Reuse
The University began its reuse journey in 2015 by launching Warp It, an online platform for reuse. Since then, over 3000 items have been reused at a value of over £250,000 and carbon savings are over 150,000kg. We have also connected with charities and schools by donating kitchenware to a homeless shelter, chairs to schools in the Gambia, flower planters to a community project and lots more. We continue to encourage reuse in the university to support our sustainability goal of reducing the amount of waste we produce, and carbon emissions.
Why reuse?
Sustainability - Reuse is part of the Sustainability Team agenda because it can drive impactful benefits. Every new purchase impacts the environment in a multitude of ways throughout its manufacturing process, for example sourcing of raw natural materials like wood and metal can result in destruction of wildlife. By reusing existing furniture, we reduce demand for new and avoid these impacts.
When an item is no longer needed and deemed as waste, putting it in the bin is harmful too. Our waste provider takes apart furniture for recyclable elements however it is difficult to take everything apart so some parts will be disposed of as general waste. This waste is burnt in Energy From Waste (EFW) facilities which creates electricity and significant carbon emissions. By reusing, and sometimes repairing, items aren’t seen as waste and are saved from the bin.
Departmental benefits – everything is free! Items will arrive quicker than ordering online, and you avoid filling out purchase orders.
How to reuse
What can be reused?
Everything can be reused; tables, chairs, stationery and shelves or those random bits in the corner of your office that no one knows how they got there...! The only exception is digital equipment which should be sent to IT, or please discuss with your Building Manager if you aren't sure.
What is Warp It?
We are members of Warp It (Waste Action Reuse Portal), an online reuse network for organisations. It’s a marketplace, like Vinted or Freecycle, where items are advertised for browsing and claiming – but everything is free. Warp It makes it easy for the Estates & Facilities department to reuse surplus furniture, and individuals can advertise their spare items for others to claim too. Currently the site is only open to staff members, not students.
Register with Warp It
To browse items online please register with Warp It at our Salford portal. Please use your staff email and information.
How to use
- Learn how to add an item
- Learn how to claim an item
Technical support is available from Warp It administrators info@warp-it.co.uk.
Reuse Hub
The Sustainability Team are pleased to announce the opening of a reuse hub for furniture, stationery, odd bits and ends. This will work in conjunction with the online Warp It system but offers our staff the opportunity to view items in person.
Our opening hours are 12:00 to 13:30 every Thursday in Newton Building G50.
Charity and school donations
Are you involved with a local charity, community group, faith service or club? Are you looking for furniture or other resources for your activities? Look no further! Through Warp It we can connect and transfer our surplus assets to you for free at the charity sign up page. You must be any group delivering a social objective to join so sports clubs, scouts and brownies, or any groups with community outreach can join.
We also frequently work with schools to donate our equipment so don’t hesitate to talk to your local school and put them in touch with us, they can sign up at the school sign up page.