Written by Alicia Hubert, WUSM Sustainability Lead and Green Labs Program Coordinator 

Research labs rely on a wide range of appliances and electronics to complete their research and function on a daily basis. Chances are, your lab has at least one -20 freezer, -80 freezer, or even a -150C freezer, if not several of each. These appliances, while vital to your research, use significant amounts of energy that lead to greenhouse gas emission. Reducing these emissions by selecting high-efficiency (or Energy STAR) appliances when purchasing is a great first step, but proper maintenance plays a critical role in reducing emissions over the lifespan of the unit – whether high-efficiency or standard efficiency.  

When freezers and refrigeration units are not managed or maintained properly, these emissions increase from the machine struggling to maintain internal temperatures and running more than necessary. Add in the risks of refrigerant leaks, and these mishaps become a serious risk to our environment.  

Washington University implemented a ULT Policy in 2019 to begin addressing the emissions and harmful refrigerants present in some ULT freezers. The policy requires all newly purchased ULT freezers to be high-efficiency (aligns with Energy STAR standards) and utilize only natural refrigerants with dramatically less global warming potential than previously used refrigerants. 

The next step is for WashU researchers to retire old freezers – ULT freezers reach their end of life at 10 years of age and university records show 30+ year old freezers still in use on our campuses. When a freezer is disposed of properly through Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the refrigerants are safely sequestered and the appliance itself is properly disassembled and recycled in a variety of ways by our vetted, contracted electronics waste recycler. This reliable and safe process brings peace of mind to researchers concerned about getting rid of an appliance that still works. When an old freezer is replaced by a new high-efficiency model, nearly 7,000 kWh of energy are saved annually – an admirable environmental ‘win’ the equivalent in taking 1.1 passenger cars off the road for a year.

However, retiring old units is just one piece of this complex puzzle. Regular maintenance and wise storage practices help reduce required freezer capacity and how hard the units need to work to maintain their internal temperatures. The International Freezer Challenge will help us all assess our current cold storage and how to operate more efficiently. 

The International Freezer Challenge has been encouraging labs to perform routine maintenance on their freezers since 2017. These efforts have resulted in the saving of over 9.9 million kWh – or the equivalent emissions of driving a car 15 million miles!  

For the first time, Washington University is going to join the challenge! Beginning in January 2022, researchers across the university will have 6 months to earn points by completing any of the following actions: 

How to Get Involved 

Step 1: Join the Green Labs Program by filling out a quick commitment form. Once you’re signed up, your lab will begin receiving targeted notifications, signage, and support to reduce the negative environmental impacts of your research activity. Registered Green Labs can also request signage to hang in their lab spaces to help their colleagues make sustainable choices as well. 

Step 2: Keep an eye out for the official start to the challenge in January 2022. The January announcement will include registration details, scheduling needs, and how to record your actions and points. There is no rush to complete the actions all at once; the challenge runs through July. Depending on participation, freezer defrosts and clean-outs may need to be scheduled in advance. 

Step 3: The Green Labs Coordinator will keep a record of all WashU points and submit for award consideration when the challenge ends in July 2022. In addition to the official challenge awards, labs with the highest number of recorded points will receive special recognition and prizes from the WashU Sustainability team. 

Contact Alicia Hubert, Green Labs Program Coordinator at greenlabs@wustl.edu. 

Contact Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) at ehs@wustl.edu. 

Adopted in 2015, the plan defines WashU’s institutional commitment to sustainability. WashU is rated Gold in the AASHE STARS system.

Learn more about the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration who oversees the Office of Sustainability and related initiatives.

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