WASHINGTON - American University's participation in the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition, running now through March 23, tips off on February 10 at Bender Arena with the 11th Annual Sustainability-themed Men's Basketball game. "Go Green," but wear red, white, and blue to cheer on the Eagles, presented this year by Platinum Level official game sponsors, DAVIS Construction and Pepco. The game is planned each year by AU Athletics, the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management's Energy & Engineering and Grounds teams, and the Office of Parking and Commuter Services.   

"The Department of Athletics and men's basketball team look forward to the Sustainability Awareness game each season, welcoming students, faculty and staff, alumni and community member neighbors into Bender Arena providing a fun and exciting platform to showcase the university's advances in sustainability and energy efficiency," said Robert Sherman, Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Corporate Partnerships. 

Attendees will be able to celebrate AU's sustainability accomplishments and efforts across campus by engaging with environmental student organizations, including AU Beekeeping Society, AU Outdoors, Wonk Trade, Food Recovery Network, PeaceJam, AU's Sunrise Hub, the Kogod Sustainability Club, and the Community Garden. AU's Zero Waste team also will be on hand to help fans sort their waste into either compost, recycling, or landfill trash bins. 

AU students receive free admission to the game with an AU ID, and AU faculty, staff, alumni, and fans receive $5 off per ticket when using the online coupon code GREEN25. Also, be sure to check out the "Getting To Guide" for green-friendly ways to get to the game. 

The AU Eagles also extend appreciation to the following corporate sponsors for their support. 
 
Gold Level 
Airlie Hotel and Conference Center and Airlie Berkshire Farm 
Chartwells Dining Services/AU Kitchen 
 
Silver Level 
Furbish Co. 
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 
 
Bronze Level 
Aramark Higher Education 
Busch Systems 
E.C. Ernst Electrical Contractors 
Mid-Atlantic Truck & Equipment 
Siemens Industries, Inc. 
Sustainable Building Partners 

As the semester continues, join the Zero Waste Office, the Office of Sustainability, and the entire American University community as we participate in the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition.  

"The Campus Race to Zero Waste competition supports AU's goal of zero waste by 2030 by challenging our whole community to join our waste reduction, recycling, and compost efforts. As more of the AU community chooses reusable utensils and uses our compost and recycling bins, we will move closer to our zero waste goal – and rank higher in the competition each week," said Director of Sustainability Megan Litke. 

Run by the National Wildlife Federation, the annual eight-week national competition is an opportunity for the AU community to come together to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus. 

The competition focuses on the following categories: 

• Overall diversion – tracked and reported based on weighing the recyclables, trash, and organics produced on campus on a weekly basis. 
• Food organics competition – food waste minimization efforts will be reported on a weekly basis. Last year, thanks to our Compost Crew, AU placed 10th out of 93 universities in this category, and it's where we expect our stiffest competition from other universities.  
• Per capita recycling – a ranking of universities and colleges based on recyclables per capita reported on a weekly basis. 
• Electronics waste – tracked and reported based on the collection of scrap electronics during a one-month period. 
• Case study – a report will be written about AU's best practices after the competition and submitted to the competition's organizers at the National Wildlife Federation. 

Special events and offers to keep an eye out for this year include: 

• $1 off offer on house-made drinks at The Bridge now through Feb 7 when you use a reusable cup. 
• Drop off e-waste (personal and work-related) in the East Campus surface level parking lot between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 18. 
• Join the public waste audit of MGC on March 5 at 11 a.m. on the quad (rain location SIS parking garage) 
• Swap your office supplies with the Office of Sustainability and Staff Council on March 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kogod 234. 

For your part, here are some quick and easy ways to do your part during the competition and throughout the year: 

• Know how to sort your waste on AU's campus. Check the signs or review our sorting guides. 
• Decrease your use of disposable plastics. Invest in a reusable water bottle, utensil set, and/or coffee mug for eating on-the-go. 
• Practice upcycling, reusing, or donating items like school supplies, clothing, and home goods. 

AU will compete with colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada and doing well in the competition depends on the participation of everyone on campus, so be sure to sort your waste properly and to join in on all the planned opportunities and events. 

To learn more about Campus Race to Zero Waste as well as AU's sustainability efforts, visit the Sustainability website, sign up for their newsletter, and be sure to follow on Instagram (@thegreenau and @zerowasteau).