The reuse group idea was introduced to the Lab by Alec Lindman of the Nuclear Science Division when he joined the Lab, drawing on his positive experience with the reuse concept at MIT, where it has been in use for over 25 years. MIT has found that the reuse of materials stretches research dollars while keeping usable materials out of the landfill. The idea was first implemented in the Nuclear Science Division before it was opened to the entire Lab.
Listings are both for items wanted and items up for grabs. The more people who join the group, the better the chance of finding a match. Todd Anderson offered up a 20-liter liquid nitrogen dewar, which was quickly taken.
Not everything listed is research equipment. Christin Buechner in the Climate and Ecosystems Sciences Division, was happy to pass along a Keurig coffee machine to Carl Grace in Engineering. Christin is happy with decluttering her workspace, and Carl is thrilled with the additional caffeine.
“The reuse initiative broadens the availability of equipment or material, potentially diverts from the waste stream, and supplements the salvage process,” said Tom Gallant, Nuclear Sciences Division, one of the early adopters of the process. “It does not replace the excess/salvage process. It adds a step before that process to potentially utilize items that would otherwise end up in the waste stream or leave the laboratory.”
Not all items can be part of the process. Items that cannot be swapped include those you are not the owner or custodian of, items with a DOE asset tag, chemicals, and items that are not free from chemical, biological, radiological, or other hazards. Posted items can only be shared with Lab staff and cannot be donated to others.
Items that are not claimed will continue on to salvage. The new process is endorsed by the Lab’s Property Management group. “Our team is happy to support the scientific mission of the lab by providing services that encourage the full utilization of government assets,” said Brian Moré, Property Manager, OCFO.
Learn more about the process and how to join at Reuse @ LBNL.
