Sustainable Office Advancement Roadmap (SOAR)

What is SOAR and why get involved?

SOAR is a University-wide sustainability campaign that helps Columbia schools and departments take meaningful, measurable action toward our sustainability goals. The program offers high-impact, vetted, and easy-to-implement actions that reduce emissions, save money, and support Plan 2030 priorities—especially Culture Change and Campus as a Living Lab. Participate to make sustainability part of everyday operations.

Learn More about Each Area of SOAR

waste
Centralized Waste

Replacing individual desk-side bins with shared, three-stream waste stations (recycling, paper, landfill) in high-traffic areas to reduce plastic liners, improve sorting accuracy, reduce pest risk, and improve efficiency, while saving money and reducing emissions.

copier
Print Procurement

Centralizing printers and replacing deskside units with shared multi-function devices (MFDs) reduces Columbia's environmental footprint while saving money. MFDs use fewer materials, require less maintenance, and free up valuable space.

bottles
Plastic Bottled Water Procurement

Bottled water contributes to plastic waste, emissions from production and transport, and long-term pollution. The Office of Sustainability can help schools and departments transition away from bottled water by working with Facilities to identify feasible water connections and establish convenient water bottle filling stations in your building.

SOAR News

Related Information

history icon
History of SOAR
group icon
Campus as Lab Collaboration
list-alt icon
Think Tank Outcomes