BCH Research Wins 2024 International Freezer Challenge Top Clinical Award!
Boston Children’s Hospital Research: Leading the Way in Sustainable Lab Practices
At Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), we are committed to advancing scientific research while also being responsible stewards of our environment. This commitment was recently recognized in a significant way: BCH Research has been awarded the 2024 International Freezer Challenge Top Clinical Organization Award—marking our third consecutive win in this global competition!
What is the International Freezer Challenge?
The International Freezer Challenge, organized by My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), is an annual competition that encourages laboratories around the world to optimize their cold storage management practices. Laboratories that participate in the challenge are evaluated on several criteria, including:
Temperature tuning: Adjusting freezer temperatures to optimize energy efficiency.
Defrosting freezers: Regularly defrosting to maintain optimal performance.
Retiring old or underutilized freezers: Removing outdated equipment that consumes excessive energy.
Sharing storage space: Encouraging collaborative use of cold storage to reduce energy consumption.
The goal of the challenge is to reduce energy usage, decrease the environmental impact of research activities, and promote sustainable practices across laboratories globally. The impact of this competition is immense. In 2024 alone, participating labs saved a staggering 31.8 million kWh of energy—equivalent to over 22,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided.
BCH’s Remarkable Achievement
This year, BCH Research stood out as a leader in sustainability, not just for our energy savings but for our commitment to expanding participation across our institution. Back in 2022, BCH had only 8 labs participating in the Freezer Challenge. Fast forward to 2024, and we’ve grown that number to 30 labs, demonstrating a significant shift in our culture towards more sustainable practices. This growth is a testament to the dedication of our teams and their belief in the importance of sustainable science.
Our participating labs saved an impressive 843 kWh of energy per day, which is roughly equivalent to the daily energy use of 44 households. Over the course of a year, this adds up to a cost savings of approximately $92,308.50—a powerful example of how sustainable practices can also have a significant financial benefit.
Leading by Example
Our consistent success in the International Freezer Challenge underscores BCH’s leadership in promoting sustainability in the Greater Boston area and beyond. As a top clinical organization, we are setting a standard for others to follow. We are proving that scientific excellence and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand.
The BCH Green Labs Team and Research Operations have been instrumental in driving this change. Their tireless efforts have fostered a culture of sustainability that is now ingrained in the fabric of our research activities. Their work doesn’t just stop at energy savings; it encompasses a broader vision of how we can conduct research in ways that are less harmful to our planet.
The Path Forward
As we celebrate our achievements, we are also looking ahead. The 2025 Freezer Challenge Season has already begun, and we are more committed than ever to growing our participation and impact. Our goal is to encourage even more labs to join this important initiative, not only within BCH but also across the research community at large.
Winning the Top Clinical Organization Award three years in a row is a remarkable accomplishment, but it’s also a call to action. We must continue to lead by example, inspiring others to adopt sustainable practices in their laboratories. By doing so, we can ensure that BCH remains at the forefront of the Greener Movement in Sustainable Labs.
Conclusion
Boston Children’s Hospital Research is not just contributing to scientific advancements; we are also pioneering a path towards a more sustainable future. Our achievements in the International Freezer Challenge are a testament to what can be accomplished when we come together with a shared commitment to both our science and our planet.
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to expanding our sustainability initiatives, empowering our labs to adopt greener practices, and continuing to serve as a model for other institutions. Together, we can achieve even greater things in the years ahead.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet!