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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.

A Clean School Promotes Student Success

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Did you know that having a clean school can yield positive effects? We’re not just talking about having a nice-looking school. Actually, a clean and sanitary learning environment can positively affect a student’s ability to succeed in their educational endeavors. There have been numerous studies that highlight the strong correlation between a sparkling school and the achievements of the students. We’ll list some of the biggest benefits and help you come up with an action plan to keep your school spotless, so the students can rise to the top with their academics.

Fewer Absences

One of the major benefits to having a clean school is the reduction of the spread of germs. Less germs equals less absences. Through routine cleaning, you’ll be able to tackle the danger zones where diseases spread. By cutting down on the germs and the inevitable sick days, classrooms will be filled with students who are healthy and eager to learn.

Happier & More Productive Teachers

A teacher’s demeanor and attitude can have a huge effect on the student’s abilities. Teachers who educate in a dirty classroom are less inclined to put 100% into their lessons. Their filthy surroundings can have a huge effect on their drive and passion to educate. Teachers who are working in a clean classroom will be more positive and happy when they come into work. Their positive demeanor will reflect in their lessons, and students will be more eager to pay attention and participate in what they’re learning.

Improved School Pride

A student won’t take a lot of pride in a dilapidated school. However, when they actually look forward to going to school, they’ll be more engaged with their studies and active in classroom participation. Not to mention, they’ll even work to help keep the school cleaner by properly disposing of their trash and recyclables.

Getting an Action Plan Together

While it’s important to ensure your school is as clean as possible, you’re probably worrying about the maintenance costs. Sure, more involved cleaning will cause a rise in your costs. However, utilizing the right materials can help you reduce the cost of maintenance and the man hours it requires.

Utilize HDPE Plastic

Schools across the country have been implementing HDPE plastic into their facilities and they’ve seen great results. This versatile material can be used for bathroom stalls, partitions, and vanities. Considering that your school’s restroom can be a hotbed of germs if not routinely cleaned, implementing HDPE materials can help reduce the spread. HDPE stalls, partitions, and vanities won’t absorb the moisture that’s present in your restroom, which will ward off the threat of mold, mildew, and unpleasant bathroom odors.School Cleaning Checklist

HDPE plastic can also be used as lockers. They provide a durable and secure structure that will not only store materials properly, but they’re less costly when it comes to maintenance, compared to metal lockers. They don’t require any fresh coats of paint, they won’t rust, and they won’t dent.

Install More Rugs

Rugs can be very effective at preventing the spread of germs. Most germs are brought into your school from foot traffic, so having rugs located around each entrance can reduce the amount of germs coming into your school. It’s a good practice to have rugs on both the exterior and interior of entranceways, so you can be twice as effective at catching those germs before they spread into your school.

Invest in Green Cleaning Materials

No one enjoys the stagnant smell of industrial cleaning products, no matter how effective they are. Consider using green cleaning products that will help you keep your school clean and smelling fresh without having to use harsh chemicals. Using heavy-duty cleaning chemicals may do the job, but they could have detrimental health effects and cause respiratory problems.

These were just a few helpful tips that will get you on your way to creating a safe and clean learning environment. Do you need some more tips on how to effectively clean your school to help promote student success? Check out this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide for Facility Maintenance & Property Solutions, from your friends at Scranton Products.

Lockers That Can Save Your School Money

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When you’re the facility manager for a school, it’s imperative that you not only keep up with the necessary maintenance, but also find ways to save money for the school. Routine maintenance can end up costing your school a lot, and with the man hours put into thorough and routine maintenance, finding a way to cut down on costs isn’t always the easiest thing to do. However, if you’re planning out a renovation process, there are some things you can do to save yourself time and money on maintenance, and it simply revolves around choosing the right lockers for your school.

The Problem with Metal Lockers

Metal lockers have been the standard for schools for way too long. Sure, they’re stable and they can be painted to match the décor, however, they do require a ton of maintenance throughout the years. Most notably, with scratches and dents that are unsightly and can reduce the secure structure of the locker. Students don’t necessarily treat their lockers gently, and many prefer to slam the locker shut as opposed to lightly closing them. Over time, this can result in surface damage, chipped paint, structural damage—not to mention the loud irritable noise.

When it comes time for maintenance, each locker may require special attention, depending on their appearance and any damage. If there’s chipped paint, you’ll have to add a fresh coat. If there’s any major dents or intrusions, the locker will most likely have to be replaced. If there’s enough damaged lockers, the costs of replacement could be pretty substantial.

Issues Facing Locker Rooms

Lockers that are located in your school’s locker room are susceptible to even more damage because of the humidity and moisture that’s a constant presence. It’s no mystery that moisture on metal results in rust. Rust can be removed with a variety of household solutions, but given the amount of lockers, this process can be time-consuming. The man hours spent scrubbing each individual locker can add up, and detract from some more pressing maintenance issues.

The Solution is HDPE Lockers

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic lockers have been introduced to a few educational facilities across the nation and have yielded fantastic results. They provide a durable storage compartment for students. They’re impact-resistant, so the students preferred method of closing their lockers won’t result in any surface damage. Not to mention, but they’re also much quieter than metal. They can stand up to humidity and moisture without rusting, along with resisting moisture absorption and sprouting mold. The best part about HDPE lockers is that they can last for a long time without having to be replaced.

Cutting Costs on Maintenance

One of the main reasons that HDPE lockers have made a major impact in schools is because they’re low maintenance. They don’t require any fresh coats of paint, and they’re resistant to graffiti, scratches, and dents. The only real maintenance they require is a light cleaning. Over time, you’ll notice that the cost of maintenance on these lockers is much lower when compared to metal lockers and the more involved maintenance that they normally require. Essentially, these HDPE lockers can save your school money on maintenance.

Want to learn more about HDPE lockers and the many benefits to implementing them into your school? Download The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers from your friends at Scranton Products. This eBook can prepare you to make the right decision towards your school’s lockers and cut the cost on maintenance.

Middle School Lockers: Durable, Easy-to-Clean, & Cost-Effective HDPE

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When it comes to picking out the right lockers for your middle school or junior high, you’ll want to choose the right material that can handle a few hits, as well as something that’s not going to cost you a lot on maintenance. There are a few materials out there that facility managers have been using for years, however, there are better options out there, like HDPE plastic. We’re going to list a few reasons why you should consider choosing HDPE plastic for your middle school lockers.

HDPE Locker Durability

Middle school is when most students experience lockers for the first time. They’ve since upgraded from cubbies and desks with storage space. Now it’s time for them to store their materials in a locker, so choosing the right material can go a long way. Metal was always the standard material that was used for lockers, given its strong frame and light weight. However, metal lockers can be subject to a variety of damage and cosmetic issues.

Metal lockers can take a few hits, sure, but after constant slamming, there’s going to be signs of wear. The metal can easily be dented and scratched, but if a student gets the idea of marking the lockers with graffiti, the fresh paint and the man hours are going to cost you. HDPE can be a huge benefit in this situation because it’s a highly durable material that can take a few hits without resulting in damage. It also doesn’t need to be painted because it’s graffiti-resistant.

Easy to Clean HDPE

Cleaning all the lockers in your facility is never a fun experience. Not only are there a ton of lockers to clean, but the process may vary depending on the condition of the metal lockers. If there’s spray paint or even rust, you’ll have to invest in paint for the locker. But while traditional metal lockers can be very time consuming when it comes to maintenance, HDPE provides a simple and easy cleaning experience.

Due to the solid plastic construction, its overall appearance should remain untarnished by dents or scratches, which saves you from having to replace the locker. HDPE doesn’t require any sort of repainting or touch ups, and all HDPE lockers need is a light cleaning every now and then.

Cost-Effective HDPE

HDPE can be an investment…but after 2 years it is typically less expensive than other locker materials, such as metal, due to requiring less maintenance and no painting. HDPE is a cost-effective material that will allow you to save money and time when it comes to maintenance. It’s also a long-lasting material, so you won’t be looking at any costly replacements in the near future, and you’ll be able to keep the same lockers for years to come.

Want to learn more before you make the jump to HDPE lockers? Check out this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.

How Strong & Durable Is HDPE?

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Whether you’re looking to renovate your facility’s restroom, or you’re trying to find ways to get your building LEED certified, using HDPE plastic has a variety of benefits. This strong plastic can help make your building more sustainable and eco-friendly; however, some facility managers worry about HDPE’s strength and durability.

The Durability of HDPE

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a solid, strong plastic that has many applications when it comes to building materials. Some facility managers aren’t sure that HDPE provides a stronger construct than other plastics, but HDPE has been proven to be one of the more durable plastics on the market, making it a formidable opponent to other plastics that are available.

When compared to other plastics, HDPE has proven itself at providing a strong surface durability. It’s resistant to impacts, and even scratches, which are common when it comes to bathroom partitions and lockers. Over time, when you compare other plastics to HDPE, it won’t be too hard to tell the difference based on their surface scratches or dents.

A Stronger Plastic

A major benefit that HDPE has over other plastics is its quick and easy installation. When installing your restroom partitions, it’s important to know that the material you’re using has strong screw retention. The last thing you need is to have the partitions fall like a house of cards while there’s an occupant inside.

Due to its thick and solid plastic frame, screws will be secure inside HDPE. When we tested SCRC (solid color reinforced composite) against HDPE on screw retention, we saw a major flaw in the former material. When measuring the pull force, not only did HDPE outperform SCRC, but a part of the SCRC’s surface broke off with the screw inside.

Lower Cost Maintenance

Because of HDPE’s strong and durable makeup, it also helps reduce the costs of maintenance. You already know that its surface is resistant to scratches and impact dents, but did you know that it’s also resistant to graffiti? Most plastic surfaces that endure spray paint or permanent marker aren’t easily cleaned. In fact, you’ll need to repaint these surfaces if you want to hide this unwanted piece of “artwork.”

HDPE, on the other hand, doesn’t require an expensive or time-consuming paint job. All this strong plastic needs is a simple cleaning of the surface, and the spray paint will be easily removed. Not only will you save money on paint, and time on the actual painting, but you’ll also help your air quality, thanks to the lack of VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions that you’re putting into the air by painting.

A Quality Choice

You’ve read a lot about HDPE and about how strong and durable it is. But it can also stand up to the elements. If you’re using HDPE in your facility’s restroom, you’ll be happy to know that this material won’t absorb any moisture, resulting in unwanted mold growth. Most other plastics will absorb the moisture, sprout the mold, and require an expensive and time-consuming replacement.

Want to learn more about HDPE and why it’s a good bet for your facility? Check out this eBook, Choosing Bathroom Materials, from your friends at Scranton Products.

Tufftec Lockers® Strong and Fit For The Work Hard – Play Harder Lifestyle

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Today’s consumers have extremely stressful busy lifestyles, and work hard to make a living. It certainly stands to reason that with all that hard-work they put out on a daily basis, they need an effective outlet to destress. Many find that outlet at the local gym or sports arena, where they can play just as hard as they work. While using the facilities, a safe and germ free storage option is a concern, and expectations are high when it comes to that equipment. The workout environment is prime breeding ground for bacteria, so finding a product that addresses all of those areas can be a challenge. Fitness centers across the country know they can rely on us to deliver a product that holds up to the traffic, Specialty Tufftec Lockers.

 

 

Reliability Of The Fittest – Solid Construction HDPE

Built from solid core, color-throughout HDPE, Tufftec Lockers® were developed to provide various industries with a better solution, while withstanding the harshest environments. From those hot and humid gyms and fitness centers, to applications in the coldest ski resorts – Tufftec lockers will never rust or delaminate. Add to that the fact that they are also impact, dent and graffiti resistant.

When you add in the options that the specialty athletic lockers provide; the additional room, and optional door front configuration, the lockers really deliver results. The surface is impervious to moisture helping them stand up to the challenge of providing that germ-resistant surface that fitness enthusiast’s demand. But wait – we don’t want to leave out the low maintenance that comes with these lockers, saving time and money, now that’s something to cause every gym janitorial crew to high-five all day long.

Function Meet Form – No Need To Sacrifice Looks

Tufftec lockers may be designed to endure the wear and tear of athletic, and expansive recreational environments, but there is no need for a tradeoff when it comes to looks. With the various color options offered in our athletic lockers, you’re sure to match your style and décor with our color visualizer.

 

 

The perfect combination of flexibility and form, these lockers come in a multitude of styles, configurations and interchangeable options so you can create a customized locker that can meet any of your design challenges.

Ready to go head-to-head with our lockers – then contact our sales team today or download our Tufftec product kit to get more information.