Desktop computers, laptops

Be sure to save any files you want to keep. UW Surplus purges or destroys drives in one of the following ways:

  • Data erasure software following federal government standards.
  • The hard drive is destroyed in a manner that does not allow it to be rebuilt.

Departments can request hard drives be destroyed only. To request physical destruction of hard drives, please add a comment on the surplus request form, i.e., “Do Not Wipe Hard Drives – Destroy ONLY.”

Smartphones, tablets, tablet computers

Smartphones, tablets, and tablet computers will be reset to factory defaults.

Please disable passwords on all electronic devices before surplusing. Depending on the type of device the item may go to a recycle vendor at a cost. However, we prefer to sell devices as that’s their higher and best use, and results in more money for the University.

Furniture

All items must be emptied before being picked up or dropped off. All locks must be unlocked, including cabinets and drawers. If Surplus receives a locked item, the payment worktag will be charged for drilling open the lock and disposal of the contents. If any furniture is suspected of containing asbestos (e.g. exposed mastic) it must be reviewed and approved by the Regulated Materials Office prior to pick up or delivery to the UW Surplus Property warehouse. To request an assessment by the Regulated Materials Office, please submit a request.

Prohibited/special consideration items

Prior to being surplused, all laboratory and patient care items must be cleaned and/or decontaminated regardless of whether or not they came into contact with any biological, chemical, and/or radioactive material. An employee knowledgeable of the hazardous materials used in or near the equipment must prepare the item(s) according to the cleaning and decontamination instructions and verify that the item is safe to handle by UW Facilities or its vendors without the use of personal protective equipment; your department must vouch that the item(s) do not pose a risk to the handlers and receivers. The releasing party retains full responsibility for ensuring the item is cleaned and decontaminated prior to pick up or delivery to the UW Surplus Property warehouse.

UW Moving & Surplus or their vendor have the right to refuse an item if the following cleaning and decontamination procedures have not been properly followed:

  • Item must be free of hazardous materials or hazards.
  • Item must be cleaned inside and out of all visible residue and encrusted material.
  • Item must be emptied and all locks must be unlocked, including cabinets and drawers.
  • Hazard warning labels and signage (e.g., universal biohazard symbol) must be removed or defaced.
  • All laboratory tubing must be removed from the item(s).
  • A Notice of Cleaning and/or Decontamination Form (EH&S) must be completed and affixed to the item(s).

UW Moving & Surplus or their vendor must account for receipt of all items listed on a surplus request. Any prohibited items identified by UW Moving & Surplus or their vendor during the receiving process will be refused and returned to the department. If numerous prohibited items are identified, this may delay the receiving process, and as a result, the surplus request may need to be rescheduled. The department will be responsible for all costs associated with transportation or hazardous waste disposal.

Note: UW Moving & Surplus or their vendor will thoroughly search through all boxes with miscellaneous materials (e.g., a box of misc. lab supplies). If any hazardous materials or hazards are identified, all remaining boxes of miscellaneous materials will be refused and returned to the department.