On 11/3/22, F&S FIR produced a map of the inventory for state-supported facilities. Attached is the map.

On November 2, UIUC sustainability representatives met with Coca-Cola and discussed the following:

• T-shirt renderings: 50 green volunteer shirts, 200 orange giveaway shirts.

  • Volunteer shirts: adding organizational logos from iSEE, F&S, DIA, and Coca-Cola to the back of the shirt.

  • Giveaway shirt: “Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste” tag phrase.

  • Cost and shipping estimates:

    • $115 shipping.

    • ~$2500 shirts.

    • Shipped to Daphne at F&S.

    • Delivered 11/1, Friday before the game.

  • Blue PMS 2767. Orange PMS 7417

• Sustainability fund: $10k for this year (~$2500 used for this game).

  • Final number on this?

• Solar picnic tables:

  • Jake will get dimensions of the boxes to see if F&S can store them.

  • Todd (fonts, colors, part-time).

  • Architectural Review Committee (outdoor spaces).

• Digital advertising:

  • Updates?

• Recycling receptacle at State Farm Center:

  • Will be put in place next to the trash compactor below the center. We will be able to separate the two and determine a diversion rate after game day.

  • Temporary, not the permanent solution. There are spatial limitations to work through.

• Blue bags at SFC: final piece.

  • Collecting bottles and cans with liquid during game day will not be an issue.

RailSplitter Wind Farm provided the October 2022 Buyer's Share amounts by hour, totaling 2,058.2 Megawatt hours.

The October 2022 Buyer's Share Report is attached below.

Attached are the notes from the October meeting for the Campus Tree Advisory Committee. 

On October 31, UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

Attendance: Pete Varney, Thurman Etchison, Shreya Mahajan, Daphne Hulse, Tony Mancuso

Updates:

1. State Farm Center will accommodate an outdoor recycling receptacle on the zero waste game day (to keep trash and recycling separated, easier to compare final weights).

   1. Temporary for this game. Need to get creative about a permanent solution.

   2. Next step: coordinating blue plastic bags for the indoor recycling containers.

2. Volunteer and Giveaway t-shirt renderings.

   1. Goal to receive the shirts by 11/11.

3. Student volunteer recruiting:

   1. iSEE Newsletter Tuesday 11/1 will generally advertise the event

   2. iSEE Newsletter Tuesday 11/8 will solicit for volunteers if we have not hit the 40-50 target

4. Pre-game trivia questions:

   1. F&S Zero Waste Team will take the lead on this.

5. OSU MyCup Program — survey findings?

6. Updated contact list (with Coca-Cola contacts included).

7. SSLC attempting to connect with Illini Pride and Orange Krush leadership, no response yet. Part-time staff advisor at the SSC is attempting to make contact, too.

8. Post-game feedback:

   1. Circle back with Marty to see if a QR code with a link to questions is possible. “Let us know your feedback.”

   2. Keep it short:

      1. “Did you notice that this was a zero waste event?” YES / NO

      2. “Do you support having more emphasis on recycling in future games?” YES / NO

9. Get the zero waste game as a iSEE Certified Green Event.

   1. F&S Zero Waste Team will take the lead on this.

10. Green Sports Alliance — Meredith, Daphne, Betsy Liggett + Colleen Ruhter (Safety and Compliance) met with two Green Sports Alliance representatives (Bradley Vogel and Matt Adler)

    1. Play to Zero platform.

    2. Safety and Compliance worked with Procurement to process a GSA annual membership.

    3. Discussed how to get Athletics to take initiative on sustainability programs, and to transition contact with GSA to them

       1. Focus on resource + cost savings (F&S tracks all of the waste from Athletics facilities as of July 1st 2022). Betsy and Colleen are investigating if we can track their energy + water use.

       2. Next step: Set up a meeting with the GSA Director + UIUC Athletics Leadership (those who are interested)

    4. Simultaneously, the Zero Waste iCAP team is attempting to find student athletes would be interested in joining our iCAP meetings

       1. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

       2. Invited Tim Knox, Assistant Athletic Dir of Facilities/Capital Projects (Engagement iCAP team) to our next iCAP meeting

Long-term thinking

1. Recycling bin infrastructure:

   1. 16,000 seats at State Farm Center.

      1. 10,000 of the seats are accessed on floor 2.

      2. 4 concession counters accessed on floor 2.

   2. No recycling bins on floor 2.

      1. Encourage permanent infrastructure on this floor.

      2. Zero Waste iCAP team would like to submit a formal recommendation — is this the best route?

2. Concessionaire — Oak View Group.

   1. Achieve a higher diversion rate at future events by addressing concession waste.

      1. Drinks (cans and bottles) are plastic #1 and #2.

      2. There are paper cups with plastic lining + souvenir cups which can’t be recycled.

      3. None of the food containers (paper cartons, aluminum foil, cardboard containers, paper wrappers) will not be recyclable (and no infrastructure for composting).

      4. Look to other Big Ten schools as models of success (F&S Zero Waste Team is working on creating a Big Ten waste management comparison report).

3. Illini Lights Out as a model for student engagement:

   1. Dedicated, consistent group of students interested in assisting with sustainability at athletic events.

   2. Meredith is working on creating a listserv of trained volunteers.

   3. Utilize the opportunity of service fraternities and sororities looking to get involved in the community (tailgating).

On October 28, Meredith Moore, Colleen Ruhter, Betsy Richardson, and Daphne Hulse met with Bradley Vogel and Matt Adler from GSA. The following was discussed:

• Introductions
  • Betsy Richardson: works in environmental compliance with Colleen Ruhter. Their work revolves around regulations with EPA and permits. They signed up with GSA in 2019. Garrett Wong presented at the Green Infrastructure Conference, which is how UIUC became connected with GSA. They are trying to roll this out of compliance and into the world of Athletics, where it should be.
  • Colleen Ruhter: Civil engineer, background in stormwater, currently works on sanitary and drinking water projects as of late.
  • Bradley Vogel: Senior Memberships and Events representative. Bradley works with major athletic events to do waste diversion at games.
  • Matt: Works in the corporate and non-profit side of their services (ex: technological resources used to achieve goals).
  • Daphne: newest to the university, Zero Waste Coordinator.
  • Meredith: Sustainability Programs Manager at iSEE. Keen to see Athletics take initiative and want to help them achieve goals.
• What is athletics currently doing?
  • Are they tracking waste, energy, and water use?
    • UIUC thinks we should be able to track their energy, because they are a campus operation.
    • F&S recently (July 2022) acquired responsibility to take care of the waste at all of their facilities (previously, Athletics contracted with other waste haulers for some facilities).
• Approach Athletics with a money mindset.
  • How much could they theoretically save in costs by reducing their resource use?
• Play to Zero platform.
• Next steps
  • GSA will send UIUC a guide, and we can see about how to track their utilities in the meantime.
  • We should set up another meeting with GSA, especially if we can get Athletic leaders on the call. Keep the conversation going.

On October 26, UIUC sustainability representatives met with Coca-Cola and discussed the following:

Attendance: Anthony Mancuso, Jake Slager, Daphne Hulse, Sarah Carten, Pete Varney, Bryan Johnson, Marty Kaufmann, Jen Fraterrigo, Meredith Moore

Agenda:

1. How to hear from basketball game attendees (survey, open-ended feedback)?

2. How to keep this momentum going for future collaborations between Coca-Cola, iSEE, F&S, DIA?

   1. Quantifying results. Compare typical basketball game waste production with this event.

   2. Recycling infrastructure/logistics. Look into the possibility a dedicated recycling container at State Farm Center. Supplying blue bags. Incorporating recycling containers to the second floor where logistically feasible.

      1. Temporary “Don’t Waste It” bins will be placed here for the zero waste game.

   3. Cultivating a dedicated, core group of students/volunteers.

   4. Touring Memorial Stadium in the future — understanding how the operation works there.

3. How do we make it clear what is and is not recyclable?

   1. Other than student volunteers engaging with attendees, is there a more passive option worth pursuing?

   2. Zero waste game logistics: what if an attendee has a half-full drink they are ready to recycle?

      1. Shawn, Pete might have an idea.

4. What game day messaging do we want to give for advertisements (what are we wanting to achieve)?

   1. “America Recycles Day” (November 15) — drawing attention to the Keep America Beautiful program.

   2. “Zero Waste” — consistency with the iCAP chapter.

   3. “Use the Bin” — building off of this ongoing initiative?

   4. “Don’t Waste Your Shot to Recycle” — building off of the Don’t Waste messaging.

   5. A way to incorporate a fun basketball term in the event tagline?

      1. Slam dunk, shot.

5. Graphic design that showcases all of the involved parties of the event? This is how I (Daphne) think we can best reach out to RSOs, relevant groups, to help us promote the event in advance on social media.

   1. Coca-Cola, DIA, F&S, SSLC, Illini Pride, Orange Krush.

   2. Who will be in charge of creating this graphic?

6. Volunteers

   1. Meredith: any update on SSLC meeting with Illini Pride and Orange Krush?

   2. Who is in charge of creating a form for interested student volunteers?

   3. Coca-Cola Heartland: We’d like to open up the opportunity for student volunteers first, but if we don’t reach our 40-50 sign up goal, we would like to reach out to the Heartland group

7. Do we have a Don’t Waste hashtag?

Discussion:

• DIA typically does standardized responses for basketball, so we can’t commit to anything right now.

• Jen: scan a QR code, and quickly respond to a couple questions. Half-time or short-break in the action.

  • Feedback may be more based on our diversion rate, rather than the attendees.

• What questions would we be asking?

  • Leichert scale 1-5, or yes-no.

  • Do you support having more emphasis on recycling?

  • How do you feel about zero waste emphasis?

  • Is it helpful or harmful? Neutral?

  • Did you notice that this was a zero waste event?

  • How well did we bring this to people’s attention?

• Lightshow or pre-game trivia specific U of I recycling, Jake has generic Coca-Cola trivia.

  • • Marty thinks this could be possible.

  • Marty will bring back to his group for discussion.

• Messaging:

  • Definitely include “America Recycles Day” → action item for the next day, after the game

  • One or two screens we can use, says Marty (thanks to these partners, groups, Keep America Beautiful)

  • As we observe America Recycles Day tomorrow, we are proud to make tonight a Zero Waste game!

• Meredith: SSLC had the meeting, 5:30 show up at SFC for training, meet and greet until 6, stand by stations.

• Student volunteer sign up:

  • iSEE newsletter - captive audience first.

  • Neither Orange Krush or Illini Pride leaders showed up at the Monday SSLC meeting, so we need to reach out to them to make sure they have buy-in.

  • Tuesday Newsletter, as well as Instagram (student-based)

  • Reconvene next week (Tony) to see if we reach out volunteer goal (40-50 individuals)

• Don’t Waste Hashtag?

• Coca-Cola will do the logo (Zero Waste Game) for consistent branding with YAH Agency

• Ongoing #DontWaste hashtag → consistent messaging, auto-tag when taking selfies

  • YAH Agency.

• Heartland Coca-Cola team has let us know that we can incorporate local Coke team.

• Lucy, Coca-Cola ambassador can help with messaging.

• Dozen or so iSEE student employees who are dedicated to sustainability events, interested folks in educational programming, possible that iSEE could have interns take lead on creating a group to keep things going for future events

• Long-term goal, iSEE and F&S don’t have to be involved with every game, more embedded with athletics. Laying the foundation for this year

• Will be helpful if we have the bins out there, strong infrastructure to support these events

• Illini Lights Out is a model — commitment to being involved; same way as having a group committed to helping with events. Listserv to blast to events for those who are interested in events.

  • Meredith is working with Zoe: starting with iCAP ambassador program. Will be a giant listserv of trained volunteers.

  • Service organizations, frats and sororities.

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

Attendance: Daphne Hulse, Meredith Moore, Jen Fraterrigo, Shreya Mahajan, Marty Kaufmann, Aaron Finder

Agenda:

1. F&S has ~27 old “Don’t Waste It” recycling bins stored in the Waste Transfer Station. We estimated ~14 bins will be used on game day. We will use the old bins and allow Jake time to find a more durable option for the updated “Don’t Waste” branding.

2. Jake to provide t-shirt renderings for green volunteer shirts and Coca-Cola branded giveaway shirts. Shirt cost will come from the mutual sustainability fund.

3. Toured the State Farm Center: we are working with the facility to determine the logistics of separating the blue recycling bags from the compacted landfill bags for game day. We provided them dimensions for our recycling container; waiting to hear if it is acceptable. If not, we will place blue bags in the compactor and have to sort them out at the Waste Transfer Station.

4. Concessions: Drinks (plastic bottles and aluminum cans) will be recyclable. Some of the items (the souvenir cup (plastic 5), paper Coca-Cola cups (lined with plastic film), and food containers (greasy boxes, foil) will not be recyclable).

   1. Thinking about how to advertise what is and is not recyclable to attendees…

5. High resolution logos have been added to Box.

6. Surprise & Delight Activation Reward Giveaway items are being sent to F&S. 50 reusable tote bags (filled with a t-shirt, hat, reusable straws (4 per pack), and thank-you messaging card on recycled paper).

7. Student engagement: based on the tour, we think the best way to engage attendees and ensure the correct items are being recycled is to have pairs of volunteers in green shirts come out during time-outs to walk through the seating areas with blue bags. There are 12 “internal entrances” to the stadium, ~24 students needed.

8. We expect not every student volunteer who signs up will show up, so we suggest recruiting around 40-50 volunteers total (pairs walking around the seats, floaters, bin guards, a few volunteers at entrances greeting attendees)

   1. Jake has offered to relay a message to the Coca-Cola Heartland team (the team regional to our area) to see if we can recruit any of them for volunteers — do we want to do that? Or stick with only UIUC student volunteers?

9. Identified opportunities for outreach (publicity contacts).

   1. When to reach out to student RSOs to promote? Do we have a graphic design we will use (Coca-Cola’s Don’t Waste?)

Discussion:

• Zero Waste game updates:
  • Orange Krush and Illini Pride meeting with SSLC.
  • Doors open at 6, starts at 7.
  • Meet on sight at 5:30? Marty suggests.

• Zoom meeting prior to game for the volunteers
• What if the bottles and cans are half full? Where do we throw it out?
• Open up the volunteering opportunity to students first, and then open it up to Heartland folks if we can’t get 40-50 student volunteers.
• Graphic design? Jen will reach out to iSEE publicity, F&S comms director, DIA comms.
  • What we want, and what we are asking? Marty thinks we have graphics, but what we need is our message. It would be good to showcase the partnerships here (different logos of the different depts involved).
  • Marty will find the point person, dept meeting this afternoon.
• How are we creating a foundation for future events? We have the momentum here, so use it as a platform for partnership going forward. Increasing this behavior at future events. Meredith, how might we have a dedicated group assisting for the future?
  • Marty: know that there are things that we can improve upon (blue bags, needing more bins on the second floor, logisitics with F&S). Can’t commit to how frequent. Don’t see an issue, and ideally it would work to change behavior. Some of which will be fast, some will be short.
  • A way to evaluate attendees experiences? Marty is not sure, he will ask at the department meeting. Football gets standard post-game question/feedback. The basketball games is probably by season, rather than game (because there are so many games).
  • Quantify what difference is made — F&S will do this. Ask Shawn about this.