• Ultra low temperature (ULT)  freezers can use the same amount of energy as a single family home! There are a few ways that we can increase the efficiency of ULT freezers while saving energy and cutting costs.
  • Freezer Clean Outs
    • By regularly cleaning out lab freezers and properly disposing of unneeded, expired, and unidentifiable items we can increase the efficiency of the freezer.
  • Increasing temperature of ULT freezers from -80°C to -70°C has been proven to save energy while extending the life of the freezer.
    • Studies have shown that such a temperature change reduces energy consumption by an average of 37% for both standard-efficiency and energy-efficient ULT freezers without any discernible effect on temperature stability. (source-University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Share freezers with neighboring labs whenever possible
    • If your lab does not require a full freezer, consider sharing freezer space with a nearby lab to save energy.
  • Freezer Challenge
    • The annual International Laboratory Freezer Challenge is open to any lab looking to increase their energy efficiency while participating in friendly competition!
    • Winning laboratories have their names and picture published in Nature, receive a certificate, and will receive a stipend to attend the I2SL conference.

• Vented fume hoods constantly remove conditioned air from the lab without the ability to easily turn them off when not needed. Vented fume hoods are often the largest energy consumer in the lab. (source: University of Colorado Boulder) By shutting the sash when not in use we can mitigate some of this energy loss. 
  • Stickers will soon be available to encourage all lab members to shut the sash!

• Turn off lab equipment, such as water baths, microscopes, and centrifuges when not in use. 
  • Stickers will soon be available to encourage all lab members to turn off when not in use!
• When it is time to purchase new equipment consider purchasing an energy efficient option.

• Organics recycling is now widely available across the Twin Cities Campus! Regularly used items such as paper towels and kimwipes are generally placed in the trash. These items can actually be composted so long as they are clean of any hazardous materials or chemicals.
  • Lab spaces on campus can opt in to Organics Recycling in their lab space by requesting organics collection bins.

Lab Plastic Recycling Protocol

Recyclable materials that are safe to throw in the regular trash can go in the lab plastic recycling. At this time, items that have been in contact with hazardous materials either biological or chemical must not be recycled. Campus recycling is hand sorted by individual people and their safety is important. If there are any doubts about the safety of a material, throw it in the appropriate waste stream; biohazardous waste or collect for Hazardous Waste processing through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the safety of an item for recycling.

Not sure where something goes? Check out examples from the IDK Bin

If your floor or building does not currently have lab plastics collection, please email [email protected] to request a bin.

• Styrofoam recycling costs $50 per pallet.
• Guidelines for Styrofoam Recycling:
  • Coordinate with your building’s loading dock to set up a consolidation point for pallet collection.
  • Pallet size: approx. 40” x 48”
  • Stack height: up to 6’ tall
  • Confirm the exact consolidation location at the dock with your building management.
     
• The University of Minnesota Twin Cities currently does not offer free Styrofoam recycling. However, with enough interest, a program could be established. Please fill out the Styrofoam Recycling Interest Form to share your input. Feedback will help us assess demand.

• Schedule a lab recycling audit
• Schedule a virtual lab recycling presentation
• Request glove and/or mask recycling - email [email protected] to request (glove recycling is $300 per container each time the container is filled; mask recycling is $110 per container each time the container is filled)
• See this document for more info