Sustainability at UIC

Learn how to fix a flat tire, basic bike maintenance and more from experienced cyclist Pablo Granados.

The class will be held at the Engineering Maker Space, Roosevelt Road Building, 728 W. Roosevelt Road. Enter through the north door and proceed to the bike repair space.

This event is made possible through the support of the UIC Sustainability Fund.

On July 9, Planning, Sustainability and Project Management had the pleasure of hosting a tree tour for two members of the Rush sustainability team. It was a fun and educational morning exploring the campus tree canopy together.

As a reminder, UIC is recognized as a Level II Arboretum by ArbNet and as a Tree Campus Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation. The campus includes nearly 34 acres of tree cover and is committed to preserving and expanding its urban forest.

Interested in a self-guided tree tour? Visit: go.uic.edu/CampusTreeTours

After speaking at the June 19 Sustainability, Research and Innovation Congress special plenary session, Sustainability, Justice & Joy: A Juneteenth Reflection, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda and Sybil Derrible, PhD, professor of civil, materials and environmental engineering stopped by the Planning, Sustainability and Project Management (PSPM) table to check in with Andy Mitchell, assistant vice chancellor and director of sustainability.

PSPM took part in the fifth annual SRI Congress - the first to be held in the United States - to promote the university’s Climate Commitment Action Plan 2024 and other UIC sustainability initiatives, highlight its commitment to sustainability and engage with a global network of changemakers.

Photo credit: Melissa Fiffer

Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress

The May issue of the Greenlights sustainability newsletter is now available. If you missed it, you can access it here: go.uic.edu/newissue

If you haven’t subscribed yet, visit go.uic.edu/Greenlights

Today is Earth Day — a global moment to reflect on the importance of environmental protection and sustainability.

The first Earth Day was held in 1970 and was driven by student energy and campus organizing across the United States. What began as a grassroots movement on college campuses has since grown into an international day of action and awareness.

Learn more about the origins and impact of Earth Day by visiting the official Earth Day website: earthday.org/history

Celebrate Earth Month by dropping off your outdated electronics on April 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the northwest side of the Student Center East concourse.

Planning, Sustainability and Project Management is partnering with PCs for People to collect used and unused devices for refurbishment and resale to eligible customers or responsible recycling.

For more information, visit: https://go.uic.edu/PersonalElectronicsRecycling

Celebrate Earth Month by stopping by the Sustainability at UIC table on April 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the northwest side of the Student Center East concourse.

Staff from Planning, Sustainability and Project Management will share information about campus sustainability initiatives and giveaways will be available while supplies last.

April is Earth Month at UIC!

Join Planning, Sustainability and Project Management for a month full of events that celebrate sustainability and support UIC’s Climate Commitments. From campus tours and electronics recycling to seed swaps and sustainability-inspired fitness activities, there’s a way for everyone to participate.

Check out the lineup on the Earth Month 2025 calendar: https://go.uic.edu/EarthMonth2025

The Teaching Sustainability Initiative (TSI) is now in its sixth year of helping UIC instructors integrate sustainability into their courses. TSI provides training, support and compensation for incorporating sustainability into existing courses or developing new ones.

Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Apply by March 22: https://go.uic.edu/TSIApplication

To learn more, visit: https://go.uic.edu/TSI

The Sustainability Fund supports projects that reduce UIC’s environmental impact and align with UIC’s Climate Commitments. Students, faculty and staff can apply.

Projects under $5K – Rolling applications are accepted.

Projects over $5K – Submit a Letter of Inquiry by March 7.

After reviewing all letters, the Sustainability Fund Advisory Board will invite selected applicants to submit final proposals by Friday, April 4.

To learn more and access submission forms, visit: go.uic.edu/SF

UIC has retained its Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University status. At the silver level, universities must have implemented projects, policies and programs that show a strong commitment to cycling which can be seen in a significant number of people riding. The silver designation was issued by a review team of League of American Bicyclists staff, local cyclists and outside experts.

Read more: go.uic.edu/SilverLevel

Composting is a natural process that converts food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich material that can be used to enrich soil in gardens, farms and landscapes.

In December 2024, UIC UIC Dining Services launched its first front-of-house post-consumer composting program at the 605 Commons in Student Center East. If successful, the program may expand to additional campus locations to further support UIC’s sustainability goals.

To learn more about composting at UIC, please visit go.uic.edu/composting