Menu

International Freezer Challenge 2019: Optimizing Your Cold Storage Practices?

Global warming is a challenge for mankind on earth. Sustainability discussions primarily focus on energy consumption of devices. Even environmentally friendly and energy efficient ultra-low temperature freezers traditionally consume a large amount of energy as they maintain extremely low temperatures 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for years.

-80 °C are needed for storage of many high-value samples – how can the usage of ULT freezers be optimized?

The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) and My Green Lab have partnered again to reward the best concept to improve cold storage regarding sustainability: The Freezer Challenge 2019.
It’s easy to participate - ULT freezer users are invited to compete with colleagues from around the globe.
The users can earn points by taking actions from Good Management Practices, Temperature Tuning, and other areas, as well as for sharing information about best practices. More in detail, this can include e.g.

  • Good Management Practices

    • Defrosting freezers
    • Cleaning out freezers and refrigerators
    • Inventorying samples
    • Storing samples at high density

  • Temperature Tuning

    • Adjusting the set point of ultra-low temperature freezers
    • Storing samples at appropriate temperatures

  • Retirements and Upgrades

    • Retiring old refrigeration units
    • Replacing older refrigeration units with energy-efficient units

  • Cutting-Edge Practices

    • Sharing refrigeration space with a colleague
    • Barcoding samples
    • Trying/ adopting room-temperature sample storage


Awards will be given to those who have done the most to save energy and improve their sample storage. Deadline is mid of May 2019.
The award will be granted mid of October at the I2SL meeting in Denver, Colorado.
The concept is supported by EGNATON, the European Society for sustainable lab technologies. EGNATON will reward the three best Europe-based teams as addition to the International Award.

More information in the Freezer Challenge 2019 at https://www.freezerchallenge.org/

Further information available at:
https://www.mygreenlab.org/
http://www.egnaton.com/en/Home.aspx
http://www.i2sl.org/
 

Back to list