With frequent office moves, remodeling, and other changes in the fast-paced university setting, high-quality furniture, equipment and supplies can become a burden rather than an asset. In an effort to address this opportunity and better utilize these items, Washington University has signed up for Rheaply, an exciting new software platform that facilitates the internal recirculation of unwanted materials.

This new tool is accessible by staff, faculty and students across departments and campuses and will support peer-to-peer sharing, enabling users to quickly find an item they need, and promotes re-homing unwanted items efficiently through the university.

The main goal for this program is to keep materials out of landfills and reduce the need for departments to buy new items when excellent options are unneeded elsewhere. The result is better utilization of both financial resources and natural resources – a true win-win.

In addition to developing an internal market place that develops a “circular economy” within WashU, we are actively developing relationships with area non-profits and businesses that can utilize materials when an internal placement is not possible.

Come for a demonstration and to learn more about the applications of this tool.