Get Rid of It

Got "stuff" in your facility that you've been hanging on to for years, thinking that you'll use it someday? Bought a new instrument or computer but still have the obsolete equipment taking up space? Did you inherit some interesting, but useless "stuff" that has been in your facility since you moved there? Want to get rid of it all? As with everything else, there are DOs and DO NOTs, and always a form to fill out.

Let's start with some DO NOTs:

• DO NOT just put large, broken or obsolete equipment into the hall (or worse, into common space or someone else's space...how rude!). This goes for old large furniture items too. The custodians are not responsible for getting rid of this "stuff" and nobody else will pick it up without being properly notified. Sneaking it to the trash area outside of the building may appear to be a safe way of getting something out of your hair, but this is also wrong, and may come back to haunt you. Please note that a lot of the old equipment is on University Inventory, and you may be associated as the responsible person for it. If we are audited and the item is missing (because it was not properly disposed of), the database will point to you. Fill out the proper form first!
• Chemicals and chemical waste are a whole other story. See the Safety Pages on how to have chemicals taken away. DO NOT EVER just put chemicals/waste out in the hallways.
• DO NOT just give away an item, with a UMass Inventory number, to someone else in the department or elsewhere on campus. The Inventory will still point to you as the responsible party. Be safe and fill out the proper form before you give the item away.
• DO NOT EVER take UMass Property off campus for personal use. If you do, you have stolen State property, and that is a crime. If you need to borrow an item, there is a form to fill out in the Main Office in Fernald Hall. This form requires the Department Head's approval to be valid.

Looking for free or cheap items for business use? The Surplus Barn at Tillson Farm has surplus furniture, equipment, etc available every Wednsday from 9:00-10:00AM. Items at the Barn may also be purchased for personal use, only if there are no takers on campus.

How To Properly Dispose Of Unwanted Items:

Fill out an INVENTORY CHANGE FORM

NOTE: If you suspect that the item to be disposed of has any asbestos (in older ovens, heating water baths, transite surfaces on benches or other furniture, etc), mercury (contains thermometers, manometers,etc.) or any other hazardous materials, call Environmental Health & Safety at 5-2682 to inspect and clear the item first. If the item can safely be removed, fill out the Inventory Change Form.

Follow the Instructions as best you can. Look for a Bar Code Tag that begins with UMA on your item. Enter this number where requested in section "C". If there is no UMA Bar Code, put "NONE" in that section. Also, when describing the item, please write the manufacturer, model #, and serial # if possible. Be sure to clearly describe where the item is to be picked up. DO NOT fill out Section "E" as you are NOT authorized to sign for the Department. Either the Departmentment Head or Phyllis Berman can sign for this. Please mail or fax (5-2115) your completed form to Phyllis in Fernald Hall. She will sign the form, fax it to the Property Office, and keep a copy in the Department files, in case needed for an audit.

Move the item to the place that you designated on the form

AFTER the form has been sent to Phyllis, you can You can leave the item in your facility or in a hallway or remote room with a sign that says, "An Inventory Change Form has been submitted for this item. The Property Office will have it removed shortly."

If the item is not removed within 3 weeks, please call or EMail Phyllis to let her know.

Need more information? Questions?

Contact Phyllis at 5-2364 or berman@psis.umass.edu

See the UMass Guide to Surplus Property Management Website for Inventory Changes and access to the Surplus Barn

See the University Waste Managemant Website for links to information about Recycling