Labs encouraged to participate in the Freezer Challenge
From: Division of Facilities
In labs across the Blacksburg campus, ultra-low temperature freezers quietly consume massive amounts of energy - often as much as an entire household. In an effort to reduce energy consumption during laboratory operations, researchers and lab managers are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Freezer Challenge, a competition that promotes sustainable laboratory cold storage practices.
The Freezer Challenge is a global opportunity for labs to improve their sustainability and energy efficiency by cleaning out their freezers, adjusting temperature setpoints, and educating lab participants. The 2026 Freezer Challenge is being supported by the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety.
Participating labs have until July 1 to complete their scoresheet and submit their data for the 2026 competition.
Register here to participate. Be sure to register under Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The first five labs to complete the Freezer Challenge will receive de-icing kits to celebrate their participation and efforts toward more sustainable lab practices.
For more information about the 2026 Freezer Challenge information session or to learn how your lab can participate, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@vt.edu.