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UW-Stevens Point Surplus recycles, sells 99 percent of its materials

From computers to Christmas decorations, about 700,000 pounds of material came through Surplus Sales at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point last year.
 
Thanks to sales and recycling, only 1 percent of those items needed to be discarded in a landfill. Over the last seven years, that’s saved about 2.4 million pounds of materials from landfills and thousands of dollars in landfill tipping fees.
 
The store, housed in the former Emmons Napp building at 601 Division St., is open to the public except during university holidays - see the website for times. On average, about 75 shoppers visit each week. Although many people on and off campus don’t know the store exists, once they discover it, many are repeat customers.
 
The inventory is always changing. Discounted electronics, lab equipment, office furniture and books are common items, but occasionally, homes, tractors and cars are among the items for sale, according to manager Fred Hopfensperger.
 
“My staff and I work to find better solutions to disposing items,” he said. “We try to stay as green as possible. That’s what this is all about. It fits with UW-Stevens Point’s sustainability goals.”
 
For years, surplus items accumulated in storage until an auction was held once a year. Rather than pay to store items, Surplus Sales was created 20 years ago. The facility receives goods from the university, the Stevens Point school district, the Veterans Home in King, Portage County and several state agencies in central Wisconsin.
 
If an item is deemed usable, it goes on the sales floor and is listed at www.uwsp.edu/surplus. If not, it is broken down and goes to various contractors who recycle metal, wire, plastic, electronics, batteries and wood. These companies pick up the materials as well as pay for them, with the funds making Surplus Sales completely self-sufficient. Portions of the profits also go back to the organizations or units that supplied the items.
 
In his 12 years as manager, Hopfensperger has sought out and made connections with various recycling contractors, who either take the surplus items or work with him to find another recycler. He also connects with buyers in the area and across the world, sometimes shipping items internationally. He sells many items to local nonprofit groups, such as the Boys and Girls Club, and donates items to the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners.
 
“We take pride in it,” Hopfensperger said. “That’s our job. We need to find homes for this stuff — other than a landfill.”
 
Hopfensperger also takes pride in a staff of seven students — three technicians who clear then restore computers with licensed software programs, three general clerks and a student manager.
 
“I couldn’t operate without them,” he said. “Each has something special to offer, and we work as a team. They’re learning a lot here and are excited about what they do.”
 
Alex Hackman, a computer information systems major from Stevens Point, is a computer technician. He’s had a chance to work with every piece of computer hardware and software, restoring computers and helping buyers find the right one for their needs. The most valuable skill he said he’s learned: customer communications.
 
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