations, in the amount of $1,500.

  12. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - July 15, 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Michael showed updates to the iCAP Portal:

    • Added instructions below each map on live site
    • Added image gallery for each theme, e.g. Dev site Energy Theme page (currently on dev2, not yet moved to live site)
    • Metrics: removed "(Tracked by ...)" from titles
    • New Project nodes default to "Sticky at top of lists" so they show up at top of search results
    • Collections: changed Project Updates to look like other 3 sections; show only 1 update
    • Collections: migrated Collections page updates to live site
    • Image Gallery: made bg behind images white instead of blue, so transparent images don't have blue background

    TODOs:

    • Confirm it's safe to delete Collections on a dev site before deleting Collections on live site
    • Project Collection page bug: project hierarchy shows all Collections for each project rather than only current Collection
    • Create project page bug: input fields are overflowing their containers in Firefox
    • Show listing of public/private projects

  13. 217Today Interview: Abandoned bicycles

    Associated Project(s): 
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    217Today broadcasted an interview about the removal of abandoned bicycles on campus as part of the campus clean up process. You can listen to the interview at the 2:10 minute mark in this episode.

    Also, check out the Illinois Public Media WILL episode for July 15, 2022 here: https://will.illinois.edu/217today/episode/217-today-to-atone-for-racial...

    Attached Files: 

  15. Weekly Update: Bike sales, Build-a-Bike, Bike Rodeo

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Business as usual this last week. Still can’t keep enough bikes on the sales floor to meet demand but we have had an uptick in Build-a-Bikes. One B-a-B was finished on Friday and another started the same day.

    This week we are helping out with a Safe Routes to School Bike Rodeo program by providing the basketball courts for their learn to ride course.

    Thanks to Todd for putting a sizeable dent in our scrap pile, as we’ve been getting a lot of non-repairable bikes donated lately (unfortunately).

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 29

    Sales: $862
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $235
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Memberships: 6 for $180

    Tires/tubes: 14 for $136

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  18. NRES 285 Final Reports for Uni High (2022)

    Associated Project(s): 
    NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors
    NRES 285: Sustainability Metrics and Evaluation Techniques

    Below is an email exchange involving the NRES 285 Uni High reports:

    Dear Director Elizabeth Majerus and Karl Radnitzer,

     

    You both are the first recipients of the final sustainability written report and class presentation! For Karl, our team worked in conjunction with Don Marrow, and with you fulfilling his position, we wanted you to have a copy of this report. We hope that you both enjoy the report, and that it helps Uni!

     

    Sincerely,

    John Michelotti

    -----------------------------------

    Hi John,

     

    Thanks for the report. I have printed it out and plan to read after school ends (May 27th). Thank you for your work.

     

    Karl

     -------------------------------

    Thank you for planning to read it, and you’re absolutely welcome for our work. Have a good last stretch up until the end of school.

     

    Sincerely,

    John Michelotti

     -------------------------------

    Hi John,

     

    Fist of all I noticed you were in Koinonia House. I have two of my friends that were in that house- Tim and Paul Manning. Do you know them? They would have graduated in the late 70s or early 80s but are very active alumni.

     

    I have included Don Marrow (our Business manager) and Elizabeth Majerus ( our Director of the School). The part in red is where is where we need money to complete the projects Don and Elizabeth.

     

    I have read the report. I want to do the following:

     

    1. I will have 8 paper recycle containers on each floor- clearing marked. Should I spray paint them green or blue?
    2. Make sure all black containers are for garbage/trash only so we don't find contamination in all recycling bins.
    3. The issue with the steel door our previous business manager wanted the wooden doors.  Didn't have much say
    4. I would like all lights motions to switched to sensor LED. Don how do we make that happen?
    5. We realize our windows are not very effective. We need a complete overhaul of our windows.
    6. We did have a group talk to us about food recycling, but they wanted to do the composting inside the building. That was not going to work.
    1. On the land section, I have a boy scout do his eagle project on the area right outside the door on Springfield so that it now looks much better. We also have a club taking care of the small garden.
    2. Don, how can we get more sensor water bottle filters on each floor.. We have one on third, we need on second near 206 and one near 106 N.

    John,

    I will be back in town July 6th. Maybe we can touch base.

     

    Karl

    ---------------------------------------

     

    Dear Eric and Meredith,

     

    I hope each of your summers are restful and going well! I received this email today, along with one other that I will also forward, from Karl Radnitzer at Uni High. They are responses sent to me, Elizabeth Majerus, and Don Marrow—for some reason you both and the students were not included, but I think it’s because I sent out the files to him. I wanted you both to be aware so that you can appropriately respond whenever you can. I will tell him I’m forwarding this all to you both and thank him for his outlook on making changes. Thank you so much!

     

    Sincerely,

    John Michelotti

    --------------------------------------------

    Hi Morgan, Paul, Andy, and Karl,

    Last semester, the NRES285 students worked on a sustainability assessment of Uni High. Karl Radnitzer (Associate Director for Student Life at Uni High) expressed interest in moving forward with a few initiatives, as follows:

    1. I would like all lights motions to switched to sensor LED. Don how do we make that happen?
    2. We realize our windows are not very effective. We need a complete overhaul of our windows.
    1. Don, how can we get more sensor water bottle filters on each floor.. We have one on third, we need on second near 206 and one near 106 N.

    I am wondering if any of you have information on how we can move forward with any of these items. If there is someone else I should reach out to, please let me know. Thanks so much!

    Meredith

  19. Encourage your students to engage with the community through We CU

    Associated Project(s): 
    Resilience Commitment

    Encourage your students to engage with the community through We CU

    Whether your students are active in community service or seeking a service opportunity, We CU enriches their university experience with workshops, service opportunities, mini grants to offset the cost of service, and opportunities to connect with like-minded folks on campus and in the community. Encourage your grads and undergrads to learn more at the Spring 2022 Info Session. 

    January 25, 6–6:45 pm • Register for Zoom details

    Emily Stone and Katie Shumway • We CU Community Engaged Scholars program

    baseline_wifi_black_18dp.png This opportunity is available online.

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