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How To Dispose Of Equipment & Supplies

Remote locations should follow the disposal instructions for remote locations.

The university defines equipment as those items that have a useful life of a year or longer, are free-standing, have an original acquisition value of $5000 or higher, and are inventoried in the Capital Asset Management System (CAMS).

Supply items are non-inventorial items including, but not limited to, furniture, office and laboratory supplies, and building materials.

Although the Bargain Barn will work with Equipment Management to ensure that an item can be sold or otherwise disposed of, you can expedite the process by following the steps below and reviewing policy 350-80 which governs the disposition of excess/surplus property.

How was the item acquired by the department? If it was loaned to the department from an outside agency or government entity, it will most likely need to be returned to the lending party. The original paperwork should be reviewed as appropriate.

Before disposing of any items, always confirm the funding source. There may be restrictions on the disposal of equipment acquired with extramural/government funds. Check the original agreement paperwork for the contract or grant; disposal instructions are often stipulated there. If in doubt, check with Extramural Funds Accounting or Equipment Management.

After ensuring that there aren't any funding source or original acquisition restrictions, complete the Service Request to initiate the sale/disposal process.

• If the Bargain Barn has a market for the asset, follow the instructions on selling.
• If the Bargain Barn does not have a market for the item and you do not wish to donate it to the Bargain Barn, there are several other options to consider:
  • Trade-In. Your department can receive a discount on a new item when a like used item is given to the vendor at the time of purchase (refer to the Procedures section of the Asset Retirement online reference manual for more information).
  • Cannibalization. The item can be "parted out" and used in other items; for example, a disk drive being removed from a non-operational computer and installed in a different computer (refer to the Procedures section of the Asset Retirement online reference manual for more information).

Note: State law prohibits the disposal of waste household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and electronic devices (i.e.; those items containing circuit boards) in regular municipal trash. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to computers, printers, personal data assistants (PDAs), televisions and electronic laboratory items. These items contain harmful chemicals which may harm people or the environment. These items should be diposed of through the Bargain Barn. For disposal of hazardous, chemical, and radioactive wastes, complete the appropriate Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) form.

Keep excess items from being stored or staged on loading docks, trash enclosures, in hallways or outside of buildings. Such items are subject to theft and vandalism, and often create safety, hazardous waste, and/or fire issues.

Save money and time in disposing of items accepted by the Bargain Barn by following our disposal tips.