Resources Management

• AUC’s New Cairo campus has two sources of water supply: Domestic water and treated wastewater. Domestic water is potable and is sourced from the municipal infrastructure system. Treated wastewater is obtained from municipal treatment facilities and undergoes further processing at the on-campus treatment plant. On campus, domestic water is primarily utilized for air conditioning, cooling towers and building functions, while treated wastewater is exclusively used for landscape irrigation.
• The Office of Sustainability measures the total volume of water consumed on campus, based on monthly data obtained from the Office of Facilities and Operations, including both domestic water and treated wastewater, to analyze on-campus water consumption trends.
• AUC's water conservation efforts encompass the two types of water: Domestic and treated. As for the domestic water, several features have been implemented, including water-efficient appliances, such as low-discharge flush valves in toilets and low-flow faucets and low-flow showerheads installed in student residences, the sports complex and faculty housing buildings.
• AUC's water conservation efforts include utilizing treated wastewater, implementing drip irrigation and using humidity sensors for irrigating landscaped areas on campus. In 2012, the University decided to use treated wastewater for landscape irrigation as a more resource-efficient and cost-effective alternative to drinking water. In addition to decreasing overall domestic water use, this decision has led to cost savings, decreased energy consumption and a reduced carbon footprint. As a result, it has significantly lowered cumulative emissions over the years compared to relying solely on domestic water for irrigation.
• Implementing water conservation techniques on campus not only reduces water consumption but also decreases overall energy use. The growing local demand for a finite water supply highlights the need for more efficient water usage and innovative wastewater reuse, which are essential for conserving our already limited water resources.

• For more details on the topic, you can visit the following pages:

  • Sustainability Report 2024

  • Carbon Footprint Report 2025

• The New Cairo campus is located in a desert climate where air conditioning is needed for more than half the year; thus, the vast majority of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions result from the consumption of energy for the HVAC system. Not to mention, equipment such as office desktop computers, printers, scanners and lighting consumes large quantities of energy, given that the campus is heavily populated during the academic year.
• Data on electricity consumption is provided by AUC’s Office of Buildings and Grounds based on monthly readings of AUC’s digital meters connected to the Building Management System (BMS). The ERCE Committee monitors, tracks and discusses consumption patterns monthly to spearhead various initiatives aiming at improving the management of the HVAC system and chilled and hot water production, as well as reducing consumption of electricity for lighting and other non-HVAC equipment. Efficient energy management initiatives include the following:
  • Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) are commonly used in HVAC equipment and inverter technology has been implemented in AC split units throughout the campus and the newly installed AC units do not use R22 refrigerant.
  • To minimize electricity waste, AUC exclusively utilizes LED lights for outdoor fixtures and high-efficiency tube lights and motion sensors are installed in corridors. Ongoing awareness campaigns encourage students, faculty and staff to turn off lights when leaving a room or when there is sufficient natural light coming through the windows. Additionally, Lutron software is employed to control lighting throughout the campus.
  • A Building Management System (BMS) is in place, serving as a computer-based control system to monitor and manage the mechanical and electrical equipment in buildings, including ventilation, power supply, fire safety systems and security systems.
  • Occupancy sensors are installed in classrooms and meeting rooms to adjust temperature settings and ensure that lights are turned off when these spaces are not in use. 
  • Energy-efficient water dispensers that meet green specifications are installed on campus to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors with filtered, chilled drinking water. 

• For more details on the topic, you can visit the following pages:

  • Sustainability Report 2024

  • Carbon Footprint Report 2025

• Every day, students, faculty and staff collectively generate a significant amount of solid waste, which includes cans, plastics, paper and other trash items. Consequently, it is imperative to reduce the waste stream and divert as much recyclable material as possible from landfills. 
• The Clean and Green Committee was established to develop an effective recycling program on campus, comprising a dedicated group of faculty and staff members. In 2013, the committee initiated a recycling initiative that featured six-bin sorting stations for the collection of glass, plastic, cans, paper, food and other waste. By 2016, the recycling stations were streamlined to four-bin stations designated for plastic, cans, food and general trash. In response to issues related to contamination, the food bins were subsequently discontinued. The current campus-wide recycling program includes the installation of 48 outdoor three-bin sorting stations in the most frequented locations on AUC's New Cairo campus, specifically designated for the collection of plastics, cans and general trash. The Office of Sustainability has constructed an on-campus compacting station since 2015 to compress the separated plastic, cans and paper. The sorted, compacted and weighted recyclable trash is sold to commercial recyclers and the proceeds are used to fund sustainability-related projects.
• The University has established a comprehensive objective for waste reduction, with a primary focus on minimizing single-use plastic waste, particularly the use of disposable water bottles. These items represent a significant source of environmental pollution. The majority of plastic waste ultimately accumulates in landfills, where it may take centuries to decompose fully. To mitigate this challenge, the University has upgraded the drinking water stations on campus (see map below) by installing user-friendly water dispensers that provide filtered, chilled drinking water for the benefit of students, faculty, staff and visitors. By enhancing the drinking water infrastructure, AUC encourages its community members to utilize refillable water bottles instead of purchasing single-use plastic alternatives.
• AUC has over 60 acres of greenery with plants, trees and date palms that help store and sequester carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis, purifying the air and reducing AUC's carbon footprint. The landscaping unit employs sustainable procedures to reuse the organic waste on campus, including composting landscaping waste from plant residues like pruned tree branches and grass cuttings. This composting technique helps reduce carbon emissions by using a mix of on-campus organic fertilizer produced from composting landscape waste and a small amount of purchased synthetic fertilizer. It is worth noting that synthetic fertilizers contribute to higher carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions due to their elevated nitrogen content compared to traditional compost. Thus, using landscape waste as an organic compost results in lower carbon emissions when utilized as fertilizer, facilitates the sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions that would otherwise occur if organic waste were to decompose naturally and enhances soil quality by improving water retention, thereby reducing the demand for irrigation water and the associated carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions linked to its supply. 

• For more details on the topic, you can visit the following pages:

  • Landscape

  • Sustainability Report 2024

  • Carbon Footprint Report 2025

Map of Current Water Dispensers on Campus