Labs can handle surplus consumables and labware by donating to schools or community labs, redistributing within research networks, and preventing surplus through smarter procurement platforms like ZAGENO.
Every lab depends on beakers, flasks, pipette tips, reagents, no matter whether you call them labware or lab consumables. Unfortunately, sometimes lab supplies pile up faster than they get used. A project may change direction, a backordered order might finally arrive all at once, or a purchase order is approved after the lab has already found a substitute.
The result? Shelves filled with surplus consumables and labware that are still perfectly good, but no longer needed. While many labs look for creative ways to offload extra supplies, the bigger opportunity is to prevent surplus from building up in the first place.
Surplus lab consumables and labware happen due to over-ordering, delayed backorders, and shifting project needs. Donation and internal redistribution prevent waste, while ZAGENO helps prevent surplus with real-time availability, consolidated purchasing, and cross-team visibility.
Why labs end up with surplus lab consumables and labware
Surplus is more common than most lab teams realize. Some of the main causes include:
- Over-ordering due to lack of visibility. Without centralized procurement, it is easy to order duplicates of the same items.
Learn how lab managers streamline operations with the right tools.
- Backorders fulfilled at the wrong time. When a critical reagent is delayed, labs often switch vendors. Months later, the original backordered shipment arrives, doubling supply.
- Changing project needs. Research pivots can leave previously essential consumables sitting unused.
- Procurement cycle delays. By the time a purchase order works its way through multiple approvals, the supplies may no longer be needed. Our guide to common biotech procurement mistakes and how to fix them explains how approval bottlenecks affect labs.
What to do with surplus lab supplies
When you end up with more than your lab can use, there are a few practical ways to handle it.
The hidden costs of surplus
Even if you find a home for your extra consumables, surplus carries a real cost:
- Budget waste. Funds tied up in unused consumables could have been used for new experiments.
- Storage challenges. Extra boxes crowd freezers, cabinets, and lab benches.
- Compliance risks. Expired materials create safety and quality issues.
- Delays. Surplus often stems from procurement inefficiencies that already slowed down research.
These risks highlight why labs should focus on smarter procurement strategies. Read our guide on spend management in R&D procurement to see how budget alignment reduces waste.
How ZAGENO helps prevent surplus before it starts
ZAGENO helps labs address the root causes of surplus by giving researchers and procurement teams a single platform to order, track, and manage all lab consumables and labware.
- Real-time availability and shipping insights. Prevent double-ordering by seeing what is in stock across suppliers.
- Smart routing to preferred vendors. Keep orders aligned with contracts and rebate thresholds.
- Consolidated cart and checkout. One purchase order and one invoice across multiple suppliers reduces confusion and duplication.
- Fast supplier onboarding. Add new suppliers in hours rather than weeks, which avoids the need for panic buying.
- Full visibility across teams. Finance, procurement, and lab operations can all see what has been ordered, reducing overlap. Our FAQ explains how ZAGENO integrates with your workflows.
By centralizing procurement, ZAGENO helps labs avoid surplus situations and ensures resources are aligned with research priorities.
FAQ: Surplus Lab Consumables and Labware
- What should labs do with surplus lab consumables and labware?
Labs can donate surplus items to schools, makerspaces, or citizen science labs. They can also redistribute within their research networks or share supplies internally. - Why do labs end up with surplus consumables?
Surplus often builds up from over-ordering, delayed backorders, or project pivots. Inefficient procurement cycles and lack of visibility across teams also contribute. - How can labs prevent surplus lab supplies?
Smarter procurement is key. With ZAGENO’s biotech procurement platform, labs gain real-time stock visibility, consolidated purchasing, and smart vendor routing to ensure orders match actual needs. - What are the risks of keeping surplus supplies?
Surplus ties up budget, creates storage challenges, and can introduce compliance risks if products expire. It also signals procurement inefficiencies that may delay future research. - Can labs resell unused lab supplies?
Some third-party marketplaces allow resale, but it is rarely cost-effective due to shipping costs and restrictions. Most labs get more value from donating or redistributing, while prevention strategies ensure surplus does not accumulate in the first place.
Key takeaways for labs
Surplus labware and consumables are a common problem, but they do not have to end up as wasted budget or expired stock. Donations, redistribution, and internal sharing networks all provide ways to give supplies a second life. At the same time, labs that implement smarter procurement practices can prevent surplus from piling up in the first place.
ZAGENO gives labs the tools to purchase only what they need, when they need it, while maintaining visibility across suppliers and teams.
