What is Minnesota SurplusAny amount remaining after satisfying need or use; see State and Local Surplus Programs for information on accessing government surplus. Services?
As part of the State of Minnesota Department of Administration's Fleet & Surplus Services, Surplus Services is responsible for salvaging federal and state surplus property and making it available for reuseProducts or materials that, after serving their original function, can be used again in their present form; some are designed to be reused repeatedly, while others not specifically designed for reuse are creatively used to fill a need. to state agencies, political subdivisions, schools, and non-profit organizations at minimal cost through warehouse shopping and an auction program.
What types of products are available?
Surplus Services acquires and distributes approximately 900 items, including:
- Office supplies and furniture
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Clothing
- Vehicles
- Machine tools
- Hardware
- Electrical supplies
- Many other items
How can I get items through Surplus Services?
Items are available at the Surplus Store for a nominal service charge. The Minnesota Department of Revenue does not collect sales tax on the transfer of surplus property to local governments, schools, and non-profits. By avoiding the purchase of new items and the associated sales tax, participating organizations can enjoy significant savings.
If you have questions regarding the availability of property, methods of reusing surplus property, or any of the services provided by Surplus Services, please contact:
Surplus Services
5420 Old Highway 8
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Phone: 651/639-4022
Email: surplus.services@state.mn.us
Can I use a local surplus program?
Possibly. Government agencies are required to follow certain procedures to dispense with items when they are no longer needed. These items may be offered at little or no cost or through an auction, internal transfers, or other offerings. Find out if your organization or another local government in your area has a surplus property program. Most programs are coordinated by a property management or central purchasingThe act and the function of responsibility for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. In a narrow sense, the term describes the process of buying. In a broader sense, the term describes determining the need, selecting the supplier, arriving at a fair and reasonable price and terms, preparing the contract or purchase order, and following up to ensure timely delivery. office in the organization.
To determine your eligibility, contact:
Ann Kitzman, Eligibility Officer
Minnesota State Agency for Surplus Property
Surplus Property Program
5420 Old Highway 8
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Phone: 651/201.2776
Email: ann.kitzman@state.mn.us
Products containing hazardous chemicals can pose health risks to employees and the public, as well as threaten the environment. In addition, hazardous products often require special and costly waste disposal methods. Buy products that are labeled with none of the following signal words or those with the lowest level of hazard possible (but that still get the job done).
- Caution: mild to moderate hazard
- Warning: moderate hazard
- Danger: corrosive, extremely flammable, or highly toxic
- Poison: highly toxic
If less-hazardous alternatives are not readily available, use the least amount of a hazardous product needed to accomplish a task. Use up all of the product before throwing the container or packaging away.
Reducing energy use is important because most energy production contributes to problems such as carbon dioxide emissions (tied to global warming), mercury releases, acid rain, volatile organic compounds, and nuclear waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy developed the Energy Star label to help purchasers identify energy-efficient products. These products reduce utility bills and help the environment.
Recycled-content products save energy and resources, while also keeping waste out of landfills and incinerators. Recycled-content products can be made with post-consumer content, pre-consumer content, or a mix of both. Products made with post-consumer recycled content support our recycling programs at home and at work. If people do not buy products with post-consumer recycled content, manufacturers will no longer want the paper, cans, glass, or plastic we separate from trash. Pre-consumer content comes primarily from manufacturer scrap, and as such does not directly support such recycling efforts.
Minnesota generates over 5 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, and this amount is increasing every year. Much of this waste comes from disposable and over-packaged products. Preventing waste can conserve natural resources and avoid the need to build new, expensive waste disposal facilities. You prevent waste when:
- Reducing the amount of material you buy to accomplish any task;
- Reusing a product in its original form; or
- Using repairable, refillable, or durable products.
VOCs evaporate ("volatilize") easily at room temperature and often have a sharp smell. They are contained in many products, such as office equipment, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, paints, solvents, pesticides, and cleaning products. Some VOCs can cause cancer in certain situations, especially when they are concentrated indoors. When VOCs hit sunlight, they create ozone, an air pollutant harmful to both people and plants. Many low-VOC versions of products reduce risks to human health and the environment.
Less than 1% of the Earth's water is available for human consumption. There is no "new" water on Earth. Dry spells have reminded us that our water supply can be threatened - even in the Land of 10,000 Lakes - resulting in watering bans in some municipalities. Choosing products and services that conserve water, such as automatic flushers and low-flow faucets and toilets, can conserve this vital resource while reducing water and sewer bills.
What happens to a product after we use it? Some materials cannot go in the trash because they are hazardous in some way and therefore need separate - and sometimes expensive - special management. Some products are more easily recycled than others that do the same job. Making wiser buying choices can prevent a disposal concern at the end of a product's useful life, keep hazardous materials out of the environment, and expand options for recycling and reuse.
Rollover to learn more or view the complete symbols list.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised July 17, 2008 - 2:02pm