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Project Updates

  1. iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    The harmful economic & environmental effects of agricultural waste can be mitigated with cutting-edge technologies, such as converting it to biochar & fuel. Join the final Fall iSEE Congress session with Thomas Trabold, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois.

    November 9, 12–1 pm • Register for Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

  2. Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Procurement

    Do you want to ensure that your spending is ethical and making a positive impact on the world? Is being mindful about where your money goes important to you? This webinar provides the tools you need to think critically about your own consumption. Learn how you can align your own behaviors with your personal values and goals. Registration required.

    Student Money Management Center • University of Illinois System Student Money Management Center

    Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

  4. Clean the Air Challenge info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Competitions

    The Clear The Air Challenge is an alternative, sustainable transit challenge done along the Wasatch Front in Utah every February, using the TravelWise app (specifically designed for this challenge in the region). While the challenge only incorporates transit and transportation, expanding it to other areas of sustainability, such as lights and electricity, would be a great action to take! 

     

    Here is the link to the challenge's website:  https://cleartheairchallenge.org/ 

  5. Walkability Audit: Training sessions

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    From Nov 1- Nov 6, 2021, Sarthak and Sutapa have been conducting training sessions (Virtual and In-person) for the Walkability Audit project. A total of 31 volunteers have been divided into 9 teams of 3 (or 4) volunteers each and have been assigned map blocks and unique id's to perform the survey. Detailed maps of the assigned blocks showing the sidewalks, buildings, building entrances and other key areas has been sent to each team member. 

    The Virtual training sessions are designed get a walkthrough of the Training Manual in order to get the volunteers familiar with the questions of the survey and key concepts that they might come across while performing the audit. It also introduces how to Download, log into and use the ArcGIS survey 123 app. Any questions or queries the volunteers had regarding the surveys were solved during these virtual sessions.

    The In-person data collection training sessions were designed for the volunteers to get familiar with the ArcGIS survey 123 app and to correctly input their observations for both the surveys. Volunteers were asked to move around map blocks of the Illini union or the F&S building (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL) to collect test data and sample deficiencies were identified during the test walk. The deadline for the volunteers to complete the data collection is 20th Nov 2021.

     

    Timeslot(s) for the Virtual Training Sessions:


    Nov 1, Mon 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


    Nov 1, Mon 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM


    Nov 2, Tue 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM


    Nov 2, Tue 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


    Nov 3, Wed 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM


    Nov 3, Wed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Nov 4, Thu 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Nov 5, Fri 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    Nov 5, Fri 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    Nov 6, Sat 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

     

    Timeslot(s) for the In-Person Training Sessions:


    Nov 2, Tue 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union


    Nov 3, Wed 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)


    Nov 4, Thu 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)

    Nov 4, Thu 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Nov 5, Fri 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)

    Nov 5, Fri 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Nov 6, Fri 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Attached Files: 

  6. Information Needed to Establish a Framework for the Project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    The following email was sent by Sterling Laylock to Dhruvaraj Gambhire & Ali Feroz Khan.

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

    We greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet with you today. Please find below the list of information we'll need to establish a detailed framework
    for our pilot project and pricing for full approval.

     

    We've also agreed to meet each Thursday at 4:00pm central time which will serve as our weekly meeting. There will be an exception
    to next week's meeting which will be held on Wednesday Nov 10th at 4:00pm.

     

    Building Site: Astronomy Building #0300

    Weekly Meeting Time: Thursday's 4:00-5:00pm Central

    Tasks Prior to Test Date:

    1. Test Site Floor Plan Analysis
    2. Determine Test Site Design
    3. Develop Project Protocols
    4. Establish Sampling Method
    5. Select Sampling Types, Origin Points + Intervals

    Tasks Post Test Date:

    • Lab Testing
    • Data Reporting
    • Recommendations
    • Business Case Analysis

     

    DATA and QUESTIONS: 

    Required items are highlighted in BLUE**) [note the color is not displayed on the icap portal, instead the items are starred (**)]

    Additional items are necessary, however they can be addressed later in the project timeline.

    1.     Please provide PDFs of the full floor plan layout drawings for the entire building. Be sure to include 
    square footage for each room and common areas. It is also very important to identify operable windows, if any? ** 
    (current/anticipated occupancy assumptions would be helpful)

    2.     What are the Astronomy Building's normal hours of operation? **

    3.     What is the air filtration rating for the spaces? MERV :: HEPA

    4.     Make/Model, age, specs and replacement/upgrade history of the existing HVAC system?

    5.     Make/Model and full specifications of the portable air purifiers expected to be used or are
    being used in the building.

    6.     Please identify all HVAC zones in drawings.

    7.     How many air-changes per hour is the HVAC system currently providing?

    8.     What are the basic assumptions for outside air intake to aid in dilution/ventilation for all interior spaces.

    9.     Please include weather assumptions for heating and cooling the interior spaces along with outdoor temperature and humidity estimates.

  7. Preliminary notes on sustainability art

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Art Displays

    Emily Dickett, iSEE Sustainabiltiy Intern, compiled the following notes on sustainability and the arts:

    Art and sustainability (activesustainability.com):

    • Sustainability present in many aspects of everyday life

    • Art is a vehicle of expression

    • Nature is one of the most common things pained

    • Nature is one of the oldest things pained

      • Landscapes in old chinese ink, drawings on ancient egyptian tombs

    • Sustainability and art can increase interest in nature/sustainability

      • Make people question norms

    • New trend of Land Art - communicate sustainability messages through the materials used and their impact on the environment

      • Ex: sculptures out of plastic

      • Promote conversations and change

    How Artists Are Incorporating Sustainability Into Their Work | Yale Sustainability

    • Artwork is interpreted individually, different for each person

    • Sustainability in artwork gives people the chance to think critically about their own roles in climate change

    • Sustainability in artwork can pose an issue in a different way

      • Learn new issues through art

    • Art is symbolic and memorable

      • Make sustainability ideas stick!

  8. Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Establish a Net Zero Waste Plan and Policy

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met on Wednesday, November 3 to prioritize recommendations for this semester and plans for next semester. The team has decided to move forward with a drinking water campaign to recommend by the end of this semester, and the committee will break out into sub-teams for the upcoming semester based on several other working recommendations. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Energy iCAP Team October Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Utilities Master Plan for Energy Production and Distribution

    The Energy iCAP team met on Friday, October 29th to discuss the proposed plan to construct a micro-modular nuclear reacter on campus. Several guests were invited to speak about the pros and cons of the issue.

    Meeting Recording

    Helpful Links

    UIUC News Release on MMR

    MMR Link 1 - MMR Link 2

    Podcast about MMR at Illinois

    Opinion by Dr. Bruce Hannon on MMR at Illinois

    UIUC Utilities Master Plan

    UIUC Energy Master Plan

    Attached Files: 

  12. October Transportation iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike
    Walkability Study
    Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC)
    Fleet Replacement Plans

    The Transportation iCAP team met on Friday, October 29th for its monthly meeting. The team discussed the plans for the proposed Commuter Program, the Walkability Audit, and the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee. Additionally, steps will be taken to pick up the Fleet Replacement Recommendation and the EV Task Force Member Recommendation.

    Meeting Recording

     

    Attached Files: 

  13. Weekly Update: Busier than expected; Kids' Bikes Giveaway

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, I jinxed it. I said we’d be slower last week sine it rained a lot but then people kept showing up. Finished up a bike for Wednesday or Friday and it didn’t sell immediately, so looks like demand is waning a little.

    This week I’ll work on doing preliminary checks/sorting of Kids’ Bikes for our giveaway. I also ordered a rebuild kit for each of our truing stands, which’ll help get those back in good working order. I’ll get those installed this week as well.

    I’ll also poke around on the LGL database as to why it is not registering new membership forms.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 31
    Sales: $281
    Tires/tubes: 6 for $35

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  14. Waste Reduction Challenge Wrap-up

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Campus Sustainability Month

    Good morning! First, we would like to congratulate you on completing the second annual Waste Reduction Challenge. You should be extremely proud of yourself for your dedication to tracking waste, whether it was all four weeks or just one. We hope this challenge opened your eyes to the amount of waste we generate and that you use what you learned going forward in your everyday life.

    As promised, later this week we will send an email with raffle winners and statistics on how we did as a group in reducing our waste. To stay connected with fellow participants and be reminded of all things sustainability with U of I, sign up for the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment newsletter. Also, join the Waste Reduction @ Illinois Facebook group! The group has over 100 members and is the place to communicate and share ideas with fellow sustainability rockstars.

    In addition to the Facebook group, check out these links to participate in sustainability activities and continue learning more:

    ·        Sign the "Use the Bin Pledge" - pledging to always use the recycling bin!

    ·        If you are on the Illinois campus, check out our Greener Campus Certification opportunities (for offices, events, and Greek chapters)

    ·        Watch the new (brief) sustainability training video - and take the survey afterward!

    ·        Read the iCAP 2020

    ·        If you missed any of the information throughout the challenge, here is a folder with all of the links and guides.

    ·        Monday, November 15 is America Recycles Day! How will you celebrate? We'd love to see you at the monthly iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition series from 6 - 7 PM on Zoom. Sign up here.

    Again, big congratulations on completing this month-long challenge. Attached is a guide with tips on going forward from here. This is just a starting point! Continue trying to live as sustainably as possible and set a positive example for your friends and family members. Remember, "we don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly" (Anne-Marie Bonneau).

    If you have not already done so, please submit your Week 4 Google Form and grid as soon as possible. As always, please feel free to continue to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or feedback. We look forward to interacting with you on the Facebook page, via email, and at future events!

    Have a great week and thanks again!

    Emily (iSEE Sustainability Intern) and Meredith (iSEE Sustainability Programs Manager)

    Attached Files: 

  15. October 22, 2021 Illini Lights Out Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    The second Illini Lights Out event of the year was held on Friday, October 22nd, 2021. There were about 100 more volunteers than last time, with the total number of volunteers coming to 185 people! Volunteers shut off 3266 light bulbs and saved 5634 kWh of energy, 4 metric tons of CO2, and $474. Thanks so much to the volunteers who made this possible!

     

    The next Illini Lights Out event will be Friday, November 12th at 5:30pm. Students, sign up at the link below and meet at the Foreign Language Building lobby!

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehaxolPWKdnvOVe2T61XcjXHrL16oC...

  17. Urbana Campus Spill Containment Exercise on Tuesday

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rainwater Management

    F&S, the Division of Public Safety, and the Champaign Fire Department will conduct a spill containment exercise on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 2. Event organizers will place the dye in storm drains near the university's oil storage tanks on South Oak Street to simulate a large oil spill from the fuel farm during this year's mock scenario. The exercise is required annually by the U.S. EPA.

    November 2, 8 am • South Campus and the Embarras River Watershed

    Bill Walsh • Facilities & Services

    Urbana Campus Spill Containment Exercise on Tuesday

  18. "How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress
    Food Waste Reduction

    True food circularity must include waste reduction on the agricultural and consumer sides. Don't miss this third iSEE Congress webinar on "Circular Food Systems," with Brian Roe, Van Buren Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State; and Tom Theis, Director of The Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago. Register here >>>

    November 3, 12–1 pm • Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    "How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?"

  20. Design for America Meeting

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

    Meeting 10/29/2021

    Present:  Anisha, Ananya, Pooja and Stacy Gloss

    The project idea that the students would like to pursue is Making connections between pollution and people – focused on smart phones, tablets, computer e-waste generated by students. The student group may consider various technologies in their project: laptops, gaming consoles, wearable tech.

    They will research:

    • Material Sourcing  / ethical sourcing  (What are major parts/tech of smart phone and how they are produced? Conditions? Environmental Impact?)
    • Manufacturing / Ethical production
    • Transportation
    • Sales
    • Purchasing frequency/habits/thoughts: What do students think about environmental impact of technology when purchasing technology?
    • End-of-product-life (what happens to products after their use?) – What do people think happens? What really happens?
    • Other considerations: data centers

    Project members may reach out to people in the community who are already knowledgeable about recycling to such as:

    For the next meeting the DFA group should be prepared with the specific research questions they want to answer by conducting this research and their thoughts on research methods --- these questions should inform their approach for the project and related initiative they will want to develop. They will also review the Zero Waste  iCAP portal page for resources. https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/themes/zero-waste

    Research Methods:

    Question:  Are there any special considerations (for example IRB) for DFA students to create a survey for campus on how often students purchase / throw away / recycle smart phones? Are there any processes that need to be followed within ISEE to do this research?

    Other questions:

    Is there a recycling coordinator on campus that has any data about e-waste on campus?

    Potential things to consider

    The group will think about how they want to visualize their project for impact. Students also are open to the audience at this point – could include campus and off-campus audience. Off campus audience members could be the Champaign County Climate Coalition.  Interactive presentation could be set up in a community location like a library. The students could present their project to an iSEE committee – like Zero Waste and Resilience.

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