Held on 7 August, the event promoted resource sharing, circular economy principles and sustainability across UNSW laboratories.
Operating a lab requires constant investment in equipment and consumable products like pipettes, flasks and tubes. Due to the variable nature of research, large volumes of these items often go unused, become redundant or expire. These unused products take up space in labs before eventually being disposed through University waste streams. Lab consumables and equipment are also one of UNSW’s top five supply chain carbon emissions sources.
The goal of the lab swap was to redistribute these unused items across other labs, save money, free up storage space and avoid unnecessary disposal into waste streams.
How does the lab swap work?
Staff were asked to donate unused lab items which were sorted into categories. On the day of the event, staff were invited to claim the donated equipment or consumables, and then had the opportunity to network with colleagues over afternoon tea.
Approximately 60 UNSW students and staff participated in the lab swap, with nearly 80 boxes of consumables and seven pieces of equipment donated. The most popular items were four 3D printers that were snatched up straightaway. It was a successful first event, with more than 70% of items claimed and the majority of remaining consumables donated to UNSW stores. An estimated $26,000 worth of lab items were swapped, resulting in approximately 12 tonnes of CO2e emissions avoided compared with buying these items new.
What’s next?
With the positive result and feedback from the first lab swap event, the TechNet committee are excited to announce a second swap is planned for December 2024, taking advantage of the end-of-year clean out many labs undergo.
How to participate?
Make sure you join the TechNet Teams page to keep up to date with upcoming events.
TechNet is a national network of staff working in labs. The UNSW branch of TechNet run events open to all lab users. From TechNetter of the Month awards to social events and support in attending conferences, there is something for everyone at TechNet, so join now!
How else can I contribute to lab sustainability?
If you are interested in laboratory sustainability, consider signing up for LEAF. A key initiative of the UNSW Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-24, LEAF is a green labs accreditation program available to all students and staff working in UNSW labs.
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