Protect Your Research and the Planet: Finding Reliable, Sustainable Cold Storage Solutions
As sustainability becomes a priority in the life sciences, laboratories and organizations are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their environmental impact. And with conventional ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers consuming the same amount of energy per day as the average US household1, it's no surprise that labs are focusing on greener cold storage solutions.
Fortunately, there are now a range of innovative cold storage solutions designed to help reduce environmental impact. And these ‘green superheroes’ of the lab are paving the way for greater sustainability, without compromising performance.
Here, we outline the most important considerations for choosing a sustainable freezer that helps protect both your research and the planet.
1. Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most important factors in reducing the environmental impact of cold storage equipment. More energy efficient units consume less electricity to function, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
Units with high energy efficiency don’t just benefit the environment. They can also lower operational costs over time, making such units a smart investment for laboratories.
To get a reliable measure of a freezer's energy efficiency, one thing to look for is an ENERGY STAR® certification (which can be verified by the presence of the official ENGERY STAR logo) or search for the product’s model number on the ENERGY STAR website database of all their certified products.
2. Natural refrigerants
Different refrigerants can have drastically different environmental impacts. The secret to assessing them lies in a metric called Global Warming Potential (GWP), which can easily be found online. The closer the GWP score is to zero, the better it is for the environment. R-23, a common refrigerant still used for ultra-low refrigeration today, has an astounding GWP of 14,800.2 Newer, natural hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R600A (isobutane) or R290 (isopropane), however, have GWP scores as low as 3.3
As well as being better for the environment, natural hydrocarbon refrigerants can also be more energy efficient, resulting in lower running costs. Moreover, HFC refrigerants currently used in many cold storage units will become scarcer and more expensive due to their planned phase out in the US4, so purchasing a natural refrigerant unit sooner could reduce costs down the line.
3. Product support
Products that you need to replace less often may be better for the environment, as it means fewer units produced, shipped and sent to landfills. Often, cold storage units have to be replaced simply because the parts needed to fix them are no longer available.
So, we recommend purchasing from manufacturers that are committed to continuing supply of parts after the end of freezer production. Doing so will likely mean the freezer can be used for longer, helping reduce waste and saving costs associated with more frequent replacement and downtime.
4. Product end-of-life considerations
When a cold storage unit does need to be replaced, ensuring it stays out of landfill can further support sustainability. That’s why we recommend opting for companies that offer take-back programs where the old equipment is either recycled or refurbished.
Keep an eye out for vendors offering programs where old equipment is donated to developing countries, too. This helps minimize e-wastage in landfill and gives organizations in said countries a unique opportunity to access critical equipment they might otherwise struggle to purchase.
Finding sustainable performance you can trust
Choosing sustainable cold storage is a vital step toward reducing environmental impact in the laboratory. By keeping the above considerations in mind, you’ll have a strong start to your green cold storage selection journey.
However, finding the perfect balance between sustainability, performance, reliability, and cost can be complex. That's why we've created a free eBook packed with expert insights and practical advice to help you navigate your options and find a cold storage solution that meets all your needs.
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