Whenever the renovation of a Columbia space requires the removal of gently used furniture, the University seeks to keep large items from landfills. Through the ReUse Program, gently used furniture is rehomed to other Columbia spaces, nonprofits, or other New York-area small and local businesses. The program is a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, Facilities and Operations, department administrators across campus, and Columbia Community Service.
Through its vast network of Columbia vendors, local and small businesses, and schools and churches, the Facilities and Operations’ Construction Business Initiatives (CBI) team identifies entities in the New York area that may benefit from office furniture. In this case, the CBI team connected the tables and chairs from Interchurch to KCM Contracting. These additional furniture items recently came in handy when KCM Contracting hosted a New York Empire State Development Business Growth Accelerator program meeting. “I was so proud to have been able to fit everyone in my office comfortably,” said Roxanne Guerrerio, President of KCM.
