How UniGreenScheme is Transforming Surplus Lab Equipment Reuse – Q&A with Co-Director Ben Glazier

UniGreenScheme is a pioneering business that specialises in the reuse of laboratory equipment, helping institutions, businesses and organisations recover value, reduce waste, and contribute to a greener future.

Q: Ben, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to start UniGreenScheme?

Back in 2014, Mike was still a student when he came to me with the idea for UniGreenScheme. He’d noticed first hand that universities were disposing of valuable equipment simply because it was no longer needed or there wasn’t space to store it. At the time, I was working as a business consultant for Business Wales, and I immediately saw both the environmental and business potential in what he was suggesting. With Mike’s insight and my additional experience, we agreed it was a fantastic venture to build together - and that’s really where UniGreenScheme started.

Q: What sets UniGreenScheme apart from other surplus equipment resellers?

At the heart of it, we’re solving a real problem that universities and labs have struggled with for years - what to do with surplus lab equipment. Too often, valuable items were either left to gather dust in storerooms or written off as waste because there simply wasn’t a practical solution. UniGreenScheme gives institutions and organisations that missing route: a safe, simple way to clear space, recover value, and keep equipment in circulation.

What makes us different is that while we’ve grown as a business, the environmental focus has never changed. Every piece of kit we rehome means fewer resources wasted, fewer new items manufactured, and lower carbon emissions overall. Universities and are under real pressure to meet their sustainability goals, and we’re proud that our service helps them do that in a measurable, practical way.

Q: Can you share an example of the impact UniGreenScheme has had?

We’ve helped many universities and labs recover significant value from items they once considered waste. In some cases, a single institution has brought back over £200,000 from surplus equipment. But the impact goes beyond the financials. To date, our work has saved over 5 million kilograms of kgCO₂e by reusing equipment instead of replacing it with new. And there’s the space saving element too - freeing up storerooms and labs makes a real difference to lab technicians and scientists working in those spaces every day. Seeing that triple impact of financial, environmental, and practical is what excites me most.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in running a sustainable business?

One of the biggest challenges isn’t a lack of care or intention. Universities are busy, highly regulated places, and although there’s a real appetite to reuse and recycle surplus equipment, the processes involved can sometimes slow things down. That can make it harder for valuable kit to move into reuse, even when everyone wants the same positive outcome, which is exactly where clearer pathways, trusted partners, and simpler systems like UniGreenScheme can make a real difference.

Q: In the early days you and Mike were very “boots on the ground,” even doing all collections yourselves. How does that experience shape the importance of still attending industry and university events like IST today?

Hugely. Doing those collections ourselves gave us a first hand understanding of the challenges labs face, from handling specialist kit to navigating university procedures. That experience still shapes how I approach the business today. Personally attending events like the IST Technical Conference and Lab Innovations are vital because they keep us connected to the technical community. They’re a chance to listen, learn, and keep our service rooted in the real needs of technicians and researchers.

Q: Outside of the business, what’s something people might not know about you?

I once did 25 workouts in 25 hours in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre. No sleep, plenty of determination, and probably too much sugar. In some ways, it’s not far off business life as it’s about resilience, keeping momentum going, and supporting the team around you. Away from that, I’ve got two dogs who make sure I get plenty of time outdoors, and I really value time with family.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to institutions looking to adopt more sustainable practices?

Start with something tangible. Surplus equipment is a great example. By rethinking how you handle it, you can make a measurable difference straight away. Work with partners who have experience, understand compliance and can make the process seamless. And involve staff and students in the journey - once people see the benefits, momentum builds quickly. Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming; it’s about taking practical steps that add up to a bigger change.

Got surplus equipment or moving labs?

Talk to UniGreenScheme - we’ll help turn a storage headache into a sustainability win.