Sustainability is they key:
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Slowing down climate change will require tremendous efforts from all of us
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Science is critical to tackle complex challenges for humanity and innovation is needed to move closer to a sustainable future
Green Office Certification
The Green Office Certification is a program created by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (ISEE) in order to promote offices to take concrete steps towards a greener campus. The office where the Rock Mechanics members reside (Newmark B220) achieved the highest level of certification – Gold.
The Green Office Certification is obtained by doing certain environmentally friendly required actions such as using recycled paper, turning lights and equipment off when not in use and providing access to recycling bins.
A higher level of certification can be achieved by performing more actions related to energy conservation, waste reduction. transportation and engagement and innovation.
Student Sustainability Committee
The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is a student-led organization charged with the distribution of two student fees – the Sustainable Campus Environment Fee and the Cleaner Energy Technologies Fee.
With the ultimate goal of making the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign a leader in campus sustainability, SSC reviews, recommends, and funds projects that increase environmental stewardship, inspire change, and impact students.
Rock Mechanics Research Group Member – Gabriel Mishaan – is part of the 2018-2019 Student Sustainability Committee.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:
Reducing the amount of waste produced by the University of Illinois is one of the key objectives of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (ICAP) and everyone is encouraged to participate.
There are many initiatives throughout the university, including the availability of recycling bins. There are recycling bins located in key places throughout Newmark Civil Engineering Building to encourage students to be active in reducing waste.
As a part of Student Sustainability Committee sponsored project “Improved recycling at CEE”, we are working on bringing the facilities to collect compost (food waste) at the department and utilize it for agriculture instead of sending it to the landfill.