Submitted by Jessica Haskell on Wed, 2020-06-24 16:11
Since implementing WarpIt, the University’s internal reuse and management system, back in 2014 we’ve hit a huge milestone! WarpIt has now passed the £200,000 mark in savings made for the University. That’s 36,725 tonnes of waste, and is equivalent to planting 180 trees.
It’s clear there’s huge potential for reuse within the University. While the shutdown has cut down on the amount of resources being shared over recent months, so far this year we’ve seen everything from office equipment, furniture, toners and laminating pouches, through to lab equipment like pH probes, laminar flow cabinets, and liquid nitrogen dewars all being claimed on the portal!
Peter Lumb leads on the University’s waste & resources strategy. He said:
“With the University spending an estimated £1.5 on waste disposal every year, and far more on purchasing new items, it’s no surprise that we’re making big savings by promoting internal reuse. Staff who use the portal can give themselves a well-earned pat on the back for their great participation.”
WarpIt is designed to make it very easy for staff at the University of Cambridge to give surplus items to other staff. Furthermore, items that aren’t needed within the University can be passed on to partner charities, benefiting the local community as well as the environment. Space is at a premium across the University and we hear that purchasing items can be a time-consuming process. WarpIt is all about saving staff time and money, as well as helping us be smarter with our resources.
In the last year alone:
13 tonnes of waste prevented.
A new item has been added more than once a day on average! (349 items)
93% of items have been claimed internally.
£3,400 worth of items have been donated to charity.
548 new members of staff have also signed up in the last year. What do they say?
Great knowing we are doing our bit for the environment by reusing items. Works really well and all transactions we have completed have been quick and easy.
- Sheree, University of Cambridge WarpIt user
Great way to redistribute items to save waste and the planet!
- Clare, University of Cambridge WarpIt user
Make sure you’re registered with WarpIt so that next time you have an unwanted item taking up valuable space, you’ll be able to easily seek a new home for it. Or if you’re looking for an item, check Warp It or add it to your WarpIt ‘wishlist’ before you buy new!
What items can be reused through Warp It?
Furniture, electrical equipment, fixtures and fittings, office consumables (such as stationery and ink jet cartridges), lab equipment, supplies and medical equipment. But we’re not just limited to this - any resource can be reused. As long as it’s safe and legal to share, it can be transferred.
How do I register?
Visit the University homepage at www.warp-it.co.uk/company/cambridgeuni. Make sure you bookmark it! If you have any questions, please get in touch with environment@admin.cam.ac.uk.