Shoppers looking for everything from office furniture to microscopes can find bargains and support sustainability by shopping at AggieSurplus.

The unit of Supply Chain Management sells surplus equipment, furniture and supplies to university departments and the general public, helping to keep items in use and out of the landfill. Each year, Aggie Surplus saves 173 tons of items from the landfill. 

Items that are regularly available for purchase include a variety of office supplies and furniture, such as cabinets, computers, office chairs, microscopes and printers. Other items, such as scanners, automobiles and X-ray equipment, are periodically available. 

Although its primary mission is promoting sustainability, AggieSurplus also supports UC Davis in other ways. Bringing outside funding into the university and offering the general public a chance to purchase items at comparably lower prices than if they were bought new, AggieSurplus is committed to public service as well as sustainability. 

In accordance with those goals, AggieSurplus donates unsold surplus items to accredited schools, other universities and social service agencies.

Pandemic-era changes

Although it closed for only a month at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that closure had long-lasting impacts, including a move from La Rue Road to the Hopkins Services Complex at 615 Hopkins Rd., across from the University Airport. This move granted the business a 1,500-square-foot increase in space and a large outdoor storage area. 

The move also allowed AggieSurplus to combine with Special Services to become AggieSurplus and Services. This combined unit increased the overall knowledge between staff, allowing for better coverage options, as more staff are now available to help customers when necessary.  

The services that AggieSurplus and Services provides can be requested in AggieLogistics, including office and lab moves, office chair rentals, office and outdoor furniture installations and re-configurations, inbound freight delivery and event equipment rental.   

Along with the move to Hopkins Road, AggieSurplus also launched a website that allows customers to purchase items at any time of day. The website helped AggieSurplus hit record sales in 2023. 

Shopping can also be done in person from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the first consecutive Thursday and Friday of each month. The remaining in-person shopping dates for 2024 are Nov. 7 and 8, and Dec. 5 and 6.

Donate food, get a discount

AggieSurplus is also participating in the Mail Services Holiday Food Drive, which runs through Nov. 22. 

In-person shoppers at AggieSurplus on Nov. 7 or 8 will receive 10% off their entire purchase if they bring one item — including toiletries and nonperishable food — to donate to the ASUCD Pantry, or 25% off if they bring five or more items. The maximum discount is $100 per person.