Events | Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Orange and Blue Go Green

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) participated in several events during the 2012 UI Sustainability Week, October 22-26, 2012. The center was one of the stops on the Sustainability Scavenger Hunt. ISTC gave out biodegradable plastic sports bottles at its location in the hunt and has also donated reusable tote bags made from recycled plastic […]

March 30 is International Day of Zero Waste

The International Day of Zero Waste, established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/161, is jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Celebrated on March 30th annually, the event highlights the importance of sustainable materials management and responsible consumption and production. This year’s theme is food […]

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is May 3-9, 2026

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is celebrated annually during the first full week of May and is a time to learn more about composting organic wastes (e.g., landscape wastes and food scraps) as part of fostering healthier soil and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A theme is chosen for ICAW in the US each year, […]

Free webinar: Sector-based approach to stormwater pollution prevention

Join the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) and the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11 AM Central for a FREE webinar focused on best management practices for stormwater and pollution prevention. Presenters will highlight why it’s important to protect your storm drains, and how businesses can help protect […]

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week May 4-10, 2025

Plastic Free July 2025: Reducing plastics at home, work, and on the go

Plastic Free July is a campaign coordinated by the Plastic Free Foundation to raise awareness of the negative impacts of plastic pollution and to encourage individuals to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics. You’ve probably seen news coverage of collections of plastic pollution in the oceans or seen photos of wildlife harmed by ingesting or […]

Celebrate Pollution Prevention (P2) Week, Sept. 15-21, 2025

The third week of September annually is celebrated as Pollution Prevention, or P2, Week. P2 Week 2025 is September 15-21 using the theme: “40 Years of Pollution Prevention: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future!” As defined by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR, emphasis added), “Pollution is the contamination of air, soil, or water by […]

October is Campus Sustainability Month

Every October, colleges and universities around the world celebrate Campus Sustainability Month. According to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the goal of Campus Sustainability Month is “to raise the visibility of campus sustainability and provide campus sustainability advocates with a platform through which to deepen campus engagement around sustainability. […]

IL Climate Education Hub launch event, Oct. 22

In a previous post on back-to-school sustainability resources, the Illinois Climate Education Hub was mentioned as a forthcoming resource for K-12 teachers, to assist them in complying with Public Act 103-0837. That legislation provides that, “Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public school shall provide instruction on climate change, which shall include, but not […]

Celebrate International Day of Zero Waste on March 30 by reducing textile waste

Note that ISTC does not endorse, either explicitly or implicitly, any manufacturer, vendor, product, or service. Mentions of specific products or businesses below are provided for informational reference only. The International Day of Zero Waste, observed on March 30th annually, was established through UN General Assembly Resolution 77/161 and is jointly facilitated by the United […]