You are here

Content filtered by visibility: Public

Project Updates

  1. ZW002 Join NERC Government Recycling Demand Champions - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    Aaron Finder, Assistant Director of the Purchasing and Contracts Management office, sent the following email on 2/9/22:

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

    Hi Meredith,

    I have met with NERC a couple time to get a better understanding of NERC and its Government Recycling Demand Champions program. Their Director, Lynn Rubinstein, and I discussed membership levels and the Purchasing and Contracts Management Office will join NERC as a “Supporting Member.”

    Through our membership with NERC, we will also have the ability to participate in 4 active committees:

    1. Plastic & Paper Recycling Markets
    2. Bottle Bill Committee (Charge more for plastic at purchase but receive money back if you recycle)
    3. Glass Committee
    4. Organics – End Markets (Compost)

    There will be limitations on how many participants we can invite to committee meetings or NERC conferences, but Lynn did say I could include at least one committee member (i.e. Tim Stark or Zero Waste Coordinator) if we participate in any event.  

    After we become members, we will become a  State Recycling Organization Advocate within the Government Recycling Demand Champions program. This means we will commit to helping publicize the program and promote purchasing of products with post-consumer resin to their members and the public. While we are developing our EPP Guide, this seems to be the most appropriate classification.

    I’ll let you know once our membership dues have been paid. I’m also sharing a couple documents Lynn provided.

    Let me know if you have any more questions.

    Thanks,

    Aaron M Finder, mba cppb

    ==========

    For future updates, see State Recycling Organization Advocate NERC project page here. 

    Attached Files: 

  2. ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Beckman Cafe Reusable Containers
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Reusable Containers

    Dr. Jeff Moore, Director of the Beckman Institute, responded to Morgan White, Associate Director for F&S for Sustainability, with the following email on 1/18/22:

    "Thank you, Morgan and Jennifer.  We'll discuss this at our next meeting.  On first glance, it looks like a prudent practice to follow."

    See iWG assessment and transmittal of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here.
    See recommendation and submittal of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here.

    For future updates, please refer to the Reusable Containers project

  3. Big Ten & Friends Network Event, Exploring University Sustainable Lab Certification Programs

    Associated Project(s): 
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability
    Green Research Committee

    The following email describes an online session about various Green Lab Certification Programs.

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

    From: Vandenbergh, Lydia Bodman
    Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2022 8:35 AM
    To: Vandenbergh, Lydia Bodman
    Subject:BTAF Sustainable Lab Programs Presentation and Discussion - Feb 24th

     

    As Higher Education Institutions develop their Climate Action Plans, one opportunity repeatedly arises: culture change in our approach to research. The US Department of Energy estimates that lab buildings consume anywhere from three to ten times the energy and water of administrative and classroom buildings and generate high amounts of single use plastics and hazardous wastes. One question is, how to change the culture without compromising the integrity of the science? 

     

    Members of the Big Ten and Friends Network are encouraged to join together on February 24th at 11am EST to learn how three universities are promoting change in their campus labs using three variations on a green lab certification program.  

    • Ken Keeler, from the University of Michigan, will kick off the meeting describing the University’s decade-long successful program that combines a lab self-assessment and staff visit. Over 200 labs have worked through this program, but it requires substantial staff time. Ken will describe their exploration to tap efficiencies.  
    • Next is Tim Lindstrom, who leads the University of Wisconsin at Madison Green Lab Program, which is similar to the Michigan’s assessment model, but integrates a student internship component to support the labs’ efforts. 
    • University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Nick Ciancio will showcase his four-year effort collaborating with MyGreenLab’s certification program, a unique pilot that UAB is eager to expand. 


    The session will conclude with time for discussion with the panelists. Please register to join in this inspirational presentation and exploration of culture change.  

    Register here  

     

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information to join meeting. We are purposefully limiting the invitation to BTAF’s members to encourage a fruitful discussion, but we will record the session and make it available to share with other colleges and universities.  

     

    Lydia

     

    Lydia Vandenbergh (she/her)
    Associate Director of Employee Engagement and Education
    Sustainability Institute

    Penn State University

    The Pennsylvania State University campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations.  As a land grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.

    Check out our programs:
    sustainability.psu.edu/greenteams
    sustainability.psu.edu/greenpaws

     

  4. Zero Waste Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Large-Scale Food Waste Composting

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met on Wednesday, February 9 to discuss the several recommendations in the works, including: Plastic Reduction in vending machines, Composting Commitee, Adopt a Highway/Drain, Food Literacy Project, and Sustainable Receipt options. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  5. December 2021 TED Talk: Eco-Edition

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

    Ainsley Hanner and Hatoon Bashanfar, co-chairs of the Society of Women Engineers Illinois Diversity Committee, hosted the iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition on December 9 from 6 - 7 PM. The discussion focused on diversity and representation in the environmental movement and activism. The presentation of the event is attached. 

    TED Talk: Diversity Builds a More Resilient Environmental Movement (Charles Orgon III) 

    Attached Files: 

  6. January 2022 TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series

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

    Sakshi Vaya hosted the iSEE January TED Talk: Eco-Edition around the topic of sustainability and equality in education on Monday, January 24 from 6 - 7 PM. 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: The Dream of Educating Afghan Girls Lives On (Shabana Basij-Rasikh) 

    Attached Files: 

  7. Jan. 28, 2022 Illini Lights Out Data

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    At the January 28 Illini Lights Out event, 2,781 light bulbs were shut off which saved $403.45 in energy costs. This also prevented 3.4 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, which is as much as the average car would emit from driving 8,544 miles. 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.

    The next Illini Lights Out event of the semester is Friday, February 11th at 5:30pm, and you can sign up for that event using this link if you haven't done so already. 

  8. ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program - Transmitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Beckman Cafe Reusable Containers
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary

    Following the completion of iWG assessment for ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program, the recommendation was transmitted to Dr. Jeff Moore, Director of the Beckman Institute. 

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

    Hello Dr. Moore,

    The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) Working Group (iWG) recently reviewed recommendation ZW004 from the Zero Waste iCAP Team (formerly known as a SWATeam) to implement the use of reusable dining containers. The iWG discussed this and recommends that Beckman Institute implement the option for reusable containers, as was done at Bevier Hall and University Dining.  Please see the details included in the attached iWG assessment and Zero-Waste iCAP Team recommendation.  

    There are several advocates for reusable containers on campus, and a group of them met with the Zero Waste iCAP Team last July.  The notes are available online at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/zero-waste-icap-team-reusables-dining-meeting-notes-726 and may provide you with some initial insight into this recommendation.  University Housing’s Dining Services is an excellent resource to assist, and the iWG and Zero Waste iCAP Teams are available, as well. 

    The Formal iCAP Procedures includes a section on campus unit responsibilities upon receipt of a recommendation, and we respectfully request your initial response to this recommendation by February 4, if possible.  If you have any questions regarding this recommendation, we are happy to arrange a zoom call. 

    Sincerely,

    Morgan

    =========

    See iWG assessment of ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program attached.

    See iCAP Team Recommendation ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program here. 

    Attached Files: 

  9. Weekly Update: Restocking bikes and parts for sale

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, With the snowstorm last week, we were closed on Wednesday but were able to reopen on Friday. Visitor numbers took a hit with a foot of snow and whiteout conditions (no surprise there). This week I’ll get some bikes from Urbana (snow derailed that plan last week). We’re down to the dregs of steel-rimmed 3 speed schwinns—bikes I’m not exactly comfortable selling in the dead of winter considering their compromised braking/stopping. Our donations of late have all been Walmart-level, unfortunately. We’ve got about 8 bikes on the sales floor as of now.

     

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 16
    Sales: $180
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tire/tubes: 4 for $30

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  15. CR2ZW 2022 Week 1 Reporting, Week 2 Begins, Plastics Reduction Certification & More!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Race to Zero Waste

    The following message was sent on behalf of Kristy Jones, the Director of Higher Education Programs and RecycleMania Manager of the National Wildlife Federation:

    Hello Campus Race to Zero Waste 2022 Participants,

     

    Thank you for participating in the 2022 Campus Race to Zero Waste competition!

     

    The CR2ZW team is excited that so many campuses are joining us for this year’s competition. This year’s competition will be flexible; we are encouraging campuses to track your waste and report as much as you can. If you are unable to track waste on campus, please consider hosting an online education and engagement campaign during the competition timeframe. Please reach out to me anytime with questions. (respond to this email, or call 703-438-6262). Please see attached for the CR2ZW 2022 participant badge (two file formats). Please post this on your websites, and share via social media to highlight and celebrate your participation in the 2022 Campus Race to Zero Waste!

    FEATURED NEWS:

    • Week 1 ends tomorrow, Saturday, February 5, 2022
    • Week 2 begins Sunday, February 6, 2022
    • New Plastics Reduction Partner Certification Program (see details below)
    • Graduate Student Fellowship Opportunities (see details below)

     

    UPCOMING DEADLINES, AND OTHER KEY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

    • Week 1 reporting is due Wednesday, February 9. Check out the 2021-2022 calendar for upcoming deadlines. To report for Week 1, go to ReTRAC log-in at https://connect.re-trac.com/login and click on Week 1 report. Be sure to click Complete and Save at the bottom of the report.
    • Week 2 begins Sunday, February 6 through Saturday, February 12. Reporting for Week 2 is due, Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
    • New Plastics Reduction Partner Certification Program – The National Wildlife Federation and the Campus Race to Zero Waste are excited to announce the launch of a new certification program for colleges and universities taking action to reduce the purchase and use of plastics on campus.  There are three levels of certification available: Bronze, Silver and Green. Campuses will be asked to report on actions in the following categories: Building Awareness, Support Behavior Change, Assess and Implement Operational Change and Demonstrate Institutional Leadership. This is a FREE program to participate in. Participation in this program is eligible for AASHE STARS innovation credit. Learn more at Plastics Reduction Partner.
    • Graduate Student Fellowship Opportunities: National Wildlife Federation Graduate Student Fellows help to inform and strengthen NWF Education and Engagement programs through dedicated research projects. Monetary fellowship grants are awarded to graduate students working with NWF staff on research that helps to expand the content and development of a variety of efforts across NWF's Education and Engagement programs. Fellows join a national network of current and alumni fellows, many of whom have gone on to lead new businesses, agencies, and programs for sustainability all across the U.S. NWF is currently accepting applications for the six graduate student Fellowship Positions. Learn more and share this opportunity with your network.

     

    More 2022 CR2ZW Competition Resources:

     

    • Check out CR2ZW Guide: Ideas and resources for hosting an online education and engagement campaign. If you are participating in the competition online only, please choose “special category > case study competition” during registration; if you need to make changes to your registration, please reach out to me.
    • Student/Staff FTE: During registration, campuses are asked to enter in their student and staff numbers. We provide a link to a data sheet with this info; however, this information is from late 2020/early 2021, so if you have more current numbers please enter those numbers in. We can update these numbers anytime during registration. We understand that campuses may not be at full capacity.
    • Quick Links – Check out key resources and information for Campus Race to Zero Waste 2022 campus participants including the 2022 Scoreboard, downloadable templates, info on volume to weight estimates, and more. The 2022 Scoreboard will be updated with real-time report links in time for the beginning of the competition.  
    • Competition Tracking and Reporting Webinar Recording – You can watch all webinar recordings from the fall at this link. If you have any questions about tracking and reporting, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Please contact me with any questions.

     

    Thanks, take care,

    Kristy

     

  16. ABE469 Student Support on iCAP Objective 3.5 - Local Carbon Offset Program

    Associated Project(s): 
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program [ARCHIVED]

    Meredith Moore and Stacy Gloss are working with ABE469 - Capstone students in the spring 2022 semester.

    Students will obtain (be provided) green house gas emission data for this consulting project such as: .

    • Urbana GHG Air  Emissions
    • U of I GHG  Emissions
    • U of I GHG Air-Travel Emissions
    • **maybe** Champaign Emissions

    For purposes of this project, the U of I client is aiming to eliminate emissions for air travel by FY30.  This project is aimed to offset emissions by 30,000 tons per year by FY 30, related to iCAP objective 3.5. 

    The client should research the Illinois Climate Action Plan carbon reduction goals related to unavoidable air-travel.  The client would like for the consultants to analyze technologies appropriate for campus and our surrounding community; and make recommendations based on this analysis. 

    Technologies that may reduce carbon, or offset carbon on the local scale are listed below.  

    • -solar pv
    • -green roof + roof top solar
    • -solar water heating
    • -geothermal heating
    • -prairie restoration
    • -tree planting
    • -waste to energy from campus farms
    • -compost to energy
    • -water-saving measures (on the heating side reducing fossil fuel use)
    • -cold-climate air-source heat pumps for residential homes
    • -replacement of gas/diesel vehicle with electric vehicles for campus fleet
    • -deep energy retrofits – air sealing & insulation
    • -small wind turbines

    The consulting team should evaluate the scope and project size for technology adoption. Including the anticipated GHGs avoided or offset with project adoption.  What is the cost of installation, including labor costs?  Provide data about cost effectiveness, with breakdown on cost of project per pound or tonne of GHG emissions saved. The projects should be ranked with most cost effective to least effective.  Your research, analysis, and recommendations will be presented by the client to the iSEE Resilience Team and other campus stakeholders to inform a local carbon offset program.

     

  17. Walkability audit: Spring 2022, Meeting 2

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On 27th Jan, 2022, Sarthak and Sutapa met to discuss the scores of the general Walkability Questionnaire. The draft of the same was sent to all members involved in the audit. They will get back with suggestions/ corrections by the end of February when there will be another group meeting to finalize the scores.

    We also prepared an excel spreadsheet with each question and scores next to it for analyzing the data- attached.

     

    Attached files:

    1. [DRAFT] Updated scoring system- editable document

    2. [DRAFT] Scoring system and priority map

    3. Spreadsheet of General Walkability Questionnaire

  18. Walkability audit: Spring 2022, Meeting 2

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On 27th Jan, 2022, Sarthak and Sutapa met to discuss the scores of the general Walkability Questionnaire. The draft of the same was sent to all members involved in the audit. They will get back with suggestions/ corrections by the end of February when there will be another group meeting to finalize the scores.

    We also prepared an excel spreadsheet with each question and scores next to it for analyzing the data- attached.

     

    Attached files:

    1. [DRAFT] Updated scoring system- editable document

    2. [DRAFT] Scoring system and priority map

    3. Spreadsheet of General Walkability Questionnaire

  20. Energy Model for Children's Research Center

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Models for Campus Facilities

    The following email chain describes Professor Yi requesting energy data and building layout.

    Professor Yi also notes a student's report on the Children's Research Center Building (which is attached below).

     

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

    From: Yi, Yun Kyu

    Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2022 10:34 AM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Keller, Thomas Jeffery; Villanti, Joe

    Subject: Re: energy data request

     

    Hi All,

     

    Hope you had a nice break. I like to update you on building modeling.

    We have four Energyplus (DesignBuilder) models that I can share with you.

     

    I had to review the model made by students to make sure they are close to the actual building.

    Currently, I am adding detailed HVAC systems to the model that can be more realistic.

     

    Would you like to get access to the file? I can share the folder with you all. Also, would you like to discuss the next step?

    Here is one of a report done by a student. 

     

     

    Best

    Yun

     

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

    On Oct 19, 2021, at 9:06 PM, Yi, Yun Kyu wrote:

     

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Thanks to your help, today my class was able to site visit the new Campus Instructional Facility building and new Mech. building.

    Here is a photo of today's visit. Students learned a lot today and I got great feedback today.

     

    Also, I like to discuss some findings from initial energy modeling.

    The BNAACC building is one of the buildings that we are analyzing the energy consumption data. While we compare meter data to energy consumption from simulation results. We observed that the electricity meter is projecting energy consumption exponentially higher than what an average building of such size should be consuming.

     

    I am not sure this building is still in calibration on meter data or something but I will advise having the meter checked. If you need I can send you some of our findings or talk further on this.

     

     

    Best

    Yun

     

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

    On Aug 12, 2021, at 11:53 AM, Yi, Yun Kyu wrote:

     

    Hi Morgan,

     

    It will be good to get basic drawings like floor plans, elevations, and more specific drawings like HVAC schedule, zoning, section detail, etc.

     

    Many thanks

    Yun

     

     

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

    From: White, Morgan

    Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 10:19 PM

    To: Yi, Yun Kyu

    Cc: Keller, Thomas Jeffery; Villanti, Joe

    Subject: RE: energy data request

     

    Hi Yun,

     

    I need to know what building documents you are seeking.  What specifically do you want to see?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     

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

    MORGAN B. WHITE

    Associate Director of F&S for Sustainability

     Facilities & Services | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

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

    From: Yi, Yun Kyu

    Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 12:48 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Keller, Thomas Jeffery; Villanti, Joe

    Subject: Re: energy data request

     

    Hi Marge

     

    I am wondering if we can get these buildings' documents before the semester starts.

    I can ask TA to go over the documents and select documents that need for the class.

    So that we can reduce the number of documents to get approval.

     

    Also, I send an email related to meter data. 

    The Excel file doesn’t have units, could you help me what units were used for the meters.

     

     

    Many thanks

    Yun

     

     

     

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

    On Jul 28, 2021, at 1:42 PM, White, Morgan wrote:

     

    Hi Yun,

    Please see attached files. 

    Thanks!

    Morgan 

    -----------

    F&S Sustainability

    iCAP Working Group co-chair

    iSEE Liaison and SSC advisor

     

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

    Begin forwarded message:

    From: "Ewing, Anthony James"

    Date: July 27, 2021 at 9:13:46 AM CDT

    To: "White, Morgan"

    Cc: "Spurlock, Anthony T"

    Subject: RE: energy data request

    

    Hi Morgan –

     

    Attached is the data you’ve requested.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Anthony

     

     

    ANTHONY EWING

    Utilities and Energy Services 

    Facilities and Services

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

     

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

    From: Spurlock, Anthony T

    Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 3:48 PM

    To: Ewing, Anthony James

    Subject: FW: energy data request

     

    Could you handle this data request?  Thanks

     

    Regards,

     

    Anthony Spurlock

    Associate Director of Budget Resources Planning

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    Facilities and Services - Utilities & Energy Services Division

     

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

    From: Spurlock, Anthony T 

    Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 4:27 PM

    To: White, Morgan

    Cc: Yi, Yun Kyu; Roman, Robert Raymond; Keller, Thomas Jeffery; Villanti, Joe; Anthony James Ewing

    Subject: RE: energy data request

     

    Morgan,

     

    End of July should not be a problem.

     

    Regards,

     

    Tony

     

    ANTHONY SPURLOCK, CPA

    Associate Director of UES, Budget Resources Planning 

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

    Facilities and Services 

    Utilities & Energy Services Division (UES)

     

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

    From: White, Morgan 

    Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 1:41 PM

    To: Spurlock, Anthony T

    Cc: Yi, Yun Kyu; Roman, Robert Raymond; Keller, Thomas Jeffery; Villanti, Joe

    Subject: energy data request

     

    Hi Tony,

     

    We need to provide historical energy data to Professor Yi for his work with us this fall to create building energy models for selected buildings on campus, in his Architecture class.

     

    Can you please have someone on your team provide monthly energy data for the following buildings for the last five years, FY20 to FY16?  Also, if hourly data is available, please provide hourly data for these same buildings for the one year of FY19.

     

    ·       Personnel Services Building

    ·       Speech and Hearing Building

    ·       Children’s Research Center

    ·       Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center.

     

    I have created a folder for the related files in Box, which you can access at https://uofi.box.com/s/uc18bm30ysb6fxk7q0e0iwy3hnav99lq.  We would appreciate receiving this information by the end of July, if possible.

     

    Thank you,

    Morgan

     

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

    MORGAN B. WHITE

    Associate Director of F&S for Sustainability

    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     

     

    Attached Files: 

Pages