While bidding farewell to 2009, the campus community kicked off the new year by cleaning their living and working spaces ... while going green! As part of the first ever "Clean, Give, + Go Green" program held on December 16-17, 2009 at the Morningside campus, community members were encouraged to reuse or donate used clothing, books, and small household items; recycle computers, furniture, and electronic equipment; or take advantage of the free paper shredding that was held on College Walk.
The turnout was even better than predicted, with community members donating 11.5 large bins filled with clothing, 2.5 bins of coats, 2.8 bins of books, 2 bins of shoes, and 8 bins with miscellaneous items, including food, toiletries, and art supplies. In addition to these particulars, numerous items were collected for recycling. They include: 1.8 tons of paper and cardboard, 3.5 tons of metal, 5.5 tons of computer components, and 1 ton of bulk waste.
Of the 2.5 bins of coats, Public Safety delivered more than half to the NYPD's 26th Precinct, a drop off point for New York Cares, an annual citywide coat drive for the needy. Broadway Community, Inc., a social service agency housed at Broadway Presbyterian Church, and Wearable Collections, a New York metro-area company, received the rest of the clothing for their homeless clients. Numerous books were "adopted" by passersby, allowing them to be reused and leaving about five cartons that will find their way to a local nursing home and local sellers.
The "Clean, Give, + Go Green" program was a hybrid event, combining Columbia University Facilities' faculty and staff targeted "Clean + Go Green" program with Undergraduate Housing's student-focused "Give + Go Green." The two groups also partnered with Columbia University Information Technology, Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Stewardship, and Eco-Reps to carry out this event. Dumpsters were available across campus, at no cost, for the disposal of large unwanted items. Through these efforts, when community members cleaned their spaces, they were also able to "go green" by purging unwanted items in an environmentally friendly way. Facilities was on hand to assist with the collection of items and to properly separate and recycle them.
If you missed this winter's "Clean, Give, + Go Green" but would like additional information on recycling or need other facilities-related information, please contact the Facilities Services Center at (212) 854-2222 or http://www.facilities.columbia.edu/. Visit us again for additional information on our on-campus recycling programs.
