Scientists Make Discovery at BYOB

Local scientists discovered a great deal at the Sustainable Surplus BYOB for Lab Supplies event. 

“It was amazing!  I saved thousands of dollars on lab supplies,” said Debra Vanourkerk a science teacher at Lincoln Middle School.

Science teachers, professors and researchers were invited to bring an empty box, or two, and fill it with lab supplies – pipettes, culture plates, petri dishes, glassware and more.   Educational and nonprofit organizations paid only $5 for a box which contained, on average, $500 of lab supplies. For profit start-up companies were also invited and paid $20 per box.  “It was definitely worth it,” said Sridhar Prasad, vice president of research, CalAsia Pharmaceuticals.

Over $60,000 worth of supplies was repurposed!  The items were donations from local biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including:  Nitto Denko, Amicus and Pfizer.