International Laboratory Freezer Challenge
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Managing Cold Storage isn't just about the kWh

1/26/2018

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Managing cold storage isn't just about the kWh.
Implementing proper management and destruction of refrigerants would have THE GREATEST IMPACT on mitigating global warming.  Period.  More than rooftop solar, more than planting trees, and more than walkable cities, properly managing and disposing of hydroflurocarbon (HFC) refrigerants has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 89.74 Gigatons. This analysis was done by a team of climate scientists and published last year in the eye-opening book Drawdown.

What's the problem with HFCs?  They have a high global warming potential (GWP) - anywhere from 1,000 - 9000 times that of CO2.

What can you do about this?  If you're retiring a freezer this year, take an interest in its end of life.  Ask your facilities management team how the refrigerants are being removed, and inquire into what will happen to the refrigerants next.  And make sure your freezer is disposed of expeditiously - you don't want it to start leaking!  If you're purchasing a new freezer, avoid purchasing units that contain HFCs.   It doesn't matter how inexpensive they are, just don't buy them.  It's literally the number one thing you can do to help mitigate global warming - and it gets you extra points in the Freezer Challenge!


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Are You in it to Win it? Tips for a Successful Challenge

1/20/2018

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Are you in it to win it?
The winning labs from last year know what it takes to be successful in the Freezer Challenge.   We asked them what advice they'd give to labs competing for the first time - check out their tips below.

  • Start early.   Don't wait til the last minute.  While the actions on the score sheet are relatively straightforward, many of them require coordination of all lab members.   Starting early will ensure that you'll have time to complete everything before the May 1st deadline.

  • Familiarize yourself with the score sheet and develop a plan.  Make a plan for how you will complete the score sheet, knowing that you can't get everything done in two days.   For example, it might make sense for your lab to combine defrosting a freezer with discarding samples and/or creating a sample inventory.   Set a schedule for completing the actions.  Most labs recommended doing one thing for the Freezer Challenge every week or every other week.

  • Appoint one person to lead the Freezer Challenge in the lab.  With everyone focused on their research it's easy to lose track of time and forget the Freezer Challenge schedule.  Appoint a Freezer Challenge coordinator to be responsible for reminding people of the schedule and encouraging lab participation.

  • Don't worry if you can't complete every action on the score sheet, or if you don't have a lot of cold storage units.  Believe it or not, in spite of all the energy we saved last year, and all of the outstanding competitors, not a single lab completed the entire score sheet.  And that's perfectly ok!  Some of the actions may not apply to your lab, or they may not be feasible at the moment.  Just do the best you can to improve your cold storage management practices for whatever cold storage units you have.  We will normalize the points based on the number of freezers and refrigerators you have, so even if you have just one undercounter refrigerator you should still participate.

Special thanks to our 2017 winners for providing this information!  As you complete the Challenge, if you have any friendly advice to share with your competitors (or with the labs in 2019) please email us at [email protected].

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Just in Time for Winter - The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge has Arrived!

1/12/2018

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The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge has arrived!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors - Stirling Ultracold, Eppendorf, and Thermo Scientific - My Green Lab and I2SL are able to bring the Freezer Challenge to the international stage!  Think you have what it takes to win the Challenge and get your picture in Nature?  Sign up today and show the world how well you manage your cold storage.

And if you're fortunate enough to be starting your summer season, you can show us how cool you are by signing up for the Challenge.  See that?  No matter where you are in the world, now's the perfect time to participate in the 2018 Freezer Challenge :)

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The Freezer Challenge is a program coordinated by the non-profit organizations
​My Green Lab
® and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, and sponsored by various companies with an interest in promoting the most energy efficient cold storage options.
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Global Reach of the 2024 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge
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  • the challenge
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