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

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 AU’s Zero Waste guidelines for a list of items that can be recycled on campus.

If you live off campus, check out Zero Waste DC, Arlington’s recycling guidelines, or Montgomery County recycling. Recycling rules differ by community, so remember to look up your hometown’s guidelines as well.

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 Plastic Free July challenge. Purchase a reusable coffee mug through the Dav Mug Club and receive discounts at the Davenport Coffee Lounge.

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 AU's Zero Waste Club as part of their annual Project Move Out initiative.