You are here

Content filtered by visibility: Public

Project Updates

  2. Dump and Run for Spring 2022 is Cancelled

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

     

    Below is an email from Morgan White describing that the University YMCA plans to only conduct Dump and Run in the fall.

    This led Morgan, F&S, & Housing leadership to decide to delay their version of spring collections until the full-time Zero Waste Coordinator has been hired.

     

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

    From: White, Morgan

    Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2022 8:24 AM

    To: Johnson, Bryan Lloyd; Kuehl, Mark A; Hiser, Daniel William; Patterson, Shawn L 

    Cc: Boehm, David ; McKay, James; Sealine, Alma R; Varney, Peter W; Kamarah, Ehab 

    Subject: RE: Dump and Run - arranging a meeting

     

    Hello everyone,

     

    Thank you for your patience and willingness regarding the UIUC collaboration with the University YMCA on the Dump and Run. 

     

    This year, the Board and Leadership of the University Y made the decision to only do Dump and Run in the fall.  In 2021, they had arranged a fall-only collection, followed immediately by a sale in August at the Stock Pavilion.  As they reviewed the impacts of that fall-only sale compared to the collection efforts and impacts for the spring collection and fall sale, they decided to focus solely on the fall sale from now on. 

     

    Following that news, I spoke with F&S and Housing leadership, and we agreed that it would be best to delay our own version of spring collections until the full time Zero Waste Coordinator has been hired.  This search is approved, and we hope to have a new employee who will report to Pete Varney (and try to fill Shantanu Pai’s shoes) in the next few months.  That person will then work with us to develop an appropriate solution for keeping gently used materials (clothes, books, etc.) out of the landfill during move-out week.

     

    Thank you all very much, and we will be in touch as plans develop for a spring 2023 collection.

     

    All my best,

    Morgan

    ======================================

    MORGAN B. WHITE

    Acting Director of Capital Programs

    Associate Director of F&S for Sustainability

    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  7. April 29, 2022 Illini Lights Out Data

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    At the April 29 Illini Lights Out event, 3,742 light bulbs were shut off, saving $542.86 in energy costs. This also prevented 4.58 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from the consumption of 515 gallons of gasoline. That's a big impact!

    Illini Lights Out is a certified Green Event! Click this link to learn how to green-certify your own event.

    Friday was the last Illini Lights Out of the semester, but it will return in the fall! Sign up for the iSEE newsletter or follow iSEE on Instagram or Twitter to find out about fall event dates.

  8. Introductory conversation with Prairie Research Institute (PRI)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Transportation iCAP Team

    On May 2, 2022, F&S staff and the Transportation iCAP Team representatives met with Prairie Research Institute (PRI) to provide a background to the iCAP objective of Fleet Replacement Plans. The PRI team was very interested in this project, and confirmed that they will have discussions internally about how to move forward. Sarthak Prasad will follow up with PRI in July for any update.

    Here is the recording from this meeting: https://uillinoisedu-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/sprasad9_illinois_...

    Also attached is the F&S Fleet plan and the transcript from this meeting.

    This meeting was attended by:

    Sarthak Prasad (host), Morgan White (F&S), Pete Varney (F&S), Ria Kontou (CEE, Transportation iCAP Team co-chair), Jeff Stein (PRI), Shari Effert-Fanta (PRI), Alan Dudley (PRI), Adam Deany (PRI).

    Attached Files: 

  9. Weekly Update: New staffer, Friday Rides

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Friday—warm weather and a Friday—meant a busy day. Rest of the week was slower. A new staffer started last week, which was a great help.

    This week looks warmer so we’ll be busier, likely. Will get some bikes finished and do some more onboarding with new staff. We have a weather radio and a regular radio here now to communicate with DCR staff as needed.

    Our Friday Ride events concluded last Friday with a decent showing and a ride to Meadowbrook and back. I’ll gauge staff interest in keeping them going this summer and we’ll definitely look to restart them in Aug/Sept when students are back full-time.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 53
    Sales: $866
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $340
    Memberships: 7 for $210
    Tubes/tires: 23 for $141

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  10. Walkability audit: Spring 2022, Meeting 10

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On Thursday 28th April, 2022, Sarthak and Sutapa met to discuss the results of Phase 2 data collection of the Walkability audit.

    The highest and lowest scoring map blocks have been updated as well as the individual category scores according to the new data received by the volunteers.

    Please see attached spreadsheet.

     

    Results:

    • Highest scoring map blocks: 1,7, 9, 12, 13
    • Lowest scoring map blocks: 19, 23, 24
    • Overall Walkability Index of campus: 76.2/100

    The final results and recommendations will be presented by Sutapa on 3rd May, 2022.

     

  11. This Week in Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Carbon Capture

    ISTC researchers recently validated a system that can achieve up to 95% efficiency in CO₂ capture, significantly reducing the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants. The research team tested the technology at Abbott Power Plant. 

  14. Engagement iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team Recommendations Summary

    The Engagement iCAP Team had their final meeting of the semester on Friday, April 29. The team met with Shachar Meron, senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising, to discuss iSEE's partnership with the ADV 498 Capstone Course. The iCAP Portal & iSEE Jobs Dashboard were also discussed. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Developing PCI Targets document and comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    Implement Energy Standards

    Attached is an article that details the development of Performance Cost Index Targets.

    Below are comments made by Tom Keller on the article:

    Comments:

    • Out of Date Reference - The referenced items are from early 2016 and reference ASHRAE-90.1-2013. These are not our current codes/standards and Appendix G has changed since 2013.
    • UIUG Goals - 25% new construction and 20% major renovation (for UIUC Standard facilities) is indeed appropriate. It was developed in a collaborative effort with the UIUC stakeholders and analyzed by qualified professional to be reasonable and considerate of our goals. Is someone (possibly UES) suggesting that we should lower the efficiency goals?
    • Standards – The standards were not developed completely by me. These standards were developed in a highly collaborative effort and analyzed by qualified professionals (including myself) to be appropriate and practical.
    • They are for the most part currently assigned to Morgan and myself.
    • Personal Agendas/due diligence – Please further clarify this. I have not found this to be true (quite the opposite in fact). Can you provide specific examples of this?
    • TJK comment – A single consultant (IMEG) and a single non-standard project (Undergrad Library) have expressed/had difficulty with meeting the goal. On one occasion IMEG was indeed able to comply and be within the project established parameters (DIA – Ubben). For UL, a proper variance was approved for 17.4% in lieu of full 20% based mainly on the archival special processes.
      • NOTE – Based on this, Jim S. and I collaborated on “scrubbing” the standards (assigned to me) this round. We did find some confusing wording that was clarified and may help the consultants (IMEG) in the future. This was also collaborated with Morgan W., Rob R., and Scott W. (as I recall).
    Attached Files: 

  18. April 2022 TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series

    Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, hosted the iSEE April TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series around the topic of environmental messaging and policy on April 19th at 7pm. The presentation is attached.

    The TED Talk: Eco-Edition series is designed to unite campus and community members for a passionate, respectful, and thought-provoking dialogue about a certain aspect of sustainability. We hope that everyone is as energized by this talk as we are, and ready to engage in another open conversation! Grab your favorite snack and get comfortable! Topics and hosts vary each month.

    TED Talk: "Your Brain on Climate Change" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKVjZ7Dy5E

    Attached Files: 

  19. Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Achieve Zero Waste

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met for their final meeting of the semester on Thursday, April 28. The team finalized drafting a recommendation on updating the Campus Administrative Manual's Waste Minimization Policy and set potential objectives for the upcoming academic year. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Achieve Zero Waste

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met for their final meeting of the semester on Thursday, April 28. The team finalized drafting a recommendation on updating the Campus Administrative Manual's Waste Minimization Policy and set potential objectives for the upcoming academic year. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

Pages