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Project Updates

  2. SECS rep met with F&S staff about a green roof

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Roofs on Campus
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

    Alec Van Patten met with Brent Lewis, Betsy Liggett, and Morgan White to discuss the SECS' idea to get a new green roof on campus.  F&S staff shared some lessons learned from other green roof installations, and suggested some potential locations.  These include:

    • Newmark Civil Engineering Lab - first floor roof by the bridge
    • Nick Holonyak Micro & NanoTechnology Lab - closed picnic balcony on the north side
    • National Soybean Research Center - gravel roof by iSEE conference room
    • Turner Hall - the north entryway and offices
    • Future Arboretum Building - longer term and influential
    • The SECS team should review Google Maps and look at roofs they are interested in, if they want to consider other options.

    We also mentioned the ECE green wall, which needs help getting refurbished.  It most likely needs better watering and possibly needs a review of the soil quality.

    For the funding, the SECS is likely going to request SSC funding in the spring semester.  Brent says they can request pricing info from LiveRoof.com to get an estimated budget.

    Once a location is selected, Alec will email this group to move into the preliminary approval stage.

  3. iCAP Portal project entries

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    We would prefer to keep the ability to add new projects to a very limited few people.  Instead of giving Liz access to add a project, let’s get a quick process to add them upon her request. 

    1)      Please email me, Meredith, and Sarthak with a short project description, and the proposed new iCAP Project location in the hierarchy. 

    2)      Meredith and/or I will confirm the placement in the hierarchy.

    3)      Sarthak will add a blank private project as a placeholder and email you.

    4)      Liz or anyone in the SSC with access will fill in the project information and change it to public.

      ~Morgan

  6. Energy Model Files

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Models for Campus Facilities

    I looked at 6-buildings and we received two (2) native energy files. We did get four (4) PDF energy model files.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Tom

     

    Thomas J. Keller, PE,

    CxA, LEED-AP-BD+C

    Mechanical Engineer

     

    Engineering & Construction Services
    Facilities and Services

  7. Background Discussion on Local Sustainability Issues

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

    ICAP Objective 8.4 Background Discussion between Stacy Gloss and Ximing Cai 9/28/2021

    Related Tasks and Deliverables

    • 8.4 [iSEE] Take leadership in addressing the most pressing sustainability challenges in our local communities through collaboration with local governments and related community groups, by forming an advisory panel for coordinating efforts across jurisdictional boundaries. By FY24, select at least three major local sustainability issues to address and identify lead agency and key stakeholders.
      • Coordinate an initial meeting with the new advisory panel to share current campus efforts and learn about local governmental efforts
        • Deliverable: meeting notes from advisory panel discussion posted on iCAP Portal, by 3/15/22

    Meeting Notes

    Planning for the objective (procedural):

    1. Stacy should summarize identified major-issue topics and present to resilience committee 
    2. The committee may discuss the topics and select 3 priorities aligned with objective 8.4.
    3. In parallel, members of the committee should identify potential collaborators for the advisory panel on sustainability topics.  
    4. The committee will write a recommendation for the iWG as part of committee work.  (Also note, is it possible for the panel to meet before the iCAP sustainability committee submits a recommendation to the iWG?)

    Major Sustainability Topics in our conversaton were identified that bridge Campus, Champaign, Urbana, Savoy & County

    Climate Change Adaptation

    • Urban growth and development (city managers, county execs, economic development agency to be involved)
      • Smart growth / how do we grow questions: looking forward two – three decades – worsening climate change, coastal flooding likely means an influx of new residents into communities like C-U, especially if we are adding jobs along the lines of manufacturing, medtech, and agtech, not just part of the University and current large employers (like health care)
      • Addressing current environmental issues in communities: local neighborhood flooding, addressing existing pollution from past industries.
    • More extreme heat days, heat waves, and heat risks (would need to include county emergency mgmt. agency & health department, social safety net programs like weatherization)
      • Cooling centers
      • Resources for low-income or under-resourced residents
      • Adapting to protect health
    • Dealing with more and heavier rainfalls
      • Green infrastructure plans, water management, green roofs – shared resources & plans between campus and cities

     Renewable Energy & Resource Sustainability:

    • Renewable Energy Development (climate change mitigation)
      • Develop case studies & share best practices:
        • Solar
        • Wind
        • Bioenergy (self note: set up a visit with the energy farm to learn more)
    • Waste and Recycling:  reducing landfill waste, increasing recycling, saving energy and resources  (resource sustainability)
      • Industrial
        • E.g. hospitals, manufacturing plants
      • Commercial
        • Incorporate green office practices
      • Campus practices

    Sustainable Agriculture (identify additional stakeholders, like Farm Bureau, Land Connection)

    • Biodiversity
    • Cover crops
    • Addressing nutrient loss
    • Water quality
    • Bioenergy / perennial grasses like to renewable energy sources
    • Food systems: from ag to production to distribution to consumption
    • Ties to South Farms for best management practices related to ag, water, and air quality – as a lab
    • Land use considerations (and regulations at federal, state, and local level

  8. Meeting on Coordinated Rainwater Management Plans

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

    Green Infrastructure Initial Meeting 9/29/2021 9:00 am

    Present: Brent Lewis, Betsy Liggett, Stacy Gloss

    ABOUT

    • 8.2 [F&S w/Extension] Coordinate rainwater management plans for the entire urbanized areas of Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and the university. Starting in FY21, share the total number of green infrastructure locations on the iCAP Portal on an annual basis.
      • Initiate discussions about development of rainwater plan
      • Compile green infrastructure locations in Champaign, Urbana and Savoy.
        • Deliverable: iCAP Portal map of known green infrastructure locations by 3/15/22
      • Propose a process and scope for developing the coordinated rainwater plan
        • Deliverable: white paper describing process and scope

    NOTES

    Introductions: Betsy works for F&S in safety and compliance, manages stormwater permit MS4. Brent is campus Landscape Architect

    Topics discussed: Campus MS4 water permit, EPA compliance. Sustainability items are built into MS4 permit now.  Compliance & Sustainability are coinciding.   Regarding Campus Green Infrastructure – challenges to adopting green projects, especially when they are viewed in terms of costs but not benefits

    Existing resources: 

    • University has mapped watersheds;
    • A Landscape Master Plan in progress, will contain some elements of green infrastructure, but is not a utilities plan for Stormwater;
    • Champaign County Stormwater Partnership for MS4 permit (includes leaders from the County, Urbana, Savoy, Champaign, Champaign Township, EPA, Soil & Water Conservation District, Prairie Rivers sometimes)
    • Extension has been involved in previous discussions about rainwater plans, Eliana Brown and Lisa Merrifield
    • Urbana is working on a Stormwater Master Plan (Tim Cowan, public works director is the contact)

    Green Infrastructure Maps on Portal currently:

    Next Steps

    • Stacy attend Oct 20 green infrastructure & erosion control conference   
    • Follow up with meeting Oct 25
    • Garner support for Campus Stormwater Master Plan
    • Contact Julie Cidell about GreenMap

  9. Vision Zero Meeting

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

    iCAP 8.6 Vision Zero Meeting 9/29/2021 

    Present: Sarthak Prasad, Stacey DeLorenzo, Stacy Gloss

    Background: 8.6 [F&S] Support Vision Zero as a county-wide goal for safe and sustainable transportation.   Coordinate with Professor Benekohal, the City of Urbana Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC), and F&S Transportation Demand Management to identify actions needed to support Vision Zero  Deliverable: white paper identifying key steps needed by 11/15/21

    Sarthak and Stacey shared details about Key existing organizations:  Urbana BPAC, CUUATS, Campus Transportation Demand Management, and CTAC.

    Off campus staff would participate on a Vision Zero taskforce if it forms, would provide input ona Vision Zero Action Plan, continue to represent campus at BPAC and at CUUATS.

    Community contacts were identified.

    Potential next steps:

    • Sarthak set up meeting with Dr. Benekoha and Stacy Gloss for updates
    • Set a meeting to discuss white paper discussing tasks for supporting Vision Zero
    • Reach out to Vision Zero to discuss a Vision Zero Campus Designation – Can this be made real?

  11. Green Jobs Introduction and Background Meeting

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

    10/5/2021

    Present: Stacy Gloss and Eric Green

    Background:

    8.5 [iSEE] By FY23, collaborate with colleges and community groups to inventory existing certification opportunities for green jobs and identify gaps.

      • Review findings from student research about green job opportunities
      • Assist iSEE staff to complete this inventory
        • Deliverable: provide inventory content to iSEE communications team by 1/31/22
        • Deliverable: update iCAP Portal inventory page with link to iSEE page by 3/15/22

    Meeting Notes:

    Stacy and Eric discussed a wide range of topics related to green jobs including the background and tasks related to iSEE 8.5.  Connection was made that Objective 8.5 is linked by category of “green jobs” to:

    iCAP Objective 6.4 - “Develop a sustainability internship program through partnering with businesses, nonprofits, local government, and cultural institutions in Central Illinois. The total number of internships awarded will be reported each year.” The responsible campus unit for championing this objective is iSEE. Progress is tracked in the iCAP Portal project page for the Sustainability Internship Program

    iCAP Objective 6.5 ““Partner with The Career Center and potentially other career offices in FY22 to help students explore and discover career opportunities that are connected to professional interests and goals related to sustainability. Incorporate a sustainability component at a minimum of two events beginning in FY22.” The responsible campus unit for championing this objective is Career Center with the support of iSEE. Progress is tracked in the iCAP Portal project page for Sustainability at Career Fairs.”

    In Spring 2021, Carissa Mysliwiec was as ENVS 491: Campus Sustainability Intern who worked with instructor Eric Green to focus on designing a sustainability internship program as part of Objective 6.4.

    In our discussion we talked about high-level barriers to internship programs:

    • Interns need significant guidance
    • Pay is an issue, who will pay $3,000 - $4,000 for a summer intern?
    • Businesses don’t always identify sustainability needs 

    We also discussed the challenges of identifying green jobs for the purposes of a creating a green-jobs fair or a sustainable jobs fair. What identifies green jobs? This topic should be explored further.  Talk to SECS, perhaps? How are students defining green jobs today?

    During the conversation Stacy pitched an entry-level paid program (post-graduation internship?) to be staffed for 1-2 years by recent graduates to help organizations build capacity, set targets and meet goals. This would be full-time work in lower-level/entry-level positions that serve as a spring board to sustainability careers.

    Stacy presented a Green Certifications Excel document she started working on.  Next steps would be to ask for campus & community input to answer questions such as:  Are these certifications offered here @UIUC or locally?  Who from campus is involved, can be a contact, or serve as a resource? What kind of jobs do people get with the certifications? Who hires locally? How do we prevent locally trained folks from leaving, what incentives are there to stay once advanced certifications are achieved?

    Eric will see if there are any students that might want to do some of the legwork involved in bolstering the green certifications list.

    We'll stay in touch and set up a meeting for about a month from now.

  12. archived info - previous project info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reusable Containers

    Previous Title: Reusable Dining Options

    Previous Project Description: The Zero Waste SWATeam is interested in pursuing reusable service options for campus facilities which serve food at any capacity. This particularly applies to to-go options.

    A to-go option using reusable containers will be implemented this fall in University Housing Dining at three locations: Lincoln Avenue Dining, Illinois Street Dining and Ikenberry Dining.  

    Previous Project Background: 

    As stated in the iCAP 2020, 

    "Objective #5.3 ensures that items used on campus-particularly at large events- are durable, repairable, and reusable, and that they contribute to our university-wide culture of reuse."

    This project is aligned with the goals of cultivating a zero waste culture on campus. Food is an enormous portion of the human experience, and rather than eliminate it, the Zero Waste SWATeam hopes to shift the paradigm towards the sustainable future the University of Illinois is planning. By providing opportunities for students to utilize reusable containers and participate in a reusable dining program, it will not only yield measurable reductions of single-use items in the waste stream, but will also bring sustainability to the forefront of each participant.

  14. E-Waste Handling on Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)

    Below is a response to the UIUC Science Policy RSO's request for more information on how UIUC manages e-waste.

    Hello Grant. Your email inquiry was forwarded to me, since I was involved in ISTC’s past projects related to sustainable electronics and electronic waste, as part of my role working on zero waste issues in the ISTC Technical Assistance Program. From my experience on those projects, I understand that unwanted or non-functioning electronics enter in the University’s surplus property system (commonly referred to as “Surplus,” and part of the overall university property accounting system), so they may be redistributed on campus (if they’re still functional). Note that any functioning computer is required to be “scrubbed” of data before transfer for possible redistribution. Anything not redistributed within the University goes to the State of Illinois’s Central Management Services (CMS) department, where the items might be redistributed to other state agencies or to the public via an auction system called iBid. There used to be a program in place called “Computers for Schools” through which functioning electronics were available to schools at no or minimal cost for reuse within IL schools, but to my knowledge, that program ended several years ago and I’m not sure if it has ever been  revived.

     

    At any rate, after items have gone through this process for potential redistribution, the State of IL contracts with an electronics recycler to responsibly manage the non-functional and remaining functional devices.

     

    I checked the iCAP portal, and it seems as if this all is still the general procedure, though some of the information on that iCAP page is old and potentially out of date (e.g. the reference to the “Computers for Schools” program—see https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/address-electronic-waste-e-waste. I also checked the UI Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS) website regarding disposal of unneeded equipment to see if my understanding of electronics disposal procedures are still current—see https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/dispose-of-unneeded-equipment and https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/remove-data-from-electronic-devices, which instruct staff how to dispose of unwanted equipment. See https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-12-property-accounting/transfer-equipment-to-another-unit for an overview of how items might be transferred from one University unit to another through the property accounting system; a more direct explanation of the “Surplus” warehouse is available at https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/equipment-management/surplus-warehouse-operations/.  

     

    At the time the ISTC electronics-related projects I worked on were active, the electronics recycler that the State of IL worked with was Secure Processors in Flora, IL. Checking the IL CMS website, it looks as if that is still true, but additionally New Star also recycles some of the UI system electronics—see https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/agency/recycling/Pages/E-Cycle.aspx. Secure Processors used to be R2 certified, though it doesn’t look as if they currently are—see https://sustainableelectronics.org/r2/ for more information on the R2 standard and https://sustainableelectronics.org/find-an-r2-certified-facility/ for the ability to search for certified electronics processors in IL and other regions. It’s possible that the CMS page referenced above, which I just found through a Google search, is out of date. There are contacts listed on that page who should be able to tell you if the information there is still accurate. You can also check out the Secure Processors website at https://www.secureprocessors.org/ and the New Star website at https://www.newstarservices.org/work/e-recycling/?doing_wp_cron=1633452094.7661879062652587890625 to learn more about their processes/practices. New Star appears to incorporate vocational training as part of their electronics recycling operation.

     

    I have copied some individuals who are directly involved in campus sustainability and waste management, who might clarify whether the procedure I’ve outlined is still accurate, and can provide accurate information about related campus efforts to divert or reduce electronic waste and other forms of waste. Morgan White is Associate Director for Facilities & Services (F&S), Sustainability, and can provide insight into all campus initiatives and policies that pertain to sustainability.  Meredith Moore is the Sustainability Programs Manager for the Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE) and along with Morgan, can provide information about the Illinois Climate Action Plan, campus sustainability month activities, and the various campus Sustainability Working Advisory Teams (SWAT; https://sustainability.illinois.edu/campus-sustainability/icap/swateams/), including the Zero Waste SWAT. Sydney Trimble is a student member of that Zero Waste SWATeam, and she also works as a waste and recycling intern for F&S. See https://fs.illinois.edu/services/waste-management-and-recycling for more information on waste and recycling on campus; for future reference, you can direct questions on campus waste management issues to recycling@illinois.edu.

     

    I’m a bit out of the loop in terms of current researchers on campus who work on ewaste issues, since the ISTC Technical Assistance Program is not focused on sustainability for the UI campus, but instead assists clients through the state of IL and beyond. Meredith Moore can probably assist you in identifying campus researchers, or get you in touch with other contacts on campus who could assist you in this regard. I can tell you that my ISTC colleague, Jennifer Martin, works on issues related to reuse and recycling of renewable energy technology—see her contact info at https://directory.illinois.edu/detail?userId=jm33@illinois.edu&widgetId=47 if you’re interested in learning more about that.

     

    I hope this helps! Best wishes,

    Joy

     

    JOY SCROGUM
    Assistant Scientist, Sustainability
    LEED Green Associate

    Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP; formerly ISSP-CSP)
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Prairie Research Institute

    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC)

    217.333.8948 | jscrogum at illinois.edu
    www.istc.illinois.edu | www. prairie.illinois.edu

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyscrogum/
     
    https://webtools.illinois.edu/webservices/js/ds/signature_logo.png

  15. Adding Projects

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Upon Sarthak Prasad's request to give project addition privileges to Liz Mendoza-Hernandez, Morgan White laid out a process to add projects upon Liz's request.

    1. Email Morgan, Meredith, and Sarthak with a strong project description, and the proposed new iCAP Project location in the hierarchy 

    2. Meredith and/or Morgan will confirm the placement in the hierarchy. 

    3. Sarthak will add a blank private project as a placeholder and email Liz. 

    4. Liz or anyone in the SSC with access with fill in the project information and change it to public. 

  17. Weekly Update: Bike Center tours; Green Quad Day

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Starting to slow down a bit. This week’ll be absolutely perfect riding weather: cool but not cold. Still get folks asking for bikes every day—yet to get any 4’ 11” folks or 6’ 3” racing folks for the tall and small bikes we have, though. We’ve got 3 more that should be for sale this week sometime. Soon, we’ll be having the “it’s too cold to ride” conversation with people. No bad weather, just bad gear and so on.

    Had a class come by on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to tour the Bike Center and I talked about our operations, history of CBC, and the like. Always nice to get people into our space who might not otherwise have reason to visit.

    Last week I talked with Parking about the remainder of the bikes at the warehouse. I’ll make a trip out there this week to see if there’s anything worth our trouble.

    A gentleman came in looking for a small pin for his vintage brake levers and was able to find a workable solution in our used parts bins. He generously donated $10 for his 10 minutes of digging while bemoaning that regular bike shops could only offer to replace the brake levers outright. A happy customer who understands and appreciates our value and services—always a good interaction!

    This Thursday is the Green Quad Day event, from 10  - 4p. Will be good to get our name out there with other environmental/sustainability efforts on campus.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 64
    Sales: $1,052.60
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $440
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 10 for $76

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  18. Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month in October!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Campus Sustainability Month

    iSEE invites you to a series of events throughout October to increase sustainability in our campus community. Take part in the Waste Reduction Challenge, join us for Green Quad Day (Oct. 7), or check out the first Student Sustainability Summit Research Symposium (Oct. 26)! And don’t miss the Campus Sustainability Celebration on Oct. 20. Find all the events on iSEE’s Sustainability Month Calendar!

    October 1–31

    Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month in October!

  19. iSEE Requests 'Campus as a Living Lab' Seed Fund Proposals; Deadline Nov. 9

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE funding for Campus as a Living Lab (CALL)

    iSEE is calling for proposals to support interdisciplinary research projects that tie directly to Illinois Climate Action Plan objectives. The funding enables development of preliminary data and collaborations with campus sustainability sites and projects; and preparation of external funding proposals through the Institute. Deadline Nov. 9.

     

    iSEE Requests 'Campus as a Living Lab' Seed Fund Proposals; Deadline Nov. 9

  20. Clarification for SSC Composting Project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Avery Maloto reached out to Meredith Moore to ask "I have written down that 'composting' is one of the projects you wanted for the SCC poster for the iSEE table at Green Quad Day. Would this project fall under "Vermicompost" or another project?" Meredith explained that vermicomposting is a different project and provided Avery with some NSRC Composting photos that can be found in the attached link.

    https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/compost-national-soybean-research-center-nsrc

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