Laboratories often produce vast amounts of waste, due to frequent personnel turnover, lab moves, and changing research needs. 

The increased use of single-use plastics, including personal protective equipment (PPE) in laboratories, also contributes significantly to this problem.

However, the rate of reusing lab equipment and materials is on the rise through the Warp It reuse and redistribution system. This is mainly driven by sustainability and green strategies, alongside lab supply shortages, affecting equipment and materials including gloves, pipette tips and refrigerators, due to increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, production shortages, and delays in packaging or sterilisation.

Lab equipment includes: funnels; test tubes; bottles and beakers; flasks; lab stands; microscopes; burettes and pipettes; burners; rubber tubing, and a wide range of safety equipment.

Renovating a lab and upgrading its equipment is inevitable, and before work starts it’s vital to have a clear plan on what to do with old lab tools. There are a few choices available, including donating equipment or selling them, but one of smartest options is to reuse lab equipment, materials, and tools. This reduces surplus equipment, supplies, and waste disposal costs.

In our mission to enhance reuse in the Warp It community, we are holding an online workshop on Wednesday 9 March at 1pm to discuss how to increase the rate and improve facilitation of the reuse of lab equipment.

Above: Lab equipment includes: funnels; test tubes; bottles and beakers; flasks; lab stands; microscopes; burettes and pipettes.

What are the key considerations?

• What are the parameters and standards affecting the reuse of lab equipment?
• How will biological and chemical safety and decontamination be managed and monitored?
• How will the restoration of lab equipment, with components and spare parts, be included?
• What other issues or challenges would you anticipate in the reuse of lab equipment?

Areas of improvement within our software may include:

• How can Warp It support tracking and controlling of lab equipment destined for reuse?
• How can Warp It support the reuse and redistribution of spare parts and components needed to refurbish lab equipment?
• Can Warp It help with storage, stock, and inventory management of lab equipment?
• Assets can be matched using the Warp It wish list and watch list features. Can these functions be improved or expanded?
• Making the donation process to charities and third-sector organisations as simple as possible.

Interested in learning more? Join us on Wednesday 9 March at 1pm to discuss how to increase the rate and improve facilitation of the reuse of lab equipment. This event will be valuable for Warp It admins, lab managers, research managers, medical facility managers, and anyone interested in reusing lab equipment, materials and consumables.

Watch this video to see how Warp It will benefit your lab, research, or medical facility.