American University tipped off its annual Campus Race to Zero Waste competition on February 7 at the Sustainability Awareness Men’s Basketball Game against Bucknell. The Eagles kept Bucknell on their toes, staying a few points ahead until Bucknell made a three-pointer at the buzzer, scoring a 60 – 58 win against the Eagles.

Each year, the Sustainability Awareness game welcomes students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community member neighbors to Bender Arena to provide a fun and exciting platform to showcase the university’s advances in sustainability and energy efficiency.

This year, the game also commemorated the opening of the Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance. The building exemplifies the partnership between athletics and sustainability at American University, representing a significant upgrade in practice and competition spaces for AU’s student athletes while building on AU’s commitment to sustainability leadership. It is AU’s first geothermal building, first LEED Platinum building, and first net zero energy building, created to support student wellness in a way that is just as good for the planet as it is for our community.

“Sustainability at American University is more than just an initiative—it’s part of who we are. From energy-efficient, healthy buildings and solar power to zero-waste efforts, sustainable transportation, and community partnerships, our campus reflects a shared commitment by students, faculty, and staff to lead responsibly. Athletics is proud to join in that effort and help highlight the positive impact these practices have across our university,” said JM Caparro, Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Student environmental organizations tabled before the game to engage with the attendees and highlight AU’s sustainability accomplishments and efforts across campus. Organizations included Plant Futures AU, AU Community Garden, and Peace Inc. AU.

AU’s Zero Waste team was also on hand to help fans sort their waste into either compost, recycling, or landfill trash bins. 

The annual eight week-long Campus Race to Zero Waste competition is an opportunity for the AU community to come together to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus. 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. 

• Empty and clean recyclables that held food or beverages. Keeping food waste, ice, and liquids out of the recycling bins is critical for successful recycling. 
• Decrease your use of disposable plastics. Invest in a reusable water bottle, utensil set, and/or coffee mug for eating on-the-go. Sign the EcoPledge for a set of reusable utensils to get started.

Throughout the course of the competition, there also will be special events and offers to help raise awareness of waste reduction, including:

• Thrive AU Fair – Attend the fair and take the opportunity to get involved with campus wellness and food waste reduction efforts on March 2, 3 – 5 p.m.
• Mini Move Out – Donate excess clothing and hygiene products on March 4 & 5  
• Office Supply Swap – Clean out your offices and supply rooms on March 11 & 12

Join in on all the planned opportunities and events and be sure to sort your waste properly, as AU competes with colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada.

“The Campus Race to Zero Waste competition challenges our whole community to get hands-on with waste reduction, recycling, and compost efforts. As more of our students, staff, and faculty sort waste into compost and recycling and bring reusable mugs and bottles, we get close to our goal of zero waste by 2030 (and improve our rankings in the competition!)," said Sustainability Manager Anna Parse Johnson. 

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). To learn more about the Meltzer Center, click here.

Winners of the competition will be announced in mid-April.