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Come talk to the Office of Sustainability during All-American Welcome to start off your year on a green note. You can find us at the following events:

• Resource Fair, main quad outside the Mary Graydon Center, August 18 and 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop by to learn all the ways students can get involved with sustainability and pick out some stickers to decorate your water bottle.
• Open Houses, Butler Boardroom, August 20, 21, & 22, 4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Stop by to learn all the ways students can get involved with sustainability and pick out some stickers to decorate your water bottle.
• Sustainability tours of campus, dates and times TBA. See first-hand what makes our campus sustainable and learn how we become the first university to achieve carbon neutrality.
• Project Move-In, quad between Kerwin Hall and Hurst Hall, August 23 and 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Keep the reuse cycle going by picking up free décor, storage items, and more.

Project Move-In

Stop by Project Move-In to shop (for free!) for residence hall décor, storage, and other must haves. The items were donated by students during the spring semester when they moved out of campus residence halls. More than 17 tons of great finds are stored over the summer for students returning in the fall, so before you buy new, see what new-to-you items you can find for free. You will find thousands of clothes hangers, lots of storage containers, desk organizers, lamps, trash cans, coffee makers, plastic plants, wall hangings and artwork, and much, much more.

Sustainable Moving Tips 💡

Follow these steps to make your move to campus swift and sustainable. Planning for sustainability before you arrive to campus will reduce waste during move-in and will set you up for a sustainable semester. Thank you for doing your part!

1. MINIMIZE MOVING WASTE 🗑�

Pack using items that you need, such as backpacks and laundry bin. Wrap delicate items in towels, sheets, or clothes. If you do need additional packing materials, look for sustainable options like compostable bubble wrap pockets and use tape sparingly.

2. SORT YOUR WASTE 🚮

Review campus waste sorting guides so you know what can and cannot be recycled when you unpack. Break down cardboard boxes for recycling. Look for signs to recycle and throw away items during move-in in the correct locations. Recycling standards vary depending on where you live, so check our local recycling standards to understand how to recycle and compost at AU.

3. MOVE, THEN SHOP 📦

Wait to purchase non-essential items until you get to campus to save moving space and money. You can shop at Project Move-In for free items like clothes hangers, storage containers, lamps, and room décor, all donated as students moved out in the spring. Anything else you need you can find at local stores in Tenleytown.

4. APPROACH APPLIANCES SUSTAINABLY 💻

Look for ENERGY STAR labeled products when shopping for laptops, TVs, and monitors. Select LED lightbulbs to save energy and avoid pod-based coffee systems to minimize single-use plastics.

5. CLEAN FOR YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT 🫧

Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Cleaning products that are good for humans and the environment can help you keep your space and clothing clean and free of the chemicals and irritants common in traditional cleaning products. A good place to start is by looking for products certified by EPA’s Safer Choice program.

6. STOCK UP ON REUSABLES 🥣

Bring reusable water bottles, utensils, straws, and tote bags to protect both the environment and your wallet. There are water bottle filling stations across campus. DC also charges a plastic bag fee to discourage the use of disposable bags, so bringing reusable bags will help you save money while combatting pollution.

7. COORDINATE AHEAD OF TIME 📲

Coordinate with your future roommates or suite mates before moving to campus to see who already owns items for the room. If you do find yourself with more than you need, see if any others in your residence hall could use your extras or donate these items instead of throwing them away.

8. GET TO KNOW AU 🦅

Check maps of AU’s campus and surrounding areas, parking, and unloading instructions before you get to campus to minimize unnecessary fuel use. Learn about how to use transit, scooter, and bike apps like WMATA Metro and Bus, Transloc, and Spin to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money and time.

9. GET INVOLVED 🙋�

When you get to campus, get involved with campus sustainability efforts. Sign the EcoPledge to commit to making sustainable choices in your daily life on campus (and receive a free set of reusable utensils!). You can also join student organizations dedicated to sustainability – find them at the Student Involvement Fair during All-American Welcome – and you can get involved with the Office of Sustainability by becoming an EcoRep.