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Project Updates

  3. Lead acid battery recycling, Surplus electronic battery recycling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Single-Use Battery Recycling
    Address Electronic Waste (e-waste)
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling
    Battery Recycling

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren
    Sent: Monday, August 14, 2023 9:37 AM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    Hi Jen,

     

    Follow up - the Waste Transfer Station does not track how many lead acid batteries are collected across campus and picked up by Interstate, so I have reached out to Interstate to see if pickups are something they track.

     

    Thank you!

    Daphne

     

    Daphne Hulse (she/her)
    Zero Waste Coordinator
    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    +1 (217) 333-7550 | dlhulse2@illinois.edu

    https://fs.illinois.edu/zero-waste
     
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    Please consider the environment before printing an email. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure.

     

     

     

    From: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 10:24 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    In other words, we generate revenue from recycling the lead acid batteries and then use that revenue to purchase new lead acid batteries. Is that correct? That’s great!

     

    Thanks for following up with Surplus. Once I hear back from you I will reach out to Seema.

     

    Jen

     

    From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 10:03 AM
    To: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    More info on the batteries: the lead acid batteries that are taken to the cage on the west side of WTS are then given back to Interstate Batteries as a refundable core deposit. This is often mandated by state legislature. Lead acid batteries are used in vehicles (so our Garage is a big producer of these), and the cost of purchasing new lead acid batteries covers the cost of returning them for recycling. So these are one type of battery currently successfully being recycled. I’ll see if WTS keeps a record of weight on this, to know how much we are recycling.


    I will follow up with Surplus to see if they have any idea how many electronics batteries they are sending to Secure Processors, the vendor that accepts these kinds of batteries for recycling.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

  4. State of Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Notice of Funding Opportunity Released

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    Greetings Everyone,

     

    I am very pleased to announce that the FFY2024 Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities have been posted!

     

    Here’s a link to the news release:  https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2023/07.26.23-IEPA-GIGO-NOFO-Final.pdf

     

    Please plan accordingly, as all applications are due by noon on October 18, 2023.  Illinois EPA will be hosting a technical assistance session specific to these NOFOs on August 15 at 1:30.  It’s not required, but it may be of help, especially with the new application process.

     

    Please see the news release for additional details and links directly to the GATA Portal.

     

    Regards,

     

    Jeff Edstrom

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

    Hi Quinn,

    Please look into the funding opportunity below and let us know the short version.  I’d like to know timelines for the applications, funding level possible to request, and what type of projects could we seek funding for.

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

    Hi Morgan,

     

    The submission close date is 10/18/23 at 12:00 pm.

     

    Funding Level:

    “GIGO utilizes funds distributed by the State of Illinois generated under the Build Illinois Bond Fund. Illinois EPA expects to award a total of $10,000,000 and anticipates distributing this amount across four (4) to twenty (20) awards. GIGO has a set maximum total grant award of $2,500,000 with a minimum grant award of $75,000. No more than 25% of the program total, per funding cycle, shall be allocated to any one applicant or project. GIGO is a reimbursement program. The grantee must perform the work, pay project costs, and submit an invoice with supporting documentation before Illinois EPA will reimburse the grantee for any approved eligible costs. Illinois EPA shall only make reimbursements to the grantee and shall reimburse the grantee no more frequently than monthly.”

     

    Projects that qualify for funding:

    Bio infiltration

    Retention/Infiltration

    Detention Pond Creation/Retrofit

    Wetland Creation/Modification

    Floodplain Reconnection

    Watershed-Wide Projects

    Rainwater Harvesting

    Downspout Disconnections

    BMP Design and Construction

     

    Here is the link for the information and details.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Quinn M. Connolly

  7. Veo Cosmo-e feedback form, Pilot extended

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Share with Veo

    Veo Cosmo-e pilot feedback form has ended. The preliminary results shows support to bring the Cosmo-e to the campus, and the pilot has been extended into the fall semester. We will review the comments in more detail over the next few weeks and publish the final report.

  8. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - August 9, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Michael, Sarthak, Morgan, and Quinn met to discuss the 2010 iCAP objectives dashboard.

    For Michael:

    • [DONE] The individual objective pages' prev/next buttons need their text to wrap
    • Some Objectives are showing the wrong project updates
    • [DONE] The chapter choices on the 2015 need to be revised or removed
    • [DONE] Do not include chapter choices on the 2010 dashboard (for now, unless they're rearranged to support chapters)
    • [DONE] Add a choice for jumping back to the full dashboard for the objective

    For Quinn:

    • (DONE) Pick associated projects
    • (DONE) Also, review the metrics for potential connections - do your best

    For Sarthak:

    • Calculate numbers from percentages

     

  9. LoadMan status update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Track Waste from Frontload Trucks

    From: Hiser, Daniel William <dwhiser@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:54 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: Truck Status June 15

     

    (31270-21) The part was installed, the part had the wrong software, the part was sent back to them, then they sent it back with the correct software and now it needs re-installed.

    (31272-11) The truck and software is functioning

     

    Thank you,

    Dan

    217.300.8545

  10. LoadMan truck status update - sent to Dan and Daphne every 7:00PM CST

    Associated Project(s): 
    Track Waste from Frontload Trucks

    From: john@loadman.com <john@loadman.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 7:00 PM
    To: Hiser, Daniel William <dwhiser@illinois.edu>
    Subject: Truck Status August 08

     

    Hi Dan,

    Truck

    Truck Name

    Meter

    NoGps

    Loads

    GPS

    On/Off

    Missed

    Neg

    Product

    Status

    Front Load Landfill

    31272-11

    134096

    0

    32

    428

    2

    0

    0

    PRODUCT UNKNOWN

    		  

    New Truck

    New Truck

    137607

    0

    0

    0

    2

    0

    0

    		  

    No GPS and no loads

     

    Column definitions and actions:

    • NoGPS is the count of lift records missing GPS coordinates. Lifts without GPS can’t be assigned to a customer by location
    • Loads is the count of lift records
    • GPS is the count of truck location records, typically recorded every 20 to 30 seconds
    • On/Off is the count of meter power on and power off messages
    • Missed is a load that was weighed while lifted but the empty container wasn't weighed when set down because of the fork angle
    • Neg is the count of lifts negative by more than 100 lbs. A high count indicates a calibration problem
    • Status is a summary of what the counts mean.
      • Blank means no problems detected
      • No Loads means that no lifts were recorded.
      • No GPS means no GPS coordinates were recorded
      • Missing GPS means more than 10% of loads lacked GPS coordinates.
      • XX% negative loads is lifts/neg when the result is greater than 10%
      • No truck locations means that lifts have GPS coordinates but the truck isn’t recording location records
      • No GPS and no loads means the truck is connecting but not sending data

    “No Loads” means that truck didn’t record any loads during the route.

    For “No Loads” and “XX% negative loads”, call Richard at 206-898-7801 and have a bubble level to see if the problem can be fixed with calibration. Richard may diagnose a problem that could require your dealer to make a service call to fix it.

    For “No GPS” or "Missing GPS", get in the cab of the truck and locate the GPS antenna (a black plastic magnet-backed square about an inch on a side and ½ an inch high) and ensure that it is plugged in and near the windshield so it is exposed to the sky and not covered up by something. You can also go into troubleshooting mode and go to TROUBLE GPS which will display the number of satellites that the meter can lock onto and the current lat/lon.

    For "Missed", the gross weight of the lift is stored in the container weight and the load weight is zero. To "repair" the record, subtract the empty container weight from earlier lifts at that location and store the difference in the load weight.

    There’s a separate table at the bottom of truck reports that indicates the last time the meter connected. If the truck is active and the meter should have connected but hasn’t sent any data, call me (John) at 425-235-4335 and I can help troubleshoot connection problems.

    jcc

  11. Foam Compacting Machine Location and Status

    Associated Project(s): 
    Styrecycle: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling program [ARCHIVED]

    On August 7, 2023 Amy Rosenbery sent the following email:

    Hi Morgan!

    I’m working on our inventory and the Foam Compacting machine that Ben purchased in 2015 is on our list.

    Do you know if this equipment went to ISTC? I don’t know who has this or where it’s located. It used to be on the 2nd floor here at NSRC but it’s not there anymore.

    Best,
    Amy

     

    On August 9, 2023 Morgan White replied:

     

    Hi Amy,

     

    That Styrofoam machine was transferred to a different non-profit in Illinois, by ISTC.  Joe Pickowitz and Shantanu Pai were involved in getting it moved form ISTC to the other non-UIUC facility.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     

    Amy replied:

    Hi Morgan!

    That’s what I thought. I found an email about it going to Community Resource, Inc. in Urbana so I looked them up and the place is permanently closed now.

    The equipment is still showing up on iSEE’s inventory.

    Thanks for your help!

    Best,
    Amy

     

  14. 8-8-23 project meets with SSC and F&S to discuss feasibility

    Associated Project(s): 
    Feasibility Research on Food Waste Biodigesters

    Attendance: Codie Sterner, Henry Markarian, Morgan White, Quinn Connolly, Daphne Hulse

    • The project passed Phase 1 of the SSC application, but did not pass Phase 2. F&S failed the project on its feasibility, because it was expected that a bioreactor would need to be purchased and installed at MicroNano.
      • The project has since received external funding for the bioreactor, and it is now in place at MicroNano. The project's equipment is spread across two rooms of the facility, and the group pays a daily rate for their equipment.
      • The scope of the project is now changing. The equipment is aquired, but the groupr requires student interns to complete the feasibility research. The group would like to compensate students for their work. A new SSC application will be submitted, with a change in how the funds would be used.
    • The project would like to next identify places to source food waste from.
      • Morgan noted that the dining halls are the only location on campus that currently have a solution for food waste, but all other producers on campus do not.
      • Daphne sent over a list of university food sources.
      • Bevier Cafe, the Grind2Energy systems, and the Student Sustainable Farm were sources identified by the group as possibly viable. Daphne will connect Henry with Bevier and the dining halls, and Codie will connect Henry with the SSF.
    Attached Files: 

  15. DRS process for battery disposal: trash, recycling, waste transfer lead acid batteries

    Associated Project(s): 
    Single-Use Battery Recycling
    Rechargeable Battery Recycling
    Battery Recycling

    From: Hill, Landon E <landon@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 4:20 PM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Fraterrigo, Jennifer M <jmf@illinois.edu>; Varney, Pete <pvarney@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: DRS battery disposal

     

    Hi.

     

    Is there something specific that you are looking for?

     

    DRS picks up most anything chemical that is requested for disposal through the campus waste management app: https://www.drs.illinois.edu/Page/RequestAWastePickup

     

    All alkaline batteries are trashed.

     

    Rechargeable batteries are recycled.

     

    Lead acid batteries are taken to the cage on the west side of the Waste Transfer Station.

     

    Landon

  17. EcoOlympics in res halls

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hi Paul,

     

    Could you send me more information on the activities in the res halls that you wanted iSEE to help fund?

     

    Thanks,

    Elizabeth

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

    Hi Elizabeth,

    Thanks for reaching out after our discussion!

    We are looking to revive EcoOlimpics (EO) after the pandemic shut it down. ISEE has been a terrific supporter in the past , providing awards, moneys to purchase the sustainable prizes for the winning hall, and even sponsoring the energy monitoring platform, a combination of these when possible.

     

    The attached is an original PPT that reflects how we got started, these efforts were collaborated with Housing and for the first few years supported by them as well. They ultimately withdrew there financial support in favor of making it 100% student led. Housing has continued to work with EcoOlympics for advertising, pushing the monitoring on digital displays and posting of posters etc.….

     

    Here is a link that shares some of our achievements and captures some of the events across campus to the  (slightly outdated) website: https://ecoolympics.wixsite.com/eco-olympics

    EO uses social media, advertising, tabling events and a host of other means to get the word out and encourage sustainable living within the dorm. Many of our officers participated as freshmen and joined the organizational team to grow and expand what they learned during the competition along with their personal/professional goals.

     

    The organization is a typical business model. Start as freshman saving energy, then join as an officer, president, treasurer, media specialist, technical specialist, outreach chair etc. These roles help students gain insight and practical use of their chosen fields and interests. As juniors or Seniors they can choose to be a director and mentor the officers if they have pursued this path during their time here.

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    The competition

    Each participating Hall creates a building captain team that motivates their residents to save energy and spread the word. We monitor consumption and create a confidential baseline that is used to compare results during the competition. The competition is anywhere from 3-6 weeks long and resolves in time for the awards to wrap up during the final week of spring semester.

    The team that scores the highest points wins the trophy and bragging rights until the next competition, and gets to choose their award. Some awards have been a catered meal for the winning hall, water bottle dispensers in FAR, trees around Allen Hall, and solar battery backup devices for

    Allen Hall was our last winning team in 2019 and they have presented the trophy until this year.

     

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    Thanks again and let me know if you have additional questions?  

    Best

    Paul Foote

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

    Thanks, Paul. What level of support are you requesting from iSEE?

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

    Hi Elizabeth,

    The $1000.00 level would be greatly appreciated and go a long way to help us get back up and running.

     

    Best

    Paul

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

     

    Hi Paul,

    Has housing agreed to be an active participant in this? It sounds like their active support will be critical.

     

    Thanks,

    Elizabeth

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

    Hi Elizabeth,

    Yes, Housing has given the go-ahead for this year’s event.

     

     

    Thank  you

    Paul Foote

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

    Hi Paul,

     

    Thanks for confirming housing’s willingness to participate in facilitating this EcoOlympics. Can you let us know who you have been coordinating with in Housing? Jen has been focused on working with them to get Sustainability training to the RAs and information in their newsletters so it would be good for her to be aware of you are working with.

     

    I also wanted to connect you Codie Sterner, the newish coordinator for the SSC. We want to make sure that we engage the multiple stakeholders on campus when programs are being planned so that we can have as much impact and participation as possible.

     

    Thanks,

    Elizabeth

  18. Monthly Meeting with Jake

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    On 08/07/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh had a monthly meeting with Jake.

    Meeting Notes:

    - Actively promoting Bike Registration to students or commuters visiting and using the Campus Bike Center.

    - Campus Bike Center should have printer QR code sticker/ flyer for Bike Registration.

    - Bike Friendly Application will be submitted on 08/08/2023.

    - Light the Night Event near Ikenberry Hopkins Hall and ARC.

    - Bike Lights including the screw fitting types will be used for the events.

    -  Bike Safety Quiz is recommended to be promoted by the Campus Bike Center.

    - Merchandise purchase order is placed.

    - How to use Outdoor Pumps video can be made by the Campus Recreation marketing team.

    To do for Sarthak:

    - Find out Campus Bike Center Built-up area for UIC recommendation.

    - Try to get the merchandise before August 20th for the Campus Bike Center events.    

  19. Weekly Update: Calm before the storm, getting ready

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, These days feel like the calm before the storm. Starting to get phone calls and emails from families and folks looking for bikes as they plan to come to town. We’ll sell out of our supply of bikes before the semester begins, if past demand is any indication.  We’ll work on getting a few more B-a-Bs prepped and ready to go, as demand looks to increase in the absence of refurbished bikes.

    I’ll be out of the office Wednesday – Friday this week. My staff will cover open hours on those days.

    The numbers:

    Sales: $572
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $345
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Tires/tubes: 6 for $43

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  20. 8-7-23 overview of F&S-specific logistics for tailgate recycling program

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tailgate Recycling
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    Attendance: Shawn Patterson, Dan Hiser, Daphne Hulse

    1. Overview of the tailgate parking map
      1. Planning to execute two tailgate recycling events this semester:
        1. An early game in September, using one roll-off dumpster in Lot 31.
        2. A later game in October or November, potentially expanding to a second roll-off dumpster in Lot 32 (E-14).
      2. All dumpsters will always be staffed by volunteers. A F&S Safety & Compliance tent will be used for the September game.
      3. All dumpsters used will have banners to identify recycling only, as well as yard signs to discourage them from becoming general trash sites.
      4. Dan noted that Lot 31, Lot 32, Lot 33, and Lot 49 are some of the busiest to keep in mind for the future.
    2. Blue bags
      1. DIA parking lot supervisors will hand out blue bags.
      2. F&S will provide the blue bags, with information stapled to each.
      3. What will happen to all the bags left at lots where tailgaters did not drop them off at the roll-off dumpsters?
        1. Blue barrels line all the tailgating lots. They may end up heree.
        2. The F&S frontload truck on Sunday morning pick-up may grab them.
        3. The DIA flat-bed stake truck may pick them up.
        4. In any case, all blue bags will make their way to the south bay of the Waste Transfer Station.
    3. Waste operation from Dan's perspective - Sunday morning
      1. 2 frontload trucks (holding 3yd dumpsters) will have two people walking in front, dumping blue barrels
      2. 1 roll-off truck, that goes to dump the 2 roll-offs at the corner of the horseshoe. Places a new empty roll-off on the east side of Memorial Stadium. Tippers inside Memorial Stadium drop off inside trash into the empty roll-off. This process moves to the west side of Memorial Stadium.
      3. Green recycle truck goes with a crew of two people who tip the blue barrels, just as the frontload does (the teams split all the work).
      4. DIA has a flat-bed stake truck used to pick up the blue barrels.
      5. DSC does not work on weekends, so all trash is put into the south bay, and dealt with on Monday morning (in addition to campus' usual trash on Monday). Because of this, not all of the recycling is going to get sorted out. It's too much to deal with at once. They do their best!
    4. Grange Grove
      1. 20 Coca-Cola bins placed here, near entrances to Memorial Stadium. Can have volunteers here who are engaging with passers-by and encouraging them to recycle.
      2. Dan, Shawn, and Daphne will see the bins on Friday 8/11 when they are delivered and determine the best course to dumping them when they are full. Don't know how this will happen currently, as these bins are not tied to a truck type that F&S has. May consult the DIA for assistance.

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