Those old refrigerators on the University of Wyoming campus waste energy, cost a lot of money to maintain and may even pose an ozone hazard.
Recognizing this, the UW Sustainability Committee has launched a friendly competition to get rid of those old refrigerators, and will reward a new Energy Star model refrigerator to the worst offender.
The committee presents some facts to show how old refrigerators waste money and increase the university’s climate footprint:
-- The Environmental Protection Agency reports that pre-1980 refrigerators use $177 worth of electricity annually, while a new Energy Star model refrigerator will use $33 annually.
-- Old refrigerators most likely contain ozone-depleting CFCs that are especially dangerous to the ozone layer, and must be properly reclaimed.
To participate in the “Old Refrigerator” Energy Awareness Contest:
-- Take a picture and write a brief description of your UW-owned “Old Refrigerator” (made before 1990 and minimum capacity of 18 cubic feet).
-- Email submission by May 3 to Milton Geiger at: mgeiger1@uwyo.edu.
By May 15, Campus Sustainability Committee members will select the worst offender to receive the new Energy Star model refrigerator.
-- The “Old Refrigerator” will be removed and recycled.
-- All entries will be offered free removal of unneeded units.
What you can do after the contest:
-- Consolidate refrigerators in offices, common spaces, kitchens and non-commercial lab spaces.
-- Remove and recycle UW refrigerators/freezers by calling the Physical Plant movers at 766-2409. To remove personal refrigerators, contact Rocky Mountain Power.