Small Changes, Big Impact Reducing Single-Use Plastic

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Benefits of Reusable Water Bottles

Join us in choosing reusables! All incoming students will be provided a reusable water bottle when they arrive on campus, and the rest of our campus community can contribute by bringing their own reusable bottle with them. 

American University is committed to limiting plastics on campus, as part of our goal to achieve zero waste by 2030. When you choose a reusable water bottle, mug, or utensil, you are contributing directly to our sustainability goals. Small changes have a big impact.

Reusable water bottles:

  • Decrease single-use plastic waste, helping to protect oceans, wildlife, and natural ecosystems.
  • Reduce energy and water use in the production and disposal of plastic bottles.
  • Eliminate the need for purchasing single-use plastic bottles daily, saving money in the long run. 

What is single-use plastic?

Single-use plastics are items that are used once and immediately thrown away. It is often found in packaging and service ware, including bottles, wrappers, utensils, and bags. Half of the 300 million tons of plastic produced every year around the world is used for single-use items.  

Why does AU have a goal to eliminate single-use plastic?

Single-use plastics are harmful for the environment. They do not break down and are tricky to recycle properly. Instead of decomposing, they break up into tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics, which end up in our waterways. Microplastics are so ubiquitous in the environment, they’ve been found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. 

Single-use plastics have negative impacts on human and animal health too. People ingest about a credit card worth of plastic each week and exposure to plastic and the chemicals added to plastic has been linked to negative health impacts.  

Small Changes, Big Impact: Get Involved

The easiest, quickest way to help reduce single-use plastics on campus is to use your reusables. Bring your reusable mug to get coffee, carry reusable utensils in your backpack, take reusable totes with you to the grocery store, and refill your reusable water bottle as many times as you need. 

Students are invited to sign our EcoPledge to commit to reducing single-use plastics in your daily life, and staff and faculty can join our Green Office program to bring your colleagues on board. Use the Green Event Guidelines when planning an event too. 

DC Water Drinking Water Quality

DC Water conducts thousands of water quality tests each year. Learn more about the testing and see the results here. 

hand holding AU branded water bottle

Water Bottle Refilling Station Locations

Battelle-Tompkins (CAS) Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Between all gender bathrooms, across from Department of History (room 137)

One water fountain without a refill station0

2

 Between men’s and women’s bathrooms, across from Department of Literature (room 237) One water fountain without a refill station

T

 Between men’s and women’s bathrooms, across from T33 One water fountain without a refill station
Bender Arena Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Inside the gym across from the stairs up to the treadmills Two water fountains, each without a refill station

Arena

 At the bottom of the stairs down to the arena floor Two water fountains, each without a refill station
Bender Library Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 
Lower Level In the back of the floor next to the last book stacks One water fountain with a refill station

1

 In back of level across from the Training and Events Room in 105

One water fountain without a refill station

1

 In front of women’s restroom in back of floor One water fountain without a refill station

2

 Near elevators in front of the floor  Two water fountains, each with a refill stations 
2 Near back next to women’s restroom and stack 68 One water fountain with a refill station
3 Near elevators in end of floor facing the quad Two water fountains, each with a refill station
3 Opposite end of floor near women’s restroom and stack 68 One water fountain with a refill station
Don Myers Technology & Innovation Building Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Bathrooms near entrance 1 and across from study room 106 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
1 Across from room 106L and 162 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
1 Main hallway across from Federal One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
2 Entrance 3 by the elevators One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
2 Besides stair 3 by the elevators One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station 
2 Middle of main hallway One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
2 Across from classroom 262/206k One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
2 Across from bathrooms and HSKP 272/group study room 207 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
East Quad Building Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

Directly across from the stairwell

 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station
  Directly across from the stairwell One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station
Hall of Science Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

T

 Across from offices T24 & T26 One water fountain without refill station
T Next to all gender bathroom and across from T14 & T16 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station
1 Next to all gender bathroom and across from offices 108 & 110 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station 
1 Across from offices 118 & 116 One water fountain without a refill station 
2 Next to all gender bathroom and across from offices 208 & 210 One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station
3 Next to all gender bathroom One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station 
Hurst Hall Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Between rooms 112 & 113 One water fountain with a spigot
B Across from room B13 One water fountain with a refill station
Katzen Arts Center Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Across from the doors to the AU Museum One water fountain with a refill station and one without a refill station  
1 On the side of the Kreeger Lobby closest to the recital hall Two water fountains, each without a refill station  
2 To the side of the 2nd floor rotunda  Two water fountains, each with a refill station  
Kerwin Building Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Next to women’s bathroom, across from rooms 103 & 104 One water fountain with a refill station  
T Next to vending machines & classroom 3 One water fountain without a refill station  
ST Next to SPA computer lab (room ST01) One water fountain with a refill station
2 Across from classroom 205 One water fountain with a refill station
3 Across the Communications & Events office (room 305) One water fountain with a refill station
Kogod Building Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Across from Administrative Services (room 116) One water fountain with a refill station
1 Next to the Office of Career Engagement One water fountain with a refill station  
1 Next to the 290 staircase, across from men’s and women’s restrooms One water fountain with a refill station
T Next to the KSB computer lab (T54) One water fountain with a refill station
T Across from office 8, between the men’s and women’s restroom One water fountain with a refill station
Mary Gradon Center Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Across from the elevators next to the main entrance Two water fountains, each without a refill station
McKinley Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Across from Student Academic Affairs (room 104) One water fountains with a refill station and one without a refill station
1 Next to the main elevators, men’s bathroom, and housekeeping room 272 Two water fountains, each with a refill stations 
3 Across from office 308 Two water fountains, each with a refill stations 
T Across from room T10 One water fountain with a refill station
School of International Service Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 To the right of the main stairs in the atrium, opposite end of the building than the Davenport Two water fountains, each with a refill station
T Across from T10D/SIS Office of Career Development Two water fountains, each with a spigot
2 Across from the faculty/staff Richardson lounge in room 232 Two water fountains, each with a spigot
3 Across from offices 326 & 327 Two water fountains, each with a refill station
3 Across from Global Scholars Program in room 332 Sink with an attached spray handle
Watkins Water Bottle Fountain Refilling Stations
Floor Location Description

 

1

 Next to office 115 One water fountain with a refill station
B Across from G06 and next to men’s bathroom One water fountain with a refill station