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Project Updates

  2. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello Tracy, 

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

    • Continued my efforts to find out who in the area can provide glass recycling service. See the attached document for what I’ve learned so far. It looks like we are on track for the time being, as Midwest Fiber has agreed to continue to accept drop-offs from Housing. I have a phone call coming up this week with Michael Olinger at Housing; they may be willing to pick up glass from the Wounded Vets Center and possibly other buildings. I will confirm this when I speak with Michael. 
    • I collated a list of LEED buildings on campuses in Urbana, Champaign, Bloomington, Normal, Springfield, and Decatur. If need be, I will find contacts at the buildings to inquire about how they handle glass recycling. Given that Midwest Fiber is willing to continue the arrangement with Housing, it is unlikely that I will need to follow up. I identified a vendor who carries rectangular recycling bins for glass collection and will continue to look for others who do. I’ve inquired with you and Morgan about whether to coordinate my efforts with iBuy and will do so if appropriate.
    • Updated battery recycling information on the iCAP Portal and uploaded the attached file to the pages for rechargeable and single-use recycling. Contacted Call2Recycle for information about what the U of I parent ID number is used for. Once I find out, I will update the iCAP pages if necessary and will follow up with Steve Breitweiser with updated instructions for the F&S website.
    • Continued developing program materials for the glove recycling program on campus. I had a phone call with Kimberly Clark representatives, who are working on a list of chemicals that gloves may have been used with prior to recycling. Once I have that list and instructions from you regarding the trailer at the Physical Plant, I will forward materials to Anna Barnes so she can create web pages and PDFs to support program implementation.
    • I have contacted a potential volunteer at ISTC who had expressed willingness to help transport gloves from labs and other sites to the trailer. He volunteered over a year ago, when Bart Bartels was still here, so I have reached out to see if he is still willing and able to assist.

    This afternoon, I will continue my work on mapping trash bins around campus and will send you and Morgan as much as I complete today. I plan to fully complete the task over the Labor Day weekend. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

     

  5. Purchasing analysis of paper and recycled-content underway

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recycled-Content Paper Policy in CAM
    Zero Waste iCAP Team

    Morgan Johnston and Hursh Hazari met to review the FY15 paper purchases by academic college.  Hursh is going to add some analysis about the costs associated with switching to a minimum of 30% recycled content paper.  He is also going to take the draft purchasing policy proposed to UA (attached here) and modify it to meet UIUC CAM standards.

    Attached Files: 

  7. discussion to add solar PVs at Idea Garden Shed

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar PVs at Idea Garden

    The Idea Garden committee, with the UI Extension, continues discussions about adding rooftop solar to the Arboretum Garden Shed hear the Idea Garden.  Last year, Idea Garden representatives worked with Masters of Energy Systems students to consider potential design plans.  The final scope of the desired solar PV project is still to be determined. One likely option is to use solar to power the light in the shed, and use the existing campus electrical grid to provide other power needs, such as winter heating.

  8. Meetings with Building Experts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Usage Report

    With the finalized format of the energy report card and the compiled major events documented in Facilities and Services’ records, Ms. Morgan Johnston, Ms. Barnes, and I scheduled meetings with facilities staff who have the most knowledge about how each building works. This week, we talked to Ms. Mylinda Granger, Ms. Pat Malik from Disabilities Resources and Educational Services; Mr. Greg Anderson from Temple Hoyne Buell Hall; and Ms. Carol Young, Ms. Kari Cooperider, and Mr. Steve Hess from the Business Instructional Facility. They shared important information and wanted to help share the report with building occupants.

     

    Next step is to revise the draft report cards based on these meetings. In the next few weeks, more meetings will be scheduled.

     

  11. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, most notable thing last week: Everyone was very good about leaving in a timely manner. Two or three times the stands were empty and staff were cleaning up with a solid 10 minutes left for open hours. That was a pleasant surprise.

    The bulk of the LTN lights arrived last week. I will have a volunteer this week get a tally on total units received. Todd, TBP volunteer, came and picked up scrap on short notice, which was very helpful.

    Sales were good. Overall: $1,163.50; 2 refurbished bikes for $310; 3 B-a-Bs for $174; 6 memberships for $180; and 12 tires/tubes (used and new) for $131.

    This week I will build bikes, work on organization, and did I mention building bikes? There has been a strong demand for them. And while I love selling bikes, the retention rate on B-a-Bs is getting better, I think. The majority still abandon them but there have been a considerable number of people who stick with it and express an enjoyment and interest in working on bikes because of it. That’s a win in my book.

    This week I will also meet with Parking and UIPD about abandoned bikes on campus.

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  12. Weekly update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello all,

    Here are my updates from last week:

    • Battery recycling information in the iCAP portal has been updated to reflect the change from the dual rechargeable/single-use recycling program to the unified program offered through Call2Recycle. I have a note out to Morgan and Joy to double-check accuracy.
    • I’m continuing work on the glove recycling program materials. I got answers to questions I sent to Fisher and now await answers from Kimberly Clark.
    • As you know, CRI’s new owner (Midwest Fiber) does not offer glass-only recycling pickup service. I have to call and/or email them to see if they will continue to accept drop-offs. I have also started calling local waste haulers and recyclers to see if any of them offer glass recycling pickup or drop-off. I have contacted 4 so far; 2 do not offer service, and 2 are seeking more information and will call me back. I have 8 more on my list to call. I will also look into what other campuses in Central Illinois are doing to manage that part of the waste stream.
    • I referred the Ashton Woods resident who is wanting expanded recycling service to Joe Glass at Housing, per your recommendation.

    Sincerely,

    Marya Ryan

    Zero Waste Coordinator

  13. Report Card Layout Finalized

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Usage Report

    During this week’s meeting, Ms. Johnston, Ms. Barnes, and I finalized the layout of the energy report card. The front of the card consists of 3 graphs -- annual energy consumption from 2008 to 2017, monthly energy consumption of the most recent fiscal year 2017, and annual potable water consumption from 2008 and 2017. Notable events (such as retrocommissioning) associated with changes in trends are also included. The back of the card consists of 3 sections -- building systems, iCAP goals & current progress, and future actions.

     

    Meanwhile, I went through documents obtained from Facilities & Services regarding major projects in each of the 10 buildings. Next week, we will meet with building managers to discuss some questions about specific building systems.

     

  14. Most of the planting complete

    Associated Project(s): 
    LAR Native Plants

    This project is ongoing, but all milestones in the SSC grant request have been met. Purchases of additional plants were made in multiple batches, and they have been added to beds on the south, east, and north sides of LAR in addition to the shared courtyard between LAR and Allen Hall. There are a few plants that still need to be planted, but most are in the ground at this time.

     

  15. Total campus GHG Emissions FY08-FY16

    Associated Project(s): 
    Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reports

    Greenhouse gas emissions are generally categorized into three “scopes.” Scope 1 consists of emissions resulting from on-campus activities that we have direct control over and includes combustion at Abbott Power Plant, fleet emissions, and agricultural emissions. Scope 2 consists of emissions resulting from purchased electricity, which we have a moderate degree of control over. For example, we could reduce Scope 2 emissions by entering into power purchase agreements with low-carbon energy sources such as wind farms, biomass power plants, or nuclear power plants. Scope 3 consists of other emissions that occur off campus as a result of campus activities; these include commuting, air travel, solid waste, and the effects of purchasing goods and services.

    This metric is the total of the three scopes.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Archived info - SSC marketing subcommittee info

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

    Here are the tasks we need to focus on starting with the highest priority.     1st Web Development. http://ssc.union.illinois.edu. The website looks pretty nice but its content is lacking particularly in the projects page. There are pictures missing for many completed and under construction projects (I am currently working on that).      2nd Encourage more people to work on working groups. The more people involved in the process the more of an impact the committee will have on campus.      3rd Have more people, particularly students, submit proposals      4th Have the committee be known throughout campus. I would be willing to do some research to see what percentage of the school knows about it now to measure our effectiveness.      If you know anyone who is interested in social media, photography, videography, or writing, please encourage them to join.     I hope to see everyone soon,   Marlon Mueller-Soppart

  17. MTD Newsletter for August 2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support the MTD Bus System
    Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE)

    Welcome to MTD's Fall 2017 Service Year

    MTD’s 2017-18 service year began yesterday and new Maps & Schedules books are now available on our buses and at Illinois Terminal. Pick up yours today & let us know if you have any questions-just call 217.384.8188 or email us.

    In addition to a few timetable and routing adjustments, our passengers and the public should be aware of several larger changes this year: MTD has moved to a Designated Stops system, Round Barn Road in Champaign is now the main transfer point for routes in west Champaign, and MCORE project work will continue to cause reroutes in and around Campustown.
     
    School trips for Unit 4 and District 116 middle and high schoolers will begin this Wednesday, August 16, and just prior to University of Illinois classes beginning Monday, August 28, all summer service reductions will end on Friday, August 25. 

    See you soon on the bus, trail, sidewalk or at Illinois Terminal!

    Introducing Designated Stops

    MTD's Fall 2017 Service Year began on Sunday, August 13, 2017, the same day our new Maps & Schedules book went into effect. 

    One major change this fall is the introduction of system-wide designated stops. Several Open Houses were held to solicit input from the public, and MTD staff compiled and incorporated the comments into our planning process. A full list of designated stops locations and maps are available at cumtd.com in our "Documents" section under Designated Stops Fall 2017.

    We're here to help you with this new system. To find or verify your nearest designated stop, give us a call at 217.384.8188 or send us an email. 

    State of the (Illini) Union

    MCORE Project work in front of the Illini Union is progressing and reroutes are ongoing. Follow MTD on Facebook or Twitter for reroute information & updates, like this drone footage from Overhead Ag.

    Illinois Terminal Expansion Announced

    Developer Hans Grotelueschen’s major downtown Champaign project once sited at Washington and Walnut streets will move several blocks south and east to merge with a planned expansion of Illinois Terminal by the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD).

    As part of a new vision for this development, Grotelueschen and MTD officials are also evaluating a hockey arena and athletics event center for approximately 5000 spectators. In so doing, they hope to partner with the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA), which recently announced that it was studying the feasibility of adding Division I ice hockey. Read More>

    In the News

    Did you happen to catch MTD Grant Manager Jane Sullivan's Getting Personal piece in yesterday's News-Gazette or WCIA's recent story on Operator Goodrich? We're proud of our people! Take a few minutes to learn more about who drives MTD. 

  20. Weekly Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, last week was fairly busy. We had a few days wherein there was extended waiting times for free stands. We had been averaging about 100 people in the space per week but this week we were at 117, and I’m sure there were half a dozen who we missed. As it nears the Great Student Migration we’ll see more and more visitors.

    Sales: Overall: $1,661.20; refurbished bikes: 6 for $860; Build-a-Bikes: 2 for $220; memberships: 4 for $120; tire/tubes (new and used): 20 for $117.

    On Friday a Bike Project volunteer and I went to the warehouse and picked up about 20 bikes for refurbishment, 3 of which were Neutral Cycle rental bikes that were mistakenly confiscated. I coordinated with their manager to return them. As I was leaving the warehouse two college-aged kids walked up asking if they could “get a bike for $10”. It was a little suspicious.

    This week I will process and hopefully build up a lot of the bikes we pulled from the warehouse. With more and more people returning to campus, demand for bikes is ramping up. On the one hand, when we are low on for-sale bikes, it curbs the entitled customer corporate/retail space idea that a lot of people have when they come here. On the other hand, less bikes available for people who want to ride is definitely a bad thing.

    I plan to deactivate our “One Free Visit For One Small Repair” policy this week, as demand for stands and space is approaching its yearly zenith. This was successful last year and was agreed upon at the last Bike Project meeting. I’ll reinstate One Free Visit sometime in October when we are no longer operating beyond capacity.

    Sincerely,

    - Jake Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Manager

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