EcoPledge Program

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EcoPledge Program

Commit. Certify. Earn Prizes.

Contact Us

202-885-6262

sustainability@american.edu

Office of Sustainability 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8163 United States

Take the EcoPledge

Maybe you are a person who always carries a reusable water bottle around campus. Maybe you are someone who attends climate marches and talks to friends about climate change. Or, maybe you want to make a difference for our environment but aren't sure where to start. If you identify with any of these descriptions, the EcoPledge Program is for YOU!

Commit to making sustainable choices on campus and in your life and earn sustainable prizes. To get started, commit to taking at least 10 actions from the list below and to become certified. It's that easy.

Climate change is a global problem that will require action and solutions from every level of government, our institutions, the private sector, and from individuals like you. By , you are helping to make our campus a greener, healthier, and more sustainable place for everyone.

NEW: Green Floor

Certify your residence hall floor as a Green Floor by recruiting 75 percent or more of your floor to sign the EcoPledge! The first floor to achieve 75 percent will win a sustainable study break during midterms. All additional floors will be entered into a raffle, and two more winners will recieve sustainable study breaks during midterms. Winners will also be announced here and on our social media!

Reduce Waste

I will compost my food waste

Reduce food waste and by composting at home or on campus. Refer to ��’s Zero Waste guidelines for a list of items that can be composted on campus, including all food waste, napkins, and pizza boxes.

I will recycle paper, flattened cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles

AU provides mixed recycling bins across campus. Paper, plastic, metal, and glass can all be placed into these bins. Items should be empty and clean (mostly free of residue). Refer to ��’s Zero Waste guidelines for a list of items that can be recycled on campus.

If you live off campus, check out , , or . Recycling rules differ by community, so remember to look up your hometown’s guidelines as well.

I will carry a reusable water bottle and reusable utensil set

Confidently say “no” to single-use items by consistently using alternative, reusable options. A few examples: Bring a reusable water bottle and reusable utensils when you eat out. Go plastic free by taking the challenge. Purchase a reusable coffee mug through the and receive discounts at the Davenport Coffee Lounge.

I will upcycle and/or donate old clothes and household items

Reducing the amount of waste that we generate in the first place is always best. The next best option is to reuse, repurpose, upcycle, or donate items that we already own when we no longer have a use for them. AU offers several donation bins on campus specifically for clothing and textile waste (you can find one in Lett-Anderson Quad!). During spring move out, students can donate gently used clothing and dorm furnishings to as part of their annual Project Move Out initiative.

Consume Mindfully

I will eat plant-based meals at least one day per week

Reducing your meat consumption, even for one day a week, can have a on our planet. AU offers in dining locations across campus. Cooking at home? Try out these .

I will buy clothing, furniture, and other goods from second-hand stores when possible

If you need to purchase an item, it's ideal to look for one that has been pre-owned. Buying secondhand items keeps them out of the landfill and can help reduce the production of new items in the long-term. It can also reduce carbon emissions; extending the average life of clothes by just three months per item would lead to a 5–10% reduction the item's carbon, water and waste footprints. Here are several lists of and in DC.

I will buy less packaged food or eat in instead of ordering takeout

, food and food packaging materials make up almost half of all municipal solid waste in the United States (yikes!). If that wasn't bad enough, single-use bags, plastic bottles, food containers and food wrappers are . When possible, choose to eat in at The Dining Room on campus or purchase food with recyclable or reuseable packaging.

I will use reusable shopping bags at the store

Carry a reusable bag to the store so that you can refuse plastic bags at checkout. are thrown away in the US each year and only 1-3% get recycled.

Conserve Energy

I will learn and follow the temperature adjustment policy in my residence hall

American University has instituted a temperature policy on campus to maximize energy conservation and efficiency. Residence halls and all other occupied buildings are maintained in the temperature range of 68° to 78° Fahrenheit year round. During the winter, buildings are maintained at 70°F (+/- 2°) and 76°F (+/- 2°) during the summer.

You should not attempt to change the thermostats in your residence halls; they have been preset by Facilities Management and cannot be changed individually. If you live off campus, maintain moderate temperatures throughout the year to maximize savings.

I will reduce vampire power by unplugging my electronics when not in use

Always unplug appliances and electronics that are not in use. Even when they are not being used, these "” still suck energy from the outlet.

I will use natural light when possible and turn off the lights when leaving my room

Using natural light instead of artificial light not only reduces energy consumption and lowers your electricity bill but also has many health and wellness benefits. Using natural light .

I will use cold water when washing laundry and air-dry clothes when possible

Washing your clothes in cold water . Bonus: Save even more energy by hanging your clothes to dry.

Save Water

I will reduce my shower time by at least five minutes

Fresh water is a precious and limited resource, and our global supply is decreasing. If you reduce your showering time by 5 minutes for an entire year, you could save more than annually.

I will report on-campus leaks to 2Fix immediately

2Fix stands for "To Fix and Repair", and refers to the Facilities Customer Response Center at American University. If you notice a leak anywhere on campus, such as a dripping faucet or a malfunctioning toilet, report the problem to the 2Fix team immediately.

I will turn off the faucet when brushing my teeth

It’s super simple and effective: Turn the faucet off while you brush your teeth. Running the water while brushing your teeth is the equivalent of each day.

I will wash only full loads of laundry

The average residential washing machine uses about . Save water and energy by washing only full loads of laundry.

Commute Smarter

I will walk, bike, or use the AU Shuttle to get around campus

Walking, riding a bike or scooter, and riding the AU Shuttle are easy ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint.

I will use my U-Pass to get around the D.C. area whenever possible

��’s U-Pass program provides full-time students with unlimited Metro and Metrobus rides.

I will register my bike with AU Transportation or use Capital Bikeshare

Biking is a convenient, healthy, budget-friendly, and low-carbon way to travel around campus and to explore the region. If you have your own bike, register it with AU Transportation to help AUPD locate it if ever lost or stolen. If you don't have your own bike, take advantage of a discounted membership to Capital Bikeshare, which operates several docking stations on campus.