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Project Updates

  1. 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. 

  4. Engagement iCAP Team Meeting

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

    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: 

  7. 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    • Out of Date Reference - The referenced items are from early 2016 and reference ASHRAE-90.1-2013.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: 

  8. April 2022 TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    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: 

  12. Eco-Counter set installed and activated at Armory and Sixth

    Associated Project(s): 
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts
    Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE) [ARCHIVED]
    Bicycle Counts

    A set of Eco-Counters were installed at the intersection of Armory Ave and Sixth St on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. This is the last set of old counters that were purchased in 2019. These counters were activated on April 27, 2022, and they are now collecting and transmitting data. See attached to see the pictures of these counters.

    Attached Files: 

  13. EPA Waste Management Webinar Presentation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    Meredith Moore (iSEE) and Sydney Trimble (F&S) presented at the EPA Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Web Academy Webinar: University Best Practices in Waste Stream Management on 4-28-22. The presentation is attached. 

    Click here for more information.

    "This webinar session will highlight best practices in university materials and waste stream management, including reduce, reuse, and recycle principles. Participants will learn about the excellent waste reduction programs at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Colorado State University, and The Ohio State University. Our speakers will share proven practices that help colleges and universities minimize waste generation and promote materials reuse. Attendees will also learn about ongoing university case studies and projects involving waste characterization as well as other programs assisting campuses in achieving sustainability goals."

    Attached Files: 

  14. iCAP update presented at Senate Committee on Campus Operations

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Provide Centralized Communication about Sustainability
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    These iSEE representatives presented an update of key efforts underway for the iCAP 2020: iSEE Associate Director for Campus Sustainability Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo, iSEE Associate director for Education and outreach Dr. Luis Rodriguez, Sustainability Programs Manager Meredith Moore, F&S Associate Director for Sustainability Morgan White, and Sustainability Academic Advisor Eric Green. the key topics were:

    • Earth Month
    • Clean Power
    • Plastic Waste Reduction
    • Environmental Leadership Program
    • Sustainability Gen Ed efforts

    The following links were also sent to be shared with the committee:

    Also, if anyone is interested in participating in one of the Topical iCAP Teams, as a faculty member, please let us know. The topics are listed on the iCAP Portal at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/topical-icap-teams.

     

  15. Meeting agenda and notes

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    Agenda for meeting with Coca-cola national and regional team and UIUC representatives.

    • Climate Leadership Commitments and Plastic Waste Reduction
    • Coke Current Sustainability Efforts at Illinois (use of sustainability funds in current contract)
    • Coke Future Efforts to Reduce Plastic Waste
    • Enhanced sustainability collaboration between Coke and Illinois

    iSEE notes from meeting:

    Met with national & regional Coke representatives on 4/28/2022 to discuss increasing sustainable purchasing and waste management practices

    • Coke transitioning to bottles with higher content of recycled PET (rPET)
    • Support increased plastic waste collection (raw materials for rPET)
      • Reverse vending machines (RVM)– donation/reward for bottle/can recycling
      • Develop blueprints for messaging and events (social media, signage, materials for athletic events)

    Next steps

    • Connect with RVM manufacturer (Atlas Solutions) to discuss purchasing

    • Engage wit Coke partners Circular Solutions for a potential sustainability audit

  17. April Energy iCAP Team Meeting 4-27-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    The Energy iCAP Team met on April 27th at 9:00 A.M. for an update on an ongoing student-run study of CO2 district heating and cooling feasibility as well as to discuss two recommendations pertaining to ensuring compliance of new campus buildings with existing state energy codes and F&S energy use standards. One draft recommendation that would use students in architecture or energy related disciplines as a means of ensuring compliance was tabled, while a second recommendation requiring new buildings to more carefully comply with existing standards will undergo further conversation for potential submission as a recommendation over the summer or in the early fall.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Weekly Resiliency Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community

    Stacy Gloss and Meredith Moore met on 4/27 to discuss the following:

    1. DFA Student project on E-waste recycling poster was added to portal on 4/27/2022.
    2. Environmental Justice Next Steps by August 2022:
      1. Make 1 – 2 page fact sheet about EJ Planning
      2. Define plan for outreach this summer
      3. Implement the plan
    3. Capstone project on carbon offsets
      1. Obtain final deliverables on carbon offset project to include in iCAP portal
    4. Sustainability Clinic (Leading on Sustainability Issues)
      1. Socializing sustainability clinic to faculty; identify potentially interested faculty
    5. Community Conversations on Sustainability (Leading on Sustainability Issues)
      1. This is a newish idea that Meredith will socialize to iSEE and others and we can start working on it this summer. 

  19. Cell Phone and Electronic Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Local Sustainability Issues

    A team of Design for America students worked on a year-long project diving into cell phone and electronic waste. The attached poster is the culmination of their work across the '21/'22 school year. We wish the DFA student team luck in all their future endeavors.

    DFA Team: Koshal Raghavarapu, Ananya Barman, Pooja Tetali, & Aashi Tyagi

    Attached Files: 

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