Registration is now open for the 2016 Illinois Green Office Challenge, a friendly competition to see which Illinois organization can accumulate the most points by conserving energy and water, reducing waste and saving money.
The competition will launch with a kickoff and informational session from 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, 1 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign.
Last year, the challenge began in the central Illinois communities of Champaign-Urbana, Peoria and Bloomington-Normal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Construction Engineering and Research Laboratory in Champaign was the highest scorer in the region. This year, offices statewide are encouraged to sign up.
Contestants can start piling up points March 1 by completing specific sustainability activities at their facilities.
Money-saving ideas and assistance will be provided by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a division of the Prairie Research Institute.
The program’s website provides participants with the information and tools they need to complete activities, and a live leaderboard will track their scores, as well as those of other competitors from across the state. At the end of the challenge, participants will be acknowledged for their work through media, peer recognition and year-end awards. The challenge welcomes all public and private buildings that are used primarily for office space.
The $50 registration fee may be waived if it’s a barrier to participation. Questions can be directed to Bart Bartels, a technical assistance engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, at bbartel@illinois.edu.
A Peoria-area kickoff is scheduled for March 3. Additional community meetings and informational workshops will be scheduled as organizations and communities sign up. For complete information, visit the challenge’s website.
