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Project Updates

  1. Meeting Notes - 9-18-2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Green Lab Program
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam

    The iCAP Working Group met and discussed the following items:

    1.     Welcome to New Members

    2.     SWATeam Updates

    3.     Green Labs Program Update

    a.     Overview of Green Labs Concept

    b.     History of SWATeam Recommendation and Assessment

    c.      Green Labs Best Practices From Peer Institutions

    d.     Open Issues for Discussion

    Attached Files: 

  4. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Tracy—

    Here are my zero-waste activities from the past week: 

    • Contacted battery recycling locations for updated permissions to post drop-off locations on the iCAP portal and F&S website. Updated the iCAP portal in line with the responses I have received thus far.
    • Sent drafts of glove recycling program materials to Morgan, Anna, KC representatives, and Fisher representatives to review for accuracy and feedback. 
    • Followed up on leads for resources to transport gloves to the trailer at the Physical Plant. 

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  5. Call To Recycle Program Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling

    These are the Call To Recycle battery recycling program results, from 2012 to August 2017.

    Attached Files: 

  6. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Illini Lights Out
    Green Lab Program
    Eco-Olympics

    The Energy Conservation and Building Standards SWATeam gathered for the first meeting of the FY2017 on September 12. The team briefly reflected on the progress made thus far (e.g. Zero Net Growth policy was passed in 2015 and a 30% campus-wide energy reduction goal was achieved 3 years early). Updates on current projects were also presented, such as on the new leadership of the Illini Lights Out program. 

    Attached Files: 

  7. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was fine. The student workers are getting into the swing of things. Those that were away for the summer are remembering how everything works and that in turn makes them a more helpful. Our suspension of “First Visit Free” has been received well; most people are amenable to the membership fee, even if they only have a very small repair. Only a couple instances of people complaining and they leave unhappy but on the whole I consider it a success. We’ve had a lot of people who’ve had to wait significantly for stand time even with the membership-required policy. It’s unfortunate, but also speaks to our success and the demand for the space. I’ll count it as a positive and a negative both.

    Visitors for the week: 154

    Last Friday we had a good-sized ride from the CBC totaling about 8 or so people. This time of year is especially well-suited for riding, which I hope translates to more interest.

    Last Tuesday was the first Fix-a-Flat class that Simon and Lily ran. From the both of them, it sounded like a success. This week 12-14 people have signed up, most appear to be grad students (not a bad thing).

    This week I will continue to publicize and talk up LTN as well as print off some basic text fliers for the event to hand out in advance. Funnily enough the younglings with their smartphones have been asking for fliers for the event! I’ll build bikes and organize, per usual, as well.


    Sales (overall): $1,533.10
    Bikes (refurb): 0 for $0 (we have two for sale!)
    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $143
    Memberships: 24 for $720
    Tire/Tubes: 47 for $283

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  8. RainWorks Challenge announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    EPA RainWorks Challenge

    From: King, Matt [mailto:King.Matt@epa.gov]
    Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 3:25 PM
    Subject: Registration is open for the sixth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge

     

    Greetings,

     

    I’m an Illinois alumni at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I want to make sure my fellow Illini are aware of an environmental design challenge that may be of interest to them. Any assistance you could provide in spreading the word within the U of I communication network would be greatly appreciated.

     

    EPA just launched its sixth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a design competition that is open to colleges and universities across the country. Through Campus RainWorks EPA seeks to engage with students to foster a dialogue about responsible stormwater management, and showcase the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure practices.

     

    Registration for the 2017 Challenge is open from September 1st through the 30th. Student teams must register in order to submit their entries by December 15th. Winners will be announced in the Spring of 2018. Each first-place team will earn a student prize of $2,000 to be divided evenly among student team members and a faculty prize of $3,000 to support green infrastructure research or training. Second-place teams will win $1,000 for student teams and a $2,000 faculty prize.

     

    Water pollution associated with stormwater runoff requires infrastructure solutions that are innovative, resilient, and affordable. Today’s scholars are tomorrow’s design professionals. The Campus RainWorks Challenge will harness their creativity and knowledge to jointly advance the agency’s mission to protect public health and water quality. 

     

    Learn more at:  www.epa.gov/campusrainworks

     

    Thank you for your consideration!

     

    Matt King

    U.S. EPA

    Office of Water

    Green Infrastructure Program

    202-564-2871

     

    Attached Files: 

  11. Follow up on "parent ID" question

    Associated Project(s): 
    Battery Recycling

    The "parent" ID number for Call2Recycle should no longer be used. It was used for tracking payment as well as shipping addresses, and continued use could result in battery collection boxes being shipped to the wrong location on campus. Unfortunately, dropping the ID number means that we won't be able to obtain centralized reports of volumes of recycled batteries.

  13. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Tracy—

    This past week, my zero-waste activities were as follows: 

    • I completed mapping where all the outdoor waste bins are. I scanned in the maps, uploaded them to Box.net, and shared the folder with you and Morgan. I also created a spreadsheet with the counts of how many bins are mapped on each sheet and what the totals are.
    • I sent updated battery recycling instructions to Steve Breitweiser to post on the F&S page about battery recycling and posted related updates to the project history on the iCAP portal. 
    • I had a phone call with Shantanu Pai at ISTC regarding glass recycling and glove recycling.
      • For glass recycling, I told him that for now, Housing is willing to provide pickup service to buildings on campus. He mentioned a couple of alternatives, but they would involve the Waste Transfer Station sorting and storing glass. My understanding is that you don’t have any current plans to have the Waste Transfer Station take on that activity.
      • With regard to glove recycling, Joe Pickowitz could pick up gloves at collection sites and transport them to the trailer at the Physical Plant. However, ISTC would need to charge for his time. I will follow up with you and Morgan about whether that is a possibility and if so, how it would be paid for. 

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

     

  15. Meeting 8 September

    Associated Project(s): 
    Agriculture, Land Use, Food, and Sequestration (ALUFS) SWATeam

    The ALUFS SWATeam had its first meeting of the year, during which the scope of the teams' focus was reviewed. Because of the range of topics, the team decided to narrow down its focus for the year, particularly on the university's farm properties, nitrate sampling, and best management practices.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Article: Eco-Olympics builds on success and seeks new leaders

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Eco-Olympics is a competition focused on bringing hall residents together to make environmental changes that make a lasting impact on the community. Hall-based teams compete with each other in energy reduction efforts. Teams get points for energy reduction per resident as well as the number of residents that sign up, number of events held, social media posts, and how many people attend each event. 

    Link to the article: http://housing.illinois.edu/News/EcoOlympics

    Attached Files: 

  17. Article: Cyclists have same rights as cars

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enforcement for Safe Cycling
    Issue Press Releases and Sustainability Reports

    Parkland students may want to consider biking, as it affords them an opportunity to exercise and is an ecofriendly way of getting around. There are dangers associated with cycling though, and there are laws that must be followed to ensure your safety while cycling.

    Link to the article: http://www.prospectusnews.com/2017/09/06/cyclists-have-same-rights-as-cars/

    Attached Files: 

  18. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was a blur! According to our sign-in data, we had 277 visitors. That seems high but numbers don’t lie. We were pretty much all-stands-full within the first half an hour. Unfortunately that means some members have had to wait for stands to work on their build-a-bikes. Nothing we can do about that, unfortunately.

    The numbers:
    Sales (overall): $1,867.60

    Bikes (refurbished): 1 for $180
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $46
    Memberships: 26 for $780
    Tires/tubes: 47 for $244

    This week sees the beginning of the fix-a-flat class that Lily has shepherded into existence (Thanks, Lily!). I already have told people about that to much positive interest. There also is a community ride happening in the middle of the week that I will attend. I will also help with LTN preparations this week. A couple new student workers are starting this week, too, which will be good.

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  19. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Tracy—

    Here’s what I was up to this past week: 

    • I’ve come very close to finishing the maps of the trash bins, with just 3 of the 14 sheets left to wrap up next weekend when I’m back in town again.
    • I talked to Michael Olinger at Housing. They are willing to pick up glass for recycling from the Wounded Vets Center and other buildings when we are ready. I introduced Michael to Nick Osborne at Wounded Vets via email so that Michael can arrange a site visit. Midwest Fiber is charging $80/ton for glass drop-offs. Michael will consult with Dawn Aubrey about what the expectations would be for cost sharing on the part of buildings that Housing picks up glass from. As we work through setting up Wounded Vets, I am writing up a process for setting up buildings with glass recycling so that it can be replicated as we add more buildings.
    • I learned that it’s best if we don’t ask units to use the Call2Recycle site ID when they order battery collection boxes. It could muddy the waters with regard to who is responsible for payment and where the boxes would be shipped. Therefore, the instructions in the iCAP portal are fine as they are. This coming week I will send them to Steve Breitweiser so he can update the F&S page on battery recycling.
    • The potential volunteer for transporting gloves from labs to the trailer referred me to Shantanu Pai. Shantanu had to postpone our call this week, so hopefully, I will learn more from him this coming week about who may be willing to help with transportation. I learned that over the summer, Michael Olinger had sent a trailer load of gloves to Kimberly Clark. 

    Best regards,

    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

     

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