Freezer Challenge

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Sustainability is excited to announce campus participation in the 2025 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, a global initiative promoting sustainable cold storage practices. This is a fantastic opportunity for labs across UCSC to reduce energy use, improve efficiency, and contribute to our campus sustainability goals.

What is the Freezer Challenge?
The Freezer Challenge, led by My Green Lab and I2SL, encourages labs to adopt best practices like temperature tuning, preventative maintenance, and equipment upgrades. Running from January through July 1, 2025, labs earn points for sustainable actions that save energy and reduce environmental impact.

Why Participate?

• Save Energy: Reduce your lab’s carbon footprint.
• Improve Efficiency: Enhance sample integrity and lower operational costs.
• Be Recognized: UCSC labs have a history of success—Dr. Julio Harvey and the Biology Teaching Labs earned an Honorable Mention in the 2020 Freezer Challenge for their groundbreaking work. Dr. Harvey led the decommissioning of the Thimann Laboratories cold room, transforming it into a functional workspace while significantly reducing energy consumption.

How to Get Involved
This year, the Office of Sustainability  will lead UCSC’s efforts through the Green Labs Program. Labs across campus are encouraged to participate and take steps toward sustainability.

Join the Movement
Let’s work together to make UCSC a leader in sustainable research practices. For more information and to sign up, visit Freezer Challenge.