Tag Archive for: carbon footprint

How HDPE Partitions Can Save You Money

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When it comes to managing your facility—whether it’s a school, an office building, or even a store—you’re probably trying to find ways to cut costs and save money. One of the costliest endeavors that all facility managers face is maintenance. The time and money that goes into constant maintenance can certainly add up, but there has to be an easier way that can lower your costs and save you money on your facility.

One of the best ways to combat costly maintenance is by utilizing the best materials around that will last for years, stand up to the elements, and result in very low maintenance. One such material is HDPE plastic, which can be used as toilet partitions in your facility’s restrooms.

Here are a few ways that these HDPE partitions can save you money with your facility and maintenance costs.

HDPE: The Superior Partition

You may not really take the time to consider the variety of materials that can be used as toilet partitions. However, reviewing all of your options can allow you to make the best choice for your facility. Most toilet partitions are made from plastic with an inner core made from kraft paper or cardboard. Materials like Phenolic, Baked Enamel, and Plastic Laminate may look nice in your restroom, but they may be left vulnerable to the moisture and humidity in your restroom. The inner core will absorb the moisture, and over time, it’ll sprout mold, leading to a pungent odor and a substantial problem to solve.

The smell of mold is never a welcoming sign when entering a commercial restroom. However, utilizing HDPE can actually combat this problem because it’s a solid plastic. There’s no inner core made of paper or cardboard. Moisture and humidity will not seep into the inside of your HDPE partition, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re using the best material possible for your toilet partitions.

Cutting Costs on Maintenance & Partition Replacement

When mold has made its way into the inner core of a toilet partition, there’s no going back. The partition is ruined, and it needs to be replaced. However, due to the constant presence of moisture, you’ll end up replacing partitions frequently. HDPE is a quick and easy fix that will outlast other materials.

Other factors, like aesthetic damage, can lead to substantial maintenance. Whether the partition is cracked, dented, or even written on in permanent marker, there’s a lot of maintenance that’s costly and time-consuming. HDPE, on the other hand, is a more durable option. It won’t show surface damage through scratches or dents. It won’t even absorb any spray paint or marker, so you can forgo a paint job to cover up someone’s unwanted artwork.

A Material That Lasts

Due to the ability to stand up to common issues facing your restroom, HDPE partitions are the preferred choice for facility managers who are looking for a material that they can rely on. Since HDPE is a solid and durable plastic, it can endure a lot more than the average toilet partition. It’s even covered by warranty for up to 25 years. So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting solution to combat costly maintenance, HDPE is certainly a huge step in the right direction.

Would you like to learn more about how HDPE plastic toilet partitions can actually save you time and money on maintenance? Download our free eBook, Choosing Bathroom Materials, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

 

Reduce Your School’s Energy Consumption in 4 Easy Steps

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More often than not, school facility managers are trying to find ways to cut costs. This is particularly important with energy consumption, not only because energy has a hefty price attached to it, but there are many ways to reduce the costs that are more green and eco-friendly.What Makes HDPE Sustainable

To help you get started on coming up with an action plan to cut costs, here are 4 easy steps to help you reduce your school’s energy consumption.

Let There Be LED & Natural Light

Homeowners know that one of the major energy consumers in their household is light bulbs, so to combat the energy bill, they simply leave the lights off in rooms they aren’t using. This isn’t the case with a school because, ostensibly, every room is in use. However, implementing LED light bulbs instead of fluorescent or incandescent bulbs can greatly reduce the amount of energy that your school uses.

Not only should you implement the energy-saving LED lights in your school, but you can always get rid of unnecessary fixtures. Most notably, interior lighting fixtures that are near a window are technically not needed, and your school and energy bill can certainly benefit from utilizing as much natural light as possible.

Cut Down on the Air Conditioning

Who doesn’t like fresh air? Cutting down on the air conditioning can have positive benefits for your school’s energy consumption. When the weather is particularly beautiful, don’t be afraid to turn off the air and open the windows. This can help keep your school at a reasonable temperature without having to use your air conditioning system. By utilizing fresh air and keeping your air conditioning off, you’ll cut costs on your energy bill while reducing harmful emissions.

Be Mindful of Appliances & Devices

After the school day is over and the occupants have gone home, be sure to do a thorough check throughout the building for any electrical appliances that are still on. While appliances like the refrigerator should remain on, other equipment shouldn’t, such as computers. Leaving computers on all night not only consumes a decent amount of energy but also wastes it. Be sure the turn off all classroom computers before leaving the school to help save on energy costs.Earth Tone Inspiration

Generate Your Own Energy

One of the best ways to save on energy costs is simply to create your own energy. Solar panels have been widely used in school facilities across the country with fantastic results. Installing solar panels on the roof or property of your school can help to reduce the cost of energy consumption. Implementing solar energy at your school, you’ll see a noticeable drop in costs and improve your school’s image as being forward thinking, environmentally conscious and, of course, sustainable.

Were these 4 steps on reducing your school’s energy consumption helpful? Are you looking for more ways to make your school more eco-friendly? Download the Sustainable Building Products: How to Make Your Facility Eco-Friendly from Top to Bottom from your friends at Scranton Products.

How to Reduce Your Facility’s Carbon Footprint

Are you looking for ways to make your facility greener and eco-friendlier? Newer buildings have a great start with using LEED-certified materials and newer practices that can reduce the environmental impact of the facility. But if your facility has already been built before the green movement, you don’t have to worry. There are ways that you can make your facility eco-friendlier. Here are a few steps on how to reduce your facility’s carbon footprint.

Get the Most Out of Your Energy

One of the most efficient ways to reduce your facility’s carbon input is to either reduce your energy use (which is next to impossible) or find ways to use less energy. Any rooms that aren’t being occupied shouldn’t have any electrical equipment running. This includes computers, TVs, and even lights. However, if you don’t think you can run your facility in partial darkness, you may want to invest in solar panels to make your facility a renewable energy source.

Keep Your HVAC System Well Maintained

Did you know that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are responsible for 40% of all carbon emissions? In order to keep these emissions low, you need to make sure that you keep up with maintenance on your HVAC system to ensure that it’s running as efficiently as possible. You can also reduce these emissions on especially nice days by opening your windows and turning the system off. That way, fresh air pumps through your facility without any emissions.

Use Green Building Materials

If there’s a remodel or renovation project coming up in your facility, you should utilize green building materials to add to your facility to give it a greener edge. Look for any recycled materials to use in your building. If you have a restroom project in the near future, consider using HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic for your stalls and partitions. This material is highly durable; impact-, dent-, and graffiti-resistant; and 100% sustainable. Not to mention, HDPE outlasts most other plastic materials, and requires very little maintenance and upkeep.

Use Low-Energy Lightbulbs

While it may seem like a tedious process, it certainly helps reduce the energy bill. Using LED lights can greatly reduce your energy consumption because they only use 10 watts, while bulbs like incandescent lights use up 60 watts. If you do the math, you’ll see huge savings when the energy bill comes in.

Boost Your Recycling

A lot of facilities fall short in this category, but you don’t have to. Consider getting more recycling bins for your building and have them placed in convenient high-traffic areas. Educate the occupants on the benefits of recycling, and even what can be recycled. By implementing a rejuvenated recycling plan, your facility can help pave the way to a greener future.

Are you ready to start reducing your facility’s carbon footprint? Check out this eBook, Sustainable Building Products: How to Make Your Facility Eco-Friendly from Top to Bottom, from us at Scranton Products.