Giving Scientific Equipment a Second Life

Auckland Scientific Ltd's Second Life Microscopes Scheme helps suitable microscopes find a new home in local schools and colleges rather than being discarded or left in storage.

Businesses, laboratories, universities and other organisations can offer microscopes they no longer require. Auckland Scientific Ltd will assess suitable equipment, refurbish and prepare it where appropriate, and make it available free of charge to participating schools and colleges.

Why Second Life Microscopes?

Schools & Colleges — Register Your Interest

Schools and colleges can register their interest in receiving refurbished microscopy equipment through the Second Life Microscopes Scheme.

Registration does not guarantee that equipment will immediately be available, as the scheme depends upon suitable microscopes being donated and successfully refurbished.

When equipment becomes available, Auckland Scientific Ltd may consider factors including:

• The type of microscope available
• The intended educational use
• The age or student group that will use the equipment
• The number of microscopes required
• Suitability of the equipment for the proposed application
• Location and practical collection or delivery arrangements

Equipment supplied through the scheme is intended for educational use. Participating organisations are asked not to sell equipment received through the scheme for commercial gain.

If equipment is no longer required in the future, we encourage the school or college to contact Auckland Scientific Ltd so that, wherever practical, it can be given another useful life.

Businesses & Organisations — Donate a Microscope

If you have a microscope you no longer need, donate it to our scheme and help support local science education.

Whether you are replacing equipment, clearing laboratory space or have microscopes sitting in storage, they may still have considerable educational value.

Businesses, universities, laboratories, manufacturers and other organisations can tell us what equipment they have available. Information such as the manufacturer, model, approximate age, condition, accessories and photographs will help us assess its suitability.

Auckland Scientific Ltd will assess equipment before confirming whether it can be accepted into the scheme. Suitable microscopes may be inspected, cleaned, serviced, repaired or refurbished as appropriate before being provided to a participating school or college.

Where equipment cannot economically or safely be returned to useful condition, suitable components may potentially be used to support other equipment within the scheme or the equipment may be responsibly recycled.

Equipment Assessment & Quality

Equipment accepted into the scheme will be assessed by Auckland Scientific Ltd before being offered to a school or college.

Depending on the equipment and its condition, preparation may include inspection, cleaning, functional testing, servicing, adjustment or refurbishment as appropriate.

Auckland Scientific Ltd reserves the right to decline equipment that is unsuitable, unsafe, incomplete or uneconomic to refurbish.

Safety & Previous Use

Organisations donating equipment must disclose anything relevant about its previous use and condition.

Equipment must not knowingly present an undeclared biological, chemical, radioactive or other hazardous contamination risk.

The donating organisation must own the equipment or otherwise have authority to transfer it into the Second Life Microscopes Scheme.

Where equipment incorporates computers, storage devices or other components capable of retaining information, the donating organisation remains responsible for removing confidential, personal or commercially sensitive information before handover.

Helping Us Share the Story

We want the Second Life Microscopes Scheme to demonstrate what can be achieved when businesses, schools and the scientific community work together.

Auckland Scientific Ltd may publicise participating schools, colleges, businesses and organisations to demonstrate the educational, environmental and community benefits of the scheme.

This may include Auckland Scientific Ltd's website, LinkedIn and other social media, exhibitions, printed literature, case studies, press activity and examples of environmental, sustainability or social-value initiatives.

Schools and colleges participating in the scheme will be asked to allow Auckland Scientific Ltd to identify the organisation as a participant and publish non-personal information about equipment supplied and how it is being used.

We may also invite participating organisations to take part in a photograph, equipment handover, testimonial or case study.

Photographs or video containing identifiable pupils, students or staff will only be used where appropriate permissions or another applicable lawful basis have been confirmed. Participation in the scheme does not require identifiable pupils or students to appear in promotional material.

Your Information & Privacy

Auckland Scientific Ltd will use information submitted through the Second Life Microscopes Scheme to administer the programme, assess applications and equipment donations, contact participating organisations, arrange collection or delivery where appropriate and maintain relevant scheme records.

Contact details submitted for the scheme will not automatically be used for unrelated marketing. Any option to receive Auckland Scientific Ltd marketing communications is provided separately and is optional.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy .

Help Give Scientific Equipment a Brighter Future

Whether you are a school looking for microscopy equipment or an organisation with a microscope that deserves a second life, we would love to hear from you.