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ISTC Case Study: Sustainability Certification Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP): GFX International
GFX Printing, located in Grayslake, IL, produces large format graphics printed on a variety of media. GFX earned initial SGP certification in 2010 and was re-certified in 2012 and 2014. Since attaining their certification, GFX has reduced waste to landfill by setting reduction goals and evaluating waste streams for further reduction and recycling. They also reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), hazardous air pollutants (HAP), and carbon dioxide. From 2008-2013, they reduced their landfill waste by 42%, hazardous waste by 32.7%, VOC emissions by 35%, and HAP emissions by 100%.

Save 50% Energy by Replacing Linear Fluorescent Lamps with LED Lamps
Lighting is a crucial component of the manufacturing process. It impacts worker productivity, product quality, and facility appearance. Lighting also comprises a significant portion of a facility’s energy costs and is frequently overlooked by maintenance and purchasing personnel. Old lamps are often replaces with new identical lamps without consideration being given to energy efficiency or cost. Today, LED (light emitting diode) technology is changing that practice. Burgeoning LED products offer a variety of energy-efficient alternatives for industrial applications. ISTC has identified a simple, quick-fix solution to a very common scenario of upgrading linear fluorescent lighting.

You may not realize it, but you are standing on a lake. If you are reading this in East Central Illinois, you are standing a few feet above the Mahomet Aquifer, an underground water supply that spans 14 counties. Similar large and small groundwater sources are scattered across the country.

We might not think about groundwater much, but it is vitally important. For example, the Mahomet Aquifer is the primary source of drinking water and water for commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses across the 14-county area, supplying approximately 220 million gallons of water per day. Globally, 99% of usable freshwater is stored in these underground reservoirs.

Because groundwater makes up the majority of our water supply, we need to make sure we are keeping it safe from contamination and using it wisely to avoid waste. The National Ground Water Association has designated September 8^th as Protect Your Groundwater Day, with information about what you can do to protect your local aquifer.

ISTC is also committed to protecting groundwater. Its upcoming seminar series on water quality and water conservation kicks off this Thursday, September 10^th with a talk by the Illinois State Water Survey’s Walt Kelly on State and Regional Water Supply Planning in Illinois. In addition, ISTC’s Technical Assistance and Sponsored Research Programs have helped businesses across Illinois cut down on water waste and contamination since 1985. We’re also hosting the One Billion Gallon Water Challenge to encourage individuals, organizations, communities, and businesses to make the pledge to conserve water in Illinois.

Please join us today and every day in Protecting Your Groundwater!

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center earned “gold” recognition from the State Electronics Challenge (SEC) for its environmentally-responsible electronics purchasing, use, and recycling decisions in 2014.

Responsible electronics management comes naturally to the ISTC, with its Sustainable Electronics Initiative (SEI) and a “green” team which is making progress on implementing various sustainability activities at the Center. SEI efforts are concerned with promoting increased sustainable design, use, and end-of-life management of electronic devices, noting that electronics manufacturing and waste have social impacts as well as environmental ones.

The SEC challenges local, state, regional, and tribal entities across the country to commit to greener electronics management, helping participants develop action plans, providing resources, and delivering end-of-year sustainability reports and awards. In 2013, SEC participants collectively prevented over 2 tons of toxic materials, 860 tons of solid waste, and 134 tons of hazardous waste from entering landfills. Further, participants saved a substantial amount of electricity and prevented the escape and accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Of SEC’s 150 participants, only nine are from Illinois, and, of those, just two earned recognition at any level in 2014. SEC’s annual awards recognize participants achieving their goals in the following areas: purchasing, use, and recycling. ISTC’s gold award recognizes reductions in all three areas, with 98 percent of the Center’s computers using power management and 100 percent of “retired” electronics being reused.

Now more than ever water is becoming a critical resource around the globe.  Increasing water shortages are predicted as more water is used by a growing world population and rainfall patterns are altered due to climate change.  A recent report by the UN predicts a 40% shortfall in water by 2030.

In order to bring awareness to the issues involving clean water, water use, and adequate water supplies, World Water Day was established by the UN in 1993 and is celebrated on March 22.  It is a great reminder that water touches all aspects of our lives. Did you know that the U.S. uses more water in a day than it uses oil in a year!!!

Learn more about how much water is used to make a T-shirt or how much evaporates each day and other amazing facts and do your part to conserve and use water wisely (ISTC’s Billion Gallon Water Challenge).