Columbia University had a big problem called Reality House: Two stories in an abandoned drug rehab clinic, filled with years worth of patient and financial records, derelict computers, used furniture, and building materials from partially constructed offices. With IRN’s help, Columbia turned big problem into major opportunity. Employing trainees from Nontraditional Employment for Women (NOW), Columbia provided practical on-the-job training in deconstruction, at the same time cleaning out and cleaning up the space to achieve >90% recycling and reuse, and safe, legal disposition of electronic equipment and confidential records. Truckloads of furnishings and building materials were provided to local nonprofit Build It Green – NYC, and reinjected straight back into the local community. All this was provided at a cost to Columbia tens of thousands of dollars less than hiring a contractor to demolish the space and haul the stuff to disposal.
