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Spring 2025 Sustainability Competitions

Campus Race to Zero Waste

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Campus Race to Zero Waste

This spring, American Çà¹ÏÊÓƵ is participating in theÌýÌýa national competition between colleges andÌýuniversities to reduce waste and increase diversion rates. Throughout the eight-week competition, we will share data about how much waste our campus is generating (recycling, compost, and trash) and provide resources that you can use to help AU reduce the amount of waste being sentÌýto landfill and incineration.ÌýIf you are member of the AU community,Ìýget involvedÌýand help us reach zero waste!

The Race: Feb. 2 - March 29

Using fair and friendly competition, the provides tools and opportunities that inspire, empower, and mobilize colleges and universities to benchmark and improve efforts to reduce or eliminate waste. See how we're doing as a campus and check out resources you can share.

Campus Race to Zero Waste lasts eight weeks, from February 2Ìý- March 29. Every week during the competition, we will share how much landfill waste, recycling, and compost was generated on campus.

StayÌýtuned for updates!

Race to Zero Waste Weight Totals (LBS)
Week Landfill Recycling Compost Total Waste

*This table is updated every Wednesday with data from the previousÌýweek. Please note that the data will not be finalized until the end of the competition, and some of theÌýweights for landfill, recycling, and compost are estimates. This is due to the fact that some bins and dumpsters on campus are not emptied and weightedÌýon a weekly basis. Therefore, we will continuously update and refine the data throughout the competition.
2.2 - 2.8 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
2.9 - 2.15 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
2.16 - 2.22 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
2.23 - 3.1 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
3.2 - 3.8 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
3.9 - 3.15 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
3.16 - 3.22 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
3.23 - 8.29 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

Help us get the word out about the competition! You can hang up signage on your door about how waste should be sorted on AU's campus;Ìýshare waste sorting graphics on your Instagram page;Ìýmake an announcement about the competition in your class using our PowerPoint slide deck; or use our bulletin board kit to create a display on your residence hall floor.Ìý

Signage

Social Media Posts to Reshare

Staff Resources

Faculty Resources

In 2010, AU adopted aÌýZero Waste PolicyÌýfor reducing campus waste and diverting the university's waste stream from landfill. In 2021, the university outlined new and ambitiousÌýgoals for reducing campus waste throughÌýAU's Sustainability Plan, including:Ìý

  • Goal 11.1:ÌýAchieve Zero Waste (90% diversion) by 2030.

  • Goal 11.2:ÌýEliminate single use plastics on campus.

  • Goal 11.3:ÌýCapture 100% of pre-consumer organic waste for composting from every dining location on campus.

  • Goal 11.4:ÌýIncrease single stream recycling rate by 50%.

  • Goal 11.5:ÌýDecrease overall campus waste by 20% by 2030.

Wondering how to sort your waste into trash, recycling, or compost? Need to recycle electronics, furniture, textiles, plastic bags, or batteries? Visit our Zero Waste page or contact the Zero Waste Office in Facilities Management.Ìý

Upcoming Events

Attend an upcoming sustainability eventÌýon campus.

Events

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