University College London implemented Warp-It in autumn 2012, replacing an internal message board that had limited reach and no tracking capability. As one of the UK’s largest research universities, UCL generates significant volumes of surplus equipment, particularly laboratory items that are expensive to replace.
UCL’s Warp-It platform quickly became a hub for redistributing high-value lab equipment between departments. Around 50% of monthly exchanges involve laboratory items, making it a critical tool for the university’s research infrastructure.
The platform requires just 30 minutes of admin time per month, making it one of the most cost-effective sustainability initiatives at the university. UCL also joined a network of approximately 15 large London public sector organisations, enabling cross-institutional sharing.
“The beauty of Warp it is that it remains quite low maintenance.”
Paul Monk, Waste Manager, University College London
In just two years, UCL saved over £100,000 and avoided 26 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The platform won an S-Labs award for its innovative approach to redistributing laboratory resources across departments.
The low-maintenance nature of the system has been key to its sustained success, requiring minimal staff time while delivering significant financial and environmental returns.
Start saving money and reducing waste with Warp-It.
