The International Freezer Challenge - I2SL & My Green Lab
Boston Children's Hospital Wins Top Clinical Organization in the International Freezer Challenge for Two Consecutive Years!
At Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), we're dedicated to advancing medical research while also caring for our planet. We're thrilled to announce that our commitment to sustainability has earned us the top clinical organization award in the International Freezer Challenge for the second year in a row! 🌟
What is the International Freezer Challenge?
The International Freezer Challenge, organized by I2SL (International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories) and My Green Lab, is a global competition that encourages laboratories to implement best practices in cold storage management. The goal is to reduce energy consumption, improve sustainability, and minimize the environmental impact of research activities.
Goals of the Freezer Challenge
The Freezer Challenge aims to:
Reduce Energy Consumption: Optimize freezer use to lower energy usage and operational costs.
Enhance Sustainability: Encourage labs to adopt sustainable practices and technologies.
Promote Best Practices: Share effective strategies for managing cold storage units.
The Process
Participating labs follow guidelines provided by My Green Lab to improve the efficiency of their freezer management. This includes:
Cleaning Out Freezers: Regularly defrosting and cleaning to improve performance.
Consolidating Samples: Organizing samples to reduce the number of freezers needed.
Upgrading Equipment: Replacing old freezers with energy-efficient models.
Temperature Management: Adjusting temperature settings to the optimal levels.
BCH's Impact: 108 Metric Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced!
Our research teams at BCH took these guidelines to heart and made significant changes to our freezer management practices. As a result, we reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 108 metric tons in 2022 and 2023! This achievement not only highlights our dedication to environmental stewardship but also demonstrates the positive impact that sustainable practices can have on our operations and the planet.
Looking Forward to 2024
With the 2024 Freezer Challenge results just around the corner, we're excited to see the potential for even greater achievements. Our teams have been hard at work implementing new strategies and innovations, and we can't wait to share the results with you.
Join Us in Celebrating!
We invite you to join us in celebrating this fantastic achievement. By working together, we can make a difference in both healthcare and environmental sustainability. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and future initiatives as we continue to lead the way in sustainable research practices.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible, and here's to another year of making BCH a greener and more sustainable place for research! 🌍💚