I want this...I don't want that

This page will NOT tell you how to dispose of chemicals or hazardous waste. Please see the "Safety" section for that information.

This page will tell you how to PROPERLY:

• Borrow or lend items
• Obtain items from the Surplus Barn
• Transfer items within or outside of PSIS
• Sell unwanted equipment on or off campus
• Dispose of unwanted items

Please note that a lot of old equipment is still on University Inventory. If we are ever audited and an item is missing because it was not properly sold/transferred/disposed of, the database might still point to you. So, PLEASE follow instructions on how to properly change inventory!

How To Borrow & Lend Items :

Need to take a desktop or laptop computer home for an extended period of time? Bought an item that needs to be used somewhere other than in one of our facilities? Want to lend a microscope or whatever to a High School teacher for a project? Does another department or collaborator want to use your equipment at their facility? Fine...just make sure we have a record of it.

Please fill out a Request for Temporary use of Departmental Equipment Form.

Please note that this form must be signed by the Department Head to be valid. The form must be renewed annually and remain on file with PSIS. We suggest that you keep a copy as well.

How To Obtain Items from the Surplus Barn:

Need a desk, bookshelves, or extra file cabinets? You never know what furniture will be available in the Surplus Barn. Inventory changes every week, and it's all FREE!

The Surplus Barn is at 115 Tillson Farm Road on campus, and is open on Wednesday mornings from 9:00AM - 10:00AM. For more information, go to the Office of Waste Management website.

How To Transfer Items Within or Outside of PSIS:

Don't need your useable equipment anymore? Maybe someone else in PSIS does. Please send out a PSIS group Email to find out if anyone is interested.

If you want to permanently transfer the equipment to a PSIS colleague, fill in a Surplus Equipment Disposal & Transfer Form (SED). Look for a Bar Code Tag on your item that begins with UMA. If there is no UMA Bar Code, put "NONE" where asked. Also, when describing the item, please write the manufacturer, model #, and serial # if possible. Be sure to check "T" for transfer, and indicate where the item will be transferred to . If you need Moving Services to move the item for you, indicate that on the form as well. The form must be signed by Phyllis or the Department Head.

If nobody in PSIS wants the item and you wish to give it permanently to someone in another department, same deal as above. Please fill out the SED, and send it to The Department Head or Phyllis to be signed.

Please keep in mind that if your unwanted equipment is useable and worth over $100, it may be offered for sale on or off campus. Please see the "Sale" section below.

How To Sell Unwanted Equipment On or Off Campus:

If any unwanted equipment is valued at greater than $100.00, it may be sold to someone on or off campus, and the Department will recieve the money. The UMass Procurement Department must be in charge of finding a buyer and completing the transaction. This is a very complex process, most of which is out of PSIS hands.

Phyllis will help you get started with the proper form so contact her first.

Want to see some items currently for sale by Procurement? Some are available to UMass Departments only and others to general public bidding.

How To Properly Dispose Of Unwanted Items:

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? If you can't properly give it away (see transfer) or properly sell it (see sell), want to get rid of it all?

Fill out a Surplus Equipment Disposal & Transfer Form (SED)

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 SED.

Look for a Bar Code Tag on your item that begins with UMA. If there is no UMA Bar Code, put "NONE" where asked. 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 "Approvals" 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 Office of Waste Management, and keep a copy in the Department files, in case it is needed for an audit.

AFTER the form has been sent to Phyllis, 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. Waste Management 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 Management website for links to information about Recycling