Freezer Challenge
The Freezer Challenge encourages labs across campus to adopt best practices for cold storage unit maintenance, which save energy, money, and can prolong the unit's lifespan.
Help the University to win this global challenge and reach our sustainability targets. The Freezer Challenge is organized by My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), as a free and impactful way for thousands of labs to unite in advancing sustainability in science.
How to participate
- Complete this form to sign up to participate.
- Review the list of actions.
- Sign up on the official Freezer Challenge website to report your actions.
- You will be emailed the link when the official tracking form is available.
- Complete and report your actions before midnight on July 1, 2026.
- Unless otherwise stated, you may retroactively report actions completed since August 1, 2025.
ULT freezer rebate
Energy & Climate Action offers a ULT Freezer Rebate for upgrading older ULT freezers to newer, more energy efficient models. Apply for a ULT Freezer Rebate and get some money for upgrading your old ULT, while also contributing toward the Freezer Challenge! The deadline to apply is May 31st, 2026.
Go beyond the freezer challenge
Shut the Sash
Fume hoods are one of the most energy intensive pieces of equipment on campus. Save energy and prevent accidents by lowering the sash when running an experiment and shutting it when you’ve finished.
Green Spaces Certification
Labs use considerable amounts of water, energy and other resources, so even small actions lead to big benefits. Get your lab certified for actions you may already be doing + discover more ways to conserve and be safe.
Thank you to the labs who participated in 2025!
Thanks to the labs who participated in 2025, the University is saving approximately 55.1 kWh/day. That's about as much electricity as two small households!
In 2025, the University of Alberta ranked 23rd among all academic institutions in the Freezer Challenge.