Reuse has saved more than £27,300, avoided over 2 tonnes of waste, and cut 25 tonnes of carbon.
Now Sanger is taking it a step further. The programme has extended beyond its own walls to other organisations, including universities in Cambridge, London and the South East. This means more items stay in use and less waste goes to landfill.
The programme implementation is led by Claire Rogerson, Environment & Energy Coordinator at Sanger. She said: “At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, world-class science goes hand in hand with responsibility to the environment, to society, and to the future of research. Warp It helps us reuse and share equipment every day. The money we save can go straight back into science, where it has the most impact.”
The range of equipment being reused is wide. Lab items include barcode scanners, centrifuges, gel tanks, cell culture flasks, lab fridges, benches, pipette holders, and cupboards. Office items include clocks, desktop shelves, footrests, mouse mats, lever arch files, and foot stools.
As a global leader in genomics and data-driven discovery, Sanger is committed to using resources wisely. Warp It puts this into practice by making reuse and collaboration part of daily operations.
Warp It has replaced the old email system, making it faster and easier for staff to share surplus items. Reuse is now being incorporated into Sanger’s procurement and waste policies, so a culture of sustainability is reinforced across the organisation.
Claire added: “Warp It isn’t just about saving money or reducing waste. By making reuse part of our everyday operations, we’re helping our teams collaborate beyond
our own walls. This supports connected organisations while ensuring valuable equipment continues to deliver scientific benefit.”
Sanger’s participation in Warp It reflects a broader ethos: empowering science through data, digital infrastructure, shared resources, and now physical assets.
Warp It also supports Sanger’s major scientific programmes, including Tree of Life initiative, which improves understanding of life on Earth for conservation, biodiversity, and society. Warp It complements other sustainability initiatives taking place at Sanger, including the UCL Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), helping labs reduce waste, improve efficiency, and make the most of resources without compromising scientific excellence.
All financial savings go straight back into research, supporting Sanger’s mission to advance science for the benefit of humanity.
Hester Sharpe, Environmental & Sustainabilty Manager at Sanger, concluded: “Warp-It has provided a practical way to make better use of our resources and reduce waste. Teams across the Institute — including logistics and operations — have embraced the platform, helping it gain real traction. We’re looking forward to opening the system to schools, charities, and local companies to extend its benefits even further. Our growing collaboration through Warp It shows how sustainability, efficiency, and world-class research can work together to create positive outcomes for science, society, and the planet.”