When the renovation of a former office in the Nash Building required the removal of gently used furniture, Columbia University’s Construction Business Initiatives and Office of Sustainability went to work to find it a new home.
Forty-eight pieces of furniture, including desks, chairs, tables, and a mini fridge, were donated to four minority-, woman-, and locally-owned (MWL) businesses and a local nonprofit organization as part of Columbia’s commitment to the local community. Another 31 pieces of furniture were repurposed by Columbia Engineering in student office space in the Mudd Building.
The donation was made possible through Columbia’s Reuse Program, a sustainability initiative that helps minimize waste. By donating and repurposing the furniture, the University helped divert approximately 4,480 pounds of metal, wood, and plastic from the waste stream and landfills.
The ReUse Program is also one of many ways the University uses its resources to support local non-profits and MWL businesses. In collaboration with Facilities and Operations and other university partners, the ReUse Program has facilitated the exchange or donation of University-owned furniture, lockers, bikes, yoga mats, stoves, and other items.
For more information on Facilities and Operation’s community-focused initiatives, visit cufo.columbia.edu/communityinitiatives.
