Columbia Print Partners with PrintReleaf to Fund Replanting of Trees

Columbia Print has partnered with PrintReleaf, a company that measures paper consumption and automatically converts the total into trees planted at certified reforestation sites around the world. Through the partnership, every recorded print project will result in the equivalent planting of trees – restoring forests and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

PrintReleaf provides a dynamic dashboard that displays Columbia Print’s paper consumption in pounds alongside the number of standard trees reforested. Since signing on in December 2023, Columbia Print has already helped to reforest 487 trees in various reforestation efforts. 

This is not a carbon offset: Columbia Print’s operations are low-impact even by industry standards – using 100% recycled paper for stationery, business cards and all black-and-white print jobs. They also use 30% recycled paper for color print jobs, as well as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper products. This step only strengthens the Print team’s environmental impact efforts. 

“As the University’s source for print production, we want to make sure our customers are not only getting the highest quality work from us, but also know that our business is in alignment with University sustainability goals,” said Matthew Dougherty, Director of Columbia Print. “In partnering with PrintReleaf, we can now offer our campus partners yet another benefit of doing business with us.” 

Every Columbia Print order now automatically syncs with PrintReleaf to plant trees at no additional cost to customers. As a Columbia Print customer, you can choose to include a PrintReleaf badge on your project at no additional cost to let your community know that it supports the initiative. 

Through PrintReleaf, new trees are planted in certified global forests which are designated for conservation and restoration and are audited for survivability. Sustaining and growing global forests is an important step in mitigating global climate change because trees provide important habitats for wildlife, reduce erosion, protect waterways, protect natural resources, and absorb carbon from the atmosphere.  

According to PrintReleaf’s website, reforestation projects address a number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) such as: No Poverty, Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life On Land, and Partnerships for the Goals.

“PrintReleaf is excited and honored to partner with Columbia University’s print operations,” said Jordan Darragh, Founder and CEO of PrintReleaf. “Together, we are positioned to provide a net positive forest impact as a result of the partnership, which further strengthens the University’s commitment to sustainable practices.”  

Columbia Print is committed to reducing its environmental impact and supporting the University’s sustainability goals through its daily operations. In addition to PrintReleaf, Columbia Print’s sustainability initiatives include using recycled paper and transporting products with hybrid or electric vehicles. Columbia Print also partners with Ricoh for its copier program to save paper, reduce energy consumption, and keep reusable materials out of landfills by recycling ink and toner cartridges. 

“We’re proud to partner with PrintReleaf and show yet again through our actions that Columbia is committed to sustainability,” said Mike Pagan, Assistant Vice President for Administrative Services at Columbia. “We’re always looking for opportunities to be transparent about our environmental impact and drive solutions.” 

To learn more about PrintReleaf, visit printreleaf.com. For more on Columbia University’s sustainability initiatives, visit the Sustainable Columbia website.