Laboratory freezers. There are millions of them around the world, essential for scientific discovery and the betterment of human health. We don’t pay much attention to them until they have an issue or completely fail. But there’s something better for your science…periodically attending to your lab’s cold storage for better sample access, sample integrity, reduced costs, and energy savings.  Check out our freezer management best practices page for steps you can take starting today to improve your freezer’s performance and extended its life!

Each year you can join the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, and over a period of six months implement tried-and-true best practices for your refrigerators and freezers. This will benefit your science and the planet. 9.9 million kWh/year have been saved through this Challenge since 2017 – will you be a part of the effort this year? The winning labs and organizations are featured in the journal Nature and are recognized at the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Conference in the fall. Sign up at www.freezerchallenge.org

Labs consume a considerable amount of energy, which results in higher costs and higher greenhouse gas emissions.  Want to help make your lab more efficient?  Check out these top tips from mygreenlab.org!

• Close fume hood sashes when not in use.
• Put autoclaves in standby mode & only run when full.
• Set ultra-low temperature freezers to -70 C.
• Turn off equipment when not in use.
• Properly maintain cold storage.
• Share equipment when possible.
• Turn off lights when leaving the lab.
• Utilize green chemistry techniques.
• Talk about your efforts with colleagues and students!

You can help curb waste through both purchasing and disposal practices.  Check out some common opportunities below, and if you have questions about how to handle specific items, reach out to the Waste Reduction & Recycling Department!

• Create and use an inventory of lab supplies and equipment to avoid ordering unnecessary items.
• Use the environmentally preferred filter on VWR’s website to find products with a lighter footprint.
• Consider vendor buy-back programs.
• Share lab supplies with other labs in your department when possible.
• Order paper with 30% or higher recycled content.
• When you must print/copy, print/copy double-sided.
• Reuse materials when possible.
• Make sure your lab or floor has proper recycling receptacles and ensure you and your lab partners know what materials are/aren’t recyclable in the university’s system.
• Recycle batteries and electronics through the university’s Battery Recycling Program.

Almost every lab involves water somewhere in their research processes, even if it’s simply to keep one’s hands clean.  This means most labs have an opportunity to help reduce their water consumption, leading to lower costs, greater water availability, and reduced emissions from the cleaning and delivery of water.  Check out these top tips from mygreenlab.org for ways you can start to cut your consumption today!

• Got an autoclave?  Consider a retrofit with a water-saving device.
• If you’re looking to purchase a new autoclave, opt for one without a steam jacket.
• Make sure your water fixtures use aerators.
• Check for leaks on a regular basis and report them ASAP.
• Ditch single-pass cooling.
• Run only full-loads.
• Choose your water wisely.  Opt for purified water only when truly needed.
• Avoid running water unnecessarily.
• Try a vacuum pump vs. a water vacuum aspirator.