Pollution Prevention | Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Illinois Materials Management & Recycling Opportunities Report

Project Title: Illinois Materials Management & Recycling Opportunities Report Sector: State Government Location: Illinois, Statewide Services: Fostering Sustainable Behavior, Pollution Prevention, Process Optimization, Stakeholder Engagement, Resilient Solutions, Sustainability Planning, Waste Reduction/Management Background: Between 2019 and 2021, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) Technical Assistance Program provided support to the Illinois EPA (IEPA) and the statewide […]

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 […]

International e-waste competition underway

Current college/university students and recent graduates have an opportunity to create useful and appealing products from e-waste—computers, printers, cell phones and similar materials that would normally end up in landfills. And their efforts could win them prizes. The International E-Waste Design Competition (www.ewaste.illinois.edu), allows participants will explore solutions to this problem at the local level […]

Cook County BRITE program receives MVP2 award

At the February 5, 2026, meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the Cook County Department of Environmental Sustainability’s Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program formally received its 2025 P2 Multimedia Award. BRITE was bestowed this honor as part of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) Awards […]

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 […]

Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits releases guidance on pollution prevention industrial assessment

The Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits (CEISB) at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) has released a Pollution Prevention Guide for companies wanting to learn about using pollution prevention industrial assessments. Simply put, pollution prevention, also known as P2, refers to the reduction or elimination of hazardous materials and contaminants (pollution) at their […]

Energy efficiency funding for small businesses and nonprofits–applications due Feb. 2

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) has partnered with Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, and the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) to offer energy efficiency and electrification project rebates up to $1,000 for 30 businesses or non-profit organizations in Illinois. Applications are due February 2, 2026. Qualifying projects include LED lighting upgrades, EV charging stations, HVAC maintenance, smart […]

IL battery recycling law goes into effect

Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires battery manufacturers to fund battery collection for recycling, with no cost to the consumer. Batteries can NOT be recycled in your home recycling bin. They may only be recycled through special drop-off collection locations. Why battery recycling matters Batteries are made from metals and minerals mined using processes […]

Tri-state partnership offers free assistance to manufacturers

The Technology Acceleration Program (TAP), part of ISTC’s Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits, along with partners at Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office of Pollution Prevention Services and Missouri State University, have been awarded grant funding to provide FREE sustainability assessments to manufacturing and processing facilities in their respective states. This project will […]

Free assessments for small food businesses in DuPage & Kane Counties

High view of man buying coffee at counter.

Uncover cost-saving and efficiency opportunities for your food-focused business! The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) and the EnergySense Resilience Center, units of the University of Illinois, are providing free technical assistance to 10 small for and/or non-profit entities, such as restaurants, grocers, food banks, lodging or institutional food service operations, and other food-focused businesses and […]