Clean & Swap is an annual event when Pitt employees and graduate students can clear out unwanted office and laboratory items, then “shop” among the items for free! All donated items will find new homes with other Pitt departments, via Pitt Surplus, or with local nonprofits.
By reusing office supplies, departments can save resources (of all kinds) and reduce waste to the landfill. Since 2020, Pitt has diverted over 8 tons (16,083 pounds) of office and medical supplies through Clean & Swap.
Office Materials
- Books
- Electronics: Desktop printers, laptops, monitors, CPUs, peripherals (mice, keyboards, cables, etc.), phones, cameras, etc.
- Contact Pitt Surplus for large items
- Furniture: Desks, chairs, tables, etc.
- Kitchenette Items: Coffee makers, microwaves, toasters, cutlery, dishware, mini-fridges, etc
- Office Supplies: Folders, binders, paper, ink & toner, clipboards, paper and binder clips, pens, markers, etc.
- Office Essentials: Filing cabinets, organizational items, dry erase boards, desk lamps, plants, wall decor, etc
- Textiles: Clothing, shoes, other fabrics
Medical Supplies
Accepted Donation Items:
- Canes
- Crutches
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs (manual only)
- Shower chairs/benches
- Nebulizer machines and accessories
- Incontinence supplies
- Portable suction pumps
- Blood pressure monitors (home use, non-mercury)
- Medical Supplies (unopened, unused, do not I expire for 1s (with and
- Syringes (with and without needles)
- Ostomy supplies
- Wound care supplies (bandages, gauze, etc.)
- Other (please contact prior to dropping off)
All donations must be unused. Although Global Links doesn't accept expired products we will be collecting them to redistribute to other departments.
Clean & Swap Partners
Clean & Swap is a cross-campus and regional partnership, including the following organizations who accept the materials year-round, reducing waste and supporting communities near and far:
History of Clean & Swap
2020 – The first Clean & Swap was held, redirecting 728 pounds of unwanted office and laboratory items to other Pitt departments, Pitt Surplus, and the Educational Partnership.
2022 – Clean & Swap helped divert 1.5 tons (3,156 pounds) of office and medical supplies no longer needed by Pitt offices, labs, and departments. An call for donations of unwanted medical supplies for local nonprofit Global Links was added.
2023 – Clean & Swap helped divert 3 tons (6,427 pounds) of office items, medical supplies, and personal electronics from the landfill. Through connections made at Clean & Swap, 7,800 face shields were saved from the landfill by connecting a department with overstock with another department in need.
2024 – Clean & Swap diverted just under 3 tons (5,772 lbs) of lab and medical supplies, office supplies, textiles, and books from the landfill. Over the 2-day event, 165 individuals “shopped” among the items, keeping the majority of items donated right here on campus!