Columbia University’s sustainability-driven ReUse Program has given a new purpose to gently used office furniture from the Interchurch Center—this time at the Yonkers-based construction firm KCM Contracting. The transfer happened earlier this year during a major gut renovation of the 500 and 800 levels of the Interchurch Center, where furniture removal created an opportunity for reuse rather than disposal.
The University’s longstanding practice is to divert bulky items away from landfills whenever possible, and the ReUse Program plays a central role. The initiative relies on a coordinated effort among the Office of Sustainability, Facilities and Operations, campus department administrators, and Columbia Community Service to identify recipients that can make meaningful use of surplus items. Through this pipeline, furniture is regularly rehomed to other Columbia buildings as well as nonprofits, schools, churches, and local small businesses throughout New York.
This particular match came through the Facilities and Operations Construction Business Initiatives (CBI) team, which maintains relationships with a wide network of vendors and community partners. By leveraging those connections, the team located an ideal recipient: KCM Contracting, a woman-owned small construction company in Yonkers in need of additional office furnishings.
The tables and chairs from the Interchurch Center quickly proved their value. KCM recently used the furniture while hosting a New York Empire State Development Business Growth Accelerator program meeting—an event that brought several stakeholders into one room.
“I was so proud to have been able to fit everyone in my office comfortably,” said Roxanne Guerrerio, President of KCM.
The transfer reflects more than just recycling—it highlights a community-centric approach to supporting small businesses, enhancing workspaces, and promoting sustainability across the region.
Columbia’s ReUse Program has grown significantly in recent years as more projects involve full-floor renovations and modernizations. As buildings transition to updated designs and layouts, large volumes of desks, seating, conference tables, and shelving are cycled out. Instead of discarding them, the University catalogs items and coordinates with partners who can place them in new settings.
For firms like KCM Contracting, the benefit goes beyond cost savings. Many growing small contractors struggle to upgrade their offices in ways that support team collaboration, host larger meetings, or present professionally to clients. Repurposed furniture helps bridge that gap, enabling small companies to scale comfortably and efficiently.
This reuse model also aligns with New York City’s broader sustainability goals, which encourage adaptive reuse, minimize waste, and extend the lifespan of usable materials. By participating, companies like KCM contribute to a regional effort to reduce environmental impacts while strengthening ties within the local business ecosystem.
As Columbia continues modernization projects across campus, more opportunities for redistribution will emerge—creating an ongoing cycle of sustainability, community impact, and support for small and local businesses.
Originally reported by Columbia University in the City Of New York.
