'SET' your sights on reusable supplies


With summer coming to a close in a few short weeks, your department may be doing some rearranging of offices, cleaning out supplies and getting ready for the fall semester to begin. During the process you may come across surplus supplies or you may find you are in need of a few supplies.

With tight budgets and ASU’s zero waste initiatives in full force, SunSET might be just the answer.

Unwanted office supplies are perfect for ASU’s SunSET – Sun (Devils) Surplus Exchange and Transfer. SunSET is an online “Craigslist” that allows faculty and staff to easily exchange office supplies, lab supplies, some furniture and other unneeded items. Through this system, you support ASU’s zero waste initiative by re-using as well as reducing the university’s waste handling costs.  

The process is simple. Whether you need something or want to get rid of something, you can post a message on the SunSET Web site. As always, items with Property Control Numbers still need to be sent to Surplus for proper tracking.

The website has been in existence for about 1 year. It launched in July 2009. The idea for SunSET originated with Bonny Bentzin, ASU’s director of university sustainability practices, and Kerry Suson, manager of Surplus Properties.
SunSET is designed to take care of items that are too small to be sent to Surplus Property.

“The tendency for departments is to throw items like binders or small office supplies in the trash. While Surplus can still pick these items up, we would be happy to see the items go to use in other areas of the university,” says Suson.

The website is primarily sponsored by Surplus Property and Purchasing, with further support from the Global Institute of Sustainability. SunSET may be accessed at www.asu.edu/sunset.