Campus Swap: Unlocking Sustainable Solutions in Furniture Management
Campus Swap stands as a campus-based platform dedicated to the exchange of second-hand office furniture among HKUST departments. It serves as a place for furniture that is on the brink of disposal by various offices and departments, offering these items a second chance at utility and sustainability.
Why Choose Campus Swap?
As HKUST embarks on numerous renovation endeavors, a significant amount of furniture faces the risk of being discarded. Surprisingly, approximately 20% of HKUST's total waste stems from construction and renovation activities, including furniture. While informal communications between offices occasionally result in the relocation of old furniture, the absence of a standardized system often leads to an oversupply of available furniture that surpasses staff members' capacity to manage. Consequently, many of these items inevitably find their way to landfills. In response to the mounting informal inquiries and drawing inspiration from the success stories of similar second-hand platforms at other universities, it became evident that the HKUST community could greatly benefit from a dedicated furniture-sharing platform.
Beyond internal exchanges, HKUST has also embraced the practice of receiving second-hand furniture from external corporate entities through existing circular platforms. These exchanges, often prompted by office renovations or rebranding efforts, have further underscored the cost-effectiveness and environmental consciousness inherent in repurposing pre-owned furniture.
The Platform's Evolution
Campus Swap is a brainchild of the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office and the Information Technology Services Office, facilitating sustainable practices through a user-friendly platform developed internally. The platform's pilot phase involved internal testing within the Sustainability Network member offices, with subsequent phase opening up participation to all departments in March 2025. Campus Swap now facilitates the circulation of a diverse range of office furniture, including desks, chairs, storage units, partitions, stationery, and more. To ensure a seamless onboarding process, participating office representatives have undergone dedicated training sessions, complemented by the instructive video below.
Embracing Circularity
At the heart of Campus Swap lies the ethos of circularity, emphasizing resource optimization and waste reduction throughout the production and consumption cycle to enhance sustainability and economic efficiency. While the production cycle still poses as a challenge, our exploration of modular furniture signifies a proactive solution by fostering flexibility in function and style. These adaptable pieces can continue to serve even after renovations, maximizing the utility of the resources we invest in. Additionally, Campus Swap focuses on waste reduction by circulating valuable items within our community, both addressing storage constraints and alleviating the financial strains associated with acquiring new furniture.
As Campus Swap gains momentum and garners support from various departments, the potential for enduring positive change within the UST community becomes increasingly tangible. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey to explore the platform with enthusiasm and curiosity!
