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| A biosafety cabinet (BSC) is the primary containment device used in biological laboratories to protect personnel, products, and the environment from biohazards. The average life expectancy of a BSC is 15 years, but many remain in service well beyond that. Aging BSCs are more likely to fail, less likely to be repairable, are less ergonomic, and use more energy than newer models. To improve health and safety, sustainability, and research continuity, the University of Wisconsin-Madison launched a BSC Replacement Program. Under this program, campus pays 60% of the purchase price of a new BSC. The 40% paid by the labs is reinvested in the purchase of additional BSCs. Administrative improvements including leveraging a campus work order and asset management tool streamlined the program and reduced the burden on laboratories. A partnership with the Office of Sustainability measured real-world energy savings and identified additional financial incentives. Based on the success of the program and high demand, in 2024 UW-Madison leadership committed $2.8M to replace an additional 375 eligible BSCs over the next five years. |
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