Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

10/02/2026

In collaboration with Choose DuPage IL and Kane County Government, EnergySense & the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center are providing free technical assistance for 10 small food-focused companies.

Participants in these counties, including restaurants, grocers, food banks, lodging or institutional food service operations & similar organizations receive recommendations to reduce food & resource waste & improve the sustainability of operations.

Learn more & apply at: https://tinyurl.com/2s4cxkds

09/28/2026

Learn more 🔗https://loom.ly/GsmNrCk

What's in a disposable v**e pen? 💨

In a new study, researchers at the University of Plymouth and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center analyzed discarded v**e pens and found extremely high levels of lead and other metals in the liquid used in many popular e-cigarette devices. By looking at v**e pens in the waste stream, the team examined what is in these products and what problems they can create once they are thrown away.

👉 Learn more about the study using the link in the comments.

09/04/2026

Learn more and apply: https://loom.ly/tla0huI

📣 Attention DuPage and Kane County food businesses!

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center and EnergySense Resilience Center are offering FREE technical assistance to help small food-focused businesses and organizations reduce food waste, prevent pollution, increase energy efficiency, and more.

Spots are limited and will be filled on a rolling basis, so don't wait! Selected participants will receive support through December 2026.

👉 Learn more and apply at the link in the comments.

08/31/2026

Congrats to John Scott! 🥳 Learn more about his experience and research interests, and the duties of the Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist: https://loom.ly/xiYC0rI

🎉 Congratulations to John Scott on his appointment as Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist!

John has been a researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center since 2001, bringing more than two decades of expertise to this role. His research focuses on pollutants including emerging contaminants like PFAS and microplastics, as well as waste-to-energy and resource recovery.

As Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist — one of seven state scientists based at the Prairie Research Institute — John will provide science-based information on statewide pollution issues to help protect the health and environment of Illinois communities.

We're thrilled to have him in this role. 👉 Learn more at the link in the comments.

07/20/2026

Take the survey 👉 go.illinois.edu/FoodWasteSurvey

You can help shape solutions to food waste! Take a 10-minute survey about meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and what happens in the kitchen at the link in the comments! 👇

Your thoughts on what works well for your household and what is challenging will help guide food waste prevention programs that support cost savings, stronger communities, and a healthier environment.

University of Illinois Extension

05/21/2026

04/23/2026

Check out our latest TAP newsletter 📩 https://loom.ly/nM8iigc

Big news for sustainability and business! This month's Technology Acceleration Program newsletter covers:
✅ New poll: Americans are concerned about harmful chemicals
✅ Shrinking the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing
✅ Microbial assembly line makes plastic upcycling programmable
✅ Sustainable student farm celebrates first certificate program
And more! 👉 Read the full issue from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center using the link in the comments!

03/12/2026

📩 March TAP Newsletter: https://loom.ly/uAkY-lc

Big news for sustainability and business! This month's Technology Acceleration Program newsletter covers:
✅ Free assessments for small food biz in Dupage, Kane counties
✅ ComEd announces $70M EV rebates
✅ NRDC releases issue brief on economic impacts of food waste diversion in Illinois
Read the full issue from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center using the link in the comments!

03/04/2026

Read about the latest research to reduce nurtrient run-off: https://loom.ly/HZlE50U

01/26/2026

Check out the January TAP Newsletter: https://loom.ly/P3Ed9V0

Big news for sustainability and business! This month's Technology Acceleration Program newsletter covers:
✅ Energy efficiency funding opportunity for IL small biz
✅ IL battery recycling law goes into effect
✅ New supply chain decarbonization accelerator
✅ Community solar project in Waukegan, IL
And more! 📩 Stay informed—read the full issue from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center using the link in the comments.