The Illinois Biodiesel Initiative (IBI) is a student-led organization that works to promote the development of renewable energy production at the UIUC and to educate the campus community about the advantages of using biodiesel as a fuel source. The primary focus is the production of biodiesel and soap from a feedstock of used vegetable oil obtained from University Dining Halls. This initiative reduces the total landfill waste produced by the University, while also offsetting carbon emissions and establishing a self-sustaining system of production for renewable energy and soap.

The purchase of parts for a glass-lined 400 gallon batch biodiesel reactor would enable IBI to increase its production capacity, recycling larger quantities of used vegetable oil into biodiesel and soap. This purchase would also include a SpringPro T76 dry wash system, which would allow water to be substituted with resin in the biodiesel purification process, effectively eliminating wastewater and decreasing the amount of contaminated material which must be safely disposed of. Rather than producing and disposing of hazardous wastewater with every batch, the SpringPro T76 will allow this team to run many batches before the resin must be disposed of. The waste resin is non-hazardous, solid waste that can be more easily disposed of than the wastewater otherwise produced. This makes the process safer for students handling equipment, and reduces the amount of hazardous waste produced on campus.