Dear AU Community, 

Today, AU kicked off our first-ever Academic Building Sustainability Competition! Building occupants are competing to reduce electricity use and improve waste sorting. The competition starts today and ends November 7.   

Participating buildings include: 

• Battelle-Tompkins Hall 
• East Quad Building 
• Gray Hall 
• Hall of Science 
• Hurst Hall 
• Katzen Arts Center 
• Kerwin Hall 
• Kogod Building 
• Kreeger Building 
• McCabe Hall 
• McKinley Hall 
• Don Myers Building 
• School of International Service 
• Spring Valley Building 
• Watkins Building 

Track the results of the competition live here. Help your building win by directly reducing your own electricity consumption and sorting your waste. Make the changes below and encourage your classmates and colleagues to participate!  

• Use a smart power strip to turn off all your electronics when you leave your room or your office.  
• Keep windows closed.  
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.  
• Compost and recycle your waste (learn how with this video made by an AU student).  
• Use your reusable water bottle, mug, utensils, and tote.  
• Drop off recyclable plastic bags and electronics in the basement of Bender Library, and batteries in battery boxes around campus.  

Check social media for progress updates and the announcement of the winners on November 10.  

Thank you to the staff in the Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management for sponsoring this first of its kind competition. Reach out to sustainability@american.edu with questions and to share your competition story. 

Megan Litke
Director of Sustainability