To summarise the aim of the challenge is to:

1. To summarise the aim of the challenge is to: • Raise awareness of the energy costs of running freezers. • Warm up freezers from -80oC to -70oC. Saving 10-25% of energy costs. With the agreement of the freezer owner and based on evidence that this will not affect samples. • Retire old freezers and if necessary replace with greener versions, improve maintenance regimes and encourage freezer sharing. Maintenance schemes have been shown to reduce up to 10% of the running costs and improve freezer life. • Develop a greater understanding of sample storage needs based on the scientific evidence, i.e. often samples do not need to be stored at -80oC and higher temperatures will suffice. • Raise environmental awareness in laboratories across the School of Medicine. • Improve the sample management and location of freezers and develop better inventory systems. • Besides the reduction in costs this will also help in achieving the targets set for Universities of a 3% year on year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2011 - as listed in WAG’s Climate Change Strategy for Wales (October 2010)

2. Plug in to the freezer challenge! You are also invited to a VWR presentation concerning energy monitoring and energy saving throughout the laboratory and office environment at 11.00 am on Friday 22nd July in Lecture 2, Main Building, Heath Campus. • Freezer Challenge… • Date • July-August 2011 • The Challenge • Is to reduce and rationalize usage of ULT freezers. (As agreed by the School Executive) • Prizes are kindly donated by VWR • Location • All owners of ULT freezers are invited to take part • Additional Info:Join up and you’ll receive the information pack

3. Not only does it save money, energy and improve freezer life it also makes good laboratory sense… Turn this…. Into This…. Its also an opportunity to improve the University’s people and planet green league position- currently 130/138, the second lowest in Wales