University of Pittsburgh
IN-49: Innovation C

The University of Pittsburgh has established a thriving partnership with Global Links, a Pittsburgh-based international nonprofit who shares U.S. healthcare surplus to support health programs globally and locally. This partnership helps Pitt and Global Links support medical practices in developing economy countries.

MATTRESSES
In Summer 2022, as part of a residence hall remodeling project, Pitt partnered with Global Links to remove 922 dorm mattresses and bed frames. Global Links cleaned and repurposed the beds, which were donated to locations in Nicaragua and Honduras that provide expectant mothers a place to rest and heal pre- and postpartum.
Learn more: https://globallinks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023.04-Surplus-Initiatives-University-Campuses_Pitt-Impact-Story_Final.pdf

2023 BEST YEAR YET
Overall, the University of Pittsburgh’s collaboration with Global Links shone in 2023. In 2023, the partnership rescued 23 tons (or 46,852 pounds) of surplus from the Pittsburgh campus to improve global health (almost double what we rescued last year)! These 2023 efforts included:

1) Clearing furniture from the ground floor of Hillman Library for reuse;
2) Removing 400 mattresses from 2 Pitt residence halls (Ruskin Hall and Bouquet Gardens);
3) Clean & Swap collaboration (via Pitt offices and laboratories, detailed below);
4) Removal of tables and chairs from largest Pitt Dining facility (The Eatery) for reuse; and
5) Collected valuable surplus from Pitt Surplus.

CLEAN & SWAP
Pitt’s Global Links partnership has been deepened over the years via the annual Pitt Clean & Swap (launched in 2020 as an opportunity for employees and departments to de-clutter their workspaces by donating unwanted items to be reused within the University or donated to local nonprofits).

Pitt’s inaugural Clean & Swap event in 2020 collected 728 pounds of unwanted office items, but medical supplies were not explicitly included. In 2022, an undergraduate class project fostered a partnership with Global Links to incorporate medical supply collection into this annual event. Pitt community members were asked to donate unused medical supplies that would not expire within 13 months. Items included, but were not limited to canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, blood pressure monitors, syringes, ostomy supplies, bandagers, and gauze.

With this addition, Pitt collected and diverted over 3,155 pounds of office and medical supplies from landfills in 2022.

2023 was Pitt Clean & Swap’s most successful year to-date, diverting 6,427 pounds of office items, medical supplies, and personal electronics from landfill, engaging over 73 departments, and with 140 individuals rehoming at least one item. Additionally, 7,800 face shields were saved from landfill by connecting a department with overstock with those in need.

Global Links website - https://globallinks.org/

Global Links’ April 2023 Article on Pitt Medical Supplies & Dorm Mattresses Collaboration - https://globallinks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023.04-Surplus-Initiatives-University-Campuses_Pitt-Impact-Story_Final.pdf

Clean & Swap Summary - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/progress-report/materials-waste-2018-22/