Columbia University is taking action to reduce our carbon footprint. If we lead by example, we will improve the sense of responsibility felt by our community for their actions through both education and demonstration. Ranging from energy conservation efforts, to award-winning reuse programs and recycling efforts, Columbia is fully dedicated toward creating a greener, more sustainable planet for all.
At Columbia, we recognize that to be truly sustainable is to take a multi-faceted and multi-tiered approach. We are looking to tackle these issues through world-renowned research occurring right here on our campus, engaging staff leadership and individual participation.
Welcome to Sustainable Columbia!
Every member of the Columbia community has a role to play in achieving our sustainability goals. Now, all new hire orientations will include a three-minute video introduction to Sustainable Columbia, giving context to the broader culture of sustainability on campus along with eco-friendly actions individuals can take in their new role. New hires and veterans alike — take a look!
Make a Difference Today
Every member of the Columbia community has a role to play in achieving our sustainability goals. Learn how you can make a difference and help build a healthier, more sustainable Columbia.
News
Columbia University Receives State Recycling Leadership Award
The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) awarded Columbia University with the Recycling Leadership Award for our efforts over the past year to promote recycling, composting, and other initiatives to reduce waste to landfill.
Columbia University Named a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists
The League of American Bicyclists has honored Columbia with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.
Columbia Transportation Survey Results Report a Decrease in Drive-alone Commutes
More Columbia commuters are choosing sustainable travel options to get to and from campus, according to the results of Columbia Transportation’s 2018 Commute and Travel survey. The last time the survey was distributed in 2016, 2.8 percent of students and 16.2 percent of staff answered that they drive alone to campus. In 2018, those numbers decreased to 1.7 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.
We Recycle Columbia-owned Office Furniture
The ReUse Program is a network for exchanging University-owned office furniture and other items among colleagues. The program is a collaboration between the Office of Environmental Stewardship, department administrators across campus, Columbia Community Service, and Facilities & Operations.
What to throw, and where?
Understanding proper waste segregation is crucial to a successful recycling program at Columbia.
The more Columbia recycles, the more we save money and contribute to a sustainable environment. Environmental Stewardship works with campus partners such as Environmental Health and Safety and Columbia Facilities to improve the University's recycling efforts. In recent years, the community recycled hundreds of tons of mixed paper and cardboard, 155 tons of electronics, 45 tons of lamps, 20 tons of batteries, tens of tons of glass, metal, and plastic, and much more. Check our Programs and Initiatives database for more about Columbia's waste and recycling initiatives.
Know where to throw; learn the basics of recycling within the Columbia Housing community.
If it's wet, sticky, or otherwise icky, keep it out of recycling containers, otherwise the entire load risks being downgraded to trash.
Do you know the proper way to recycle this common item?
Throw your plastic sushi container in the blue bin. Wooden chopsticks go in the trash.