Recycling is one of the most visible areas of any sustainability effort, and is arguably the most robust sustainability-related program at Columbia.
Since its inception in 2005, Columbia’s current recycling program has matured to the point where it is now comprehensive and quite successful. The current scope of the recycling program includes paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, batteries and techno-trash. We also encourage reuse on campus through the creation of “Rich’s List,” an online venue to post and swap items such as furniture and office supplies.
The importance of a successful recycling program cannot be understated because it crosses virtually every department, is highly visible, and requires action on the part of the participant. The Recycling Green Team rallied around ways to further make progress towards their vision and collaborate with other departments to focus on waste reduction and reducing overall consumption. Because the group is already well-established, the Green Team took a creative approach to raising awareness and participation in their programs. The goals and initiatives established by the Recycling Green Team were as follows:
