A Platform for Chemical Sharing

How the program works

  • UTMB's Chem Swap program provides a mechanism for laboratories to share excess or unwanted chemicals with other researchers across the institution. Rather than disposing of materials that remain in usable condition, lab personnel can make those chemicals available through EHS Assistant, where it becomes accessible to any UTMB lab with a legitimate need, at no cost.
Chem Swap
  • Benefits of Chem Swap
    • Cost savings: Chemicals obtained through the Chem Swap program are available at no cost to the laboratory.
    • Waste reduction: Redistributing usable chemicals keeps them from becoming waste. Every exchange represents materials that does not require packaging, pickup, transport, or disposal.
    • Sustainability: Chem Swap is an approved element of the My Green Lab certification criteria. Laboratory participation also directly supports departmental and institutional sustainability goals.
    • Immediate access to chemicals: Materials listed in Chem Swap are immediately available and can be obtained quicker than through the standard procurement process.
    • Laboratory collaboration: The program promotes awareness of opportunities for resource sharing and interdepartmental collaboration.

Pollution Prevention

Chem Swap is a  formal component of UTMB EHS's Pollution Prevention (P2) program. Pollution prevention prioritizes eliminating waste at the source rather than managing it after the fact. Chemical reuse represents the highest value strategy in the waste management hierarchy. Chem Swap reduces the volume of hazardous waste generated at UTMB and supports compliance with federal and state waste minimization requirements. Sustained participation helps advance the institutions broader environmental commitments.

Rules of Acceptance 

To be eligible for listing in the Chem Swap program, chemicals must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Container is intact, properly labeled with the full chemical name, and free of leaks, damage, or deterioration
  • Chemical is uncontaminated
  • Chemical is not expired and retains a reasonable remaining shelf life
  • The quantity is sufficient to be of practical use to another laboratory
  • All transfers must be processed through EHS Assistant
  • Chemicals on the list of High-Risk Hazardous Chemicals (HRHC) or another list that requires approval such as radioactive chemicals, are not eligible for transfer
  • EHS reserves the right to evaluate, decline, or remove any chemical listed in the program that does not meet acceptance criteria

Link to EHSA (https://www.utmb.edu/ehs/ehs-assistant/home)
Resource Video (coming soon)