American University
In the year ----, American University’s Office of Sustainability and the Zero Waste team encouraged 512 people to sign a pledge stating that they will use reusable forks, knives, and spoons instead of plastic utensils.
(what is...)2020.
"The purpose of the campaign was to promote greater awareness and mindfulness of the negative environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics, and equip them with an easy tool – reusable utensils – to decrease their use." (American University)
The city of DC does not accept this type of plastic in recycling bins.
(what are...) Plastic Bags, Film, Plastic wrap
These items can be recycled at retailers! Until 2017, "...many of these bags weren’t really getting recycled, but were instead getting tangled up with other recyclables, clogging recycling sorting machines, and contaminating the whole mix" (Zero Waste DC).
The U.S. recycles this percentage of plastic.
9%
This process creates toxic emissions.
(what is...) plastics production
Diving Deeper: Low-income, vulnerable communities are affected disproportionally and experience higher rates of respiratory illnesses, as they tend to live in more affordable communities often located near plastic production plants.
In 2018, American University announced that it was Carbon Neutral. The plan aims to achieve zero waste by the year ---- by eliminating single-use plastics, increasing composting and recycling, and decreasing overall waste.
(what is...) 2030
"AU has announced these next steps in the university’s sustainability work, a new five-year plan that reflects AU’s Challenge Accepted brand campaign. This third campus action plan follows the 2010 Climate Plan and the 2014 Sustainability Plan" (American University).
In this specific year, the city of D.C. banned some single-use plastic.
(what is...) 2020
"An environmental regulation passed by the D.C. Council in 2020 — the Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act — has several provisions that take effect Saturday. Most affect the government and trash collection companies, but residents might notice one: Restaurants will be barred by law from simply giving out plastic ware with every meal" (The Climate).
This state was the first U.S. State to ban plastic bag use.
(what is...) California
"In August 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores" (NCSL).
(what are..) the 1950s.
This embassy in Washington, D.C. called upon American University students to help end single-use plastics at their place of work.
(what is...) The British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
"The embassy’s greening committee decided to utilize AU’s expertise in waste management to help the embassy turn away from single-use plastics" (American University).
The city of DC collected approximately this much money in 2021 from it's plastic bag tax at retail locations.
(what is...) $2 Million
"Money from the bag fee funds numerous environmental initiatives to improve the health of the District’s rivers, including stream restoration, green infrastructure, trash traps, and watershed education" (DCist).
This legislative act, originally published in 1972, was amended to stop polluted storm water and sewage from going into the ocean.
More than 99 percent of plastic is produced with: (looking for three answers)
(what is..) oil, natural gas, and coal
At the beginning of 2022, American University took part in a plastics reduction competition called:
(what is...) Race to Zero Waste
Continuing in 2023, American University’s Office of Sustainability and Zero Waste Office encourages the campus community to participate in the 8-week annual Campus Race to Zero Waste national competition.
District grocery stores provide this many plastic bags every year (considered single-use).
(what is...) 40 million
Americans purchase this many plastic water bottles each year, it averages to about 13 bottles per month/per person.
(what is...) 50 Billion.
This means that "...by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually" (Earth Day).
The term was first used in the 1970s. It can be found in almost every environment on Earth, including the middle of the ocean, the tops of mountains, and in our food and drinking water.
(what are...) microplastics
In September 2022, American University took a leap to reduce single-use plastics and containers through the introduction of their reusable containers program in dining locations (OZZI). "These containers can be used ---- times before being recycled themselves" (American University).
(what is..) 300 times.
"New reusable takeout containers distributed this month to about 4,000 students on AU meal plans will divert 2,571 pounds of waste from landfills.
Funded by a $24,750 grant from the District of Columbia Ditch the Disposables Award Program, the initiative puts the university one step closer to achieving zero waste by 2030" (American University).
This place in DC has a plastic pollution problem — it has officially been designated by the EPA as 'impaired by trash'.
(what is...) The Anacostia River
Many waterways in the D.C. area are polluted with plastic. But it’s not just bottles and cups and bags: the rivers and creeks also are filled with pieces of plastic so tiny they are barely visible.
These are all strategies to help solve plastic pollution in the U.S.
(Free Space).
(what are...)
1. Government regulation on plastic products and damaging chemicals
2. Investment into reusable models, circular economies, greener alternatives
3. Education, and shifting mindset from plastic use
(and so many more!!)
The most common type of plastic.
(i.e. Beverage bottles, Food bottles/jars (salad dressing, peanut butter, honey, etc.)
(what is...) Polyethylene (PET or PETE)
"This is one of the most commonly used plastics. It’s lightweight, strong, typically transparent and is often used in food packaging and fabrics (polyester)" (Plastic Oceans).