The University of Leeds Reuse Programme

The reuse project began in March 2009. This project initially focused on our current situation regarding furniture from procurement through to disposal. Findings revealed that both financial and carbon savings could easily be achieved through a more effective system of furniture management.

Background

The University of Leeds is the second largest in the UK, with 32,800 students and 8,800 staff. As such a large institution, obstacles included inter-departmental communication and storage. Due to this, it became apparent that innovative thinking was required to address this problem effectively.

In July 2009, after working closely with our environmental co-ordinator network, the online furniture reuse network was launched. Essentially an email distribution list, this system provided simple communication links between our many departments and allowed us to reuse rather than dispose of our surplus furniture.

How successful has it been?

Financial:

• Savings of over £360k between July 2009 and March 2011;
• Estimated disposal savings of over £80k.

Environmental:

• Over 50 skips less to landfill;
• Carbon savings of 96.3 tonnes.

Introducing Reuse@Leeds

Due to the overwhelming success of the furniture reuse network, Estates and Campus Support Services have invested in a new, more advanced system for managing our surplus across campus, reuse@leeds.

Reuse@leeds has been developed with procurement in mind, reducing unnecessary emails, being easy to use and in addition to furniture, also incorporates stationery and equipment into the category listings.

Behind the scenes of this new system, accurate records are kept for reporting our progress as well as real-time carbon and financial calculators that maintain a running total of our progress, which are also displayed on the homepage. Reuse@leeds is available to all staff and can be accessed here.

The Future

Reuse@leeds is a framework for further development. We are already working on phase two of the site, which will include:

• RSS feeds;
• Wanted adverts;
• National exchange links;
• Home use procedures.

If you think you may have suggestions for improvement, please use the ‘contact us’ form on the reuse@leeds website, email: reuse@leeds.ac.uk or alternatively, contact Mike Howroyd on 0113 343 7375.