Summer Edition

Columbia's Campus Gets Greener: 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'

All Paper to Be Recycled

BY LAUREN MARSHALL

Columbia University is currently implementing a new, colorful, comprehensive recycling plan for the Morningside campus, to be fully operational in September.

The new recycling plan proposed by the environmental and waste management consulting firm, Great Forest, is modeled after New York City's recycling program. Now Columbia's trash will be separated based on three color-coded categories: green for ALL paper, blue for bottles and cans, and black for trash. The white recycling cans currently in dorms and offices will be labeled with the new color-coded "Columbia Conserves" crown logo. Larger recepticles will be lined with matching plastic bags.

Implementation is currently underway. When staff training and campus-wide implementation is complete in September, all residential halls, academic and administrative buildings will be on the new system.

Effective recycling is the first step in Columbia's new comprehensive environmental awareness program called "Columbia Conserves."

In the coming months, Columbia will include an increase in the purchasing of recyclable materials and items with minimal packaging. For more information and conservation tips, consult http://www.columbia.edu/cu/green/