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NIH Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program
The NIH relies on a steady supply of chemicals and reagents for both research and treatments. To support this requirement while conserving resources and reducing environmental impacts, the Office of Research Facilities (ORF) Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) created the Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program in 2013. The program collects surplus chemicals from laboratories and redistributes within the NIH, reducing procurement costs, disposal costs and chemical waste. The program supports the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment (HSWA) – in “phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste – promoting waste minimization.”
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The NIH has a well-established process for requesting and donating unused, sealed, unopened and unexpired chemicals through the NIH FreeStuff website. The website was developed in 2011 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for their staff to redistribute surplus office and/or lab supplies and equipment, including biological storage units, computer supplies, lab equipment, etc. In 2013, the Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program was created, which expanded NIH FreeStuff to include chemicals and reagents. Providing NIH laboratories with the platform to receive chemicals and reagents at no cost.
Once donated chemicals are collected from the NIH labs, they are stored at the Hazardous Waste Facility on the Bethesda campus and evaluated through the Quality Assurance (QA) Quality Control (QC) process. The QA/QC requirements for chemicals and reagents are as follows:
• Sealed
• Unopened
• Without any signs of physical/chemical decomposition or degradation
• No color change
• No precipitation or crystallization on the exterior of the container
The full list of chemicals/reagents are posted on the NIH FreeStuff for redistribution. NIH staff can review the list and request chemicals and reagents to be delivered for free.
The Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program has been a success, reducing procurement costs, disposal costs and waste. Since its establishment in 2013, the program has saved NIH $1.4M in procurement costs and $76k in disposal fees. On average, over 200 chemicals are available for labs to use at no cost monthly. The program continued to expand, with 2025 having the largest participation. As of July 2025, procurement savings have reached $150k, already exceeding the annual savings from all previous fiscal years. This indicates a strong support for the program, as well as alignment with Executive Order 14222: Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative. The success of the program is primarily due to the culture and behavior of the NIH community in ensuring cost efficiency while continuing with the NIH mission. Participate and help grow the program by following stepwise instructions as provided in the
Take Action article. Thank you to those who have continued to participate and supported the program.
Spotlight
| NIH Community
The success of the Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program is driven by the dedicated support of the NIH community, high product quality, excellent contractor support, consistent cost savings and the ease of participation.
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Take Action
| Participating in the Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program
The NIH community, especially lab staff, can participate in the Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program either by requesting or donating discarded/unused/unopened/sealed chemicals and reagents that are deemed acceptable for redistribution.
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Fun Fact
Did you know? The Surplus Chemical Redistribution Program has existed at the NIH for over a decade and has earned nearly $1.5M in savings. Across it's total lifespan, the program has been responsible for redistributing more than 130,000 lbs, or roughly 40 bathtubs, of chemicals.
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Division of Environmental Protection | Office of Research Facilities | Office of Management
National Institutes of Health | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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