Thursday, June 22, 2017

High Density vs Low Density Trash Bags...does it matter?

High Density vs Low Density Trash Bags...does it matter?


Which liners do I need?
In a word, yes!  There are hundreds of sizes and gauges of liners out there.  If you have a large facility it is likely you have several different sized trash bins.

To keep things simple, you may be buying just one or two liners thinking "one size fits all".  However, you may actually be spending more money in the long run. Why? Depending on the location of your garbage bins, garbage itself can vary significantly in weight and size.  For example, a trash liner used in restrooms contains for the most part paper towels or lightweight material. Therefore, a lighter gauge liner can be used verses a liner that may be used in a break room, kitchen, cafeteria or shop floor.

Where you throw things away as well as choosing the right size and gauge liner can save you money.  To do this below are the pieces of information you will need to determine how you can choose the most cost effective way to purchase trash liners.

Choosing the right Density, Size, Weight & Color


Are you using the most cost-effective option?  Let's see...
  1.  Find out what your annual spend on trash liners.
  2.  Find out what size trash bins you are using.
  3.  Find out how many trash bins you use.
  4.  Find out where your trash bins are located.
  5.  Find out what kind of trash goes into each trash bin.

Industrial Trash Liners
Low Density Trash Liners
After you have gathered the above information you are now ready to choose the right density, size and color liners you need.

How To Choose The Right Density


What kind of garbage gets tossed in specific locations throughout your facility determines the right density.  Will the bag need to contain sharp objects?  Is the trash heavy or wet?  If yes, you will need linear, low-density polyethylene bags.

Low Density Liners (LLD)
  • Made of puncture and tear-resistant resin
  • Great for waste that has sharp or jagged edges
  • Great for heavy, wet or sharp objects
  • Great for tough transport conditions

Low-Density Liners Key Characteristics

    •    Quiet when moved - No "crinkly" sound
    •    Easier to start or puncture a hole in than HD
    •    A hole will spread less quickly than HD
    •    Gauge (thickness) measured in MIL
    •    Most common type in the industry

Low-density trash liners are great for kitchens, construction areas or outdoor trash cans.


Industrial Trash Liners
High Density Trash Liners
High Density Liners (HD)
  • Best for soft refuse (office, restroom, paper)
  • Great for cans without edges, paper, food, smooth heavy objects
  • Three times stronger than ordinary polyethylene
  • Lower-gauge resin, which is more temperature-resistant from -40 to 212 degrees

High-Density Liners (HD) Key Characteristics

  • Makes 'crinkly' noise when you move it
  • Harder to start or puncture a hole in than Low Density (LLD)
  • Once a hole is started, will spread quickly or "zipper"
  • Thinner than LLD, but can hold same or greater weight as LLD liners
  • Gauge (thickness) measured in Micron (MIC)
  • Substantial cost savings on a per-liner basis

The lighter construction of high-density bags can also help lower freight, storage and warehousing costs.  So don't pay for the extra weight if you don't need it.

What's the Right Size?


If you are using more 'bag' than you need, you are wasting money.  How do you know?  Take a walk around your facility and look at how the bags fit each bin or can.  If a bag hangs down over the edge of the can or receptacle by more than 4 inches, you are using too much bag for the job.

What About Weight?


A common misconception is weight or gauge.  Many people believe that the heavier the gauge or thickness of the plastic, the better, or stronger the bag.  Today this is not necessarily the case.  The technology in plastic resins has really evolved, and thinner, lighter gauges with more flexibility now do the job of yesterday's heavier plastics.

How much weight does the bag need to hold?  Figure out the average weight of a full can liner in its typical environment.  Once you have decided on that weight, use that number to check the Maximum Load Rating of the bag.  This number is available in any liner product listing.

Does Color Matter?


Opaque liners are best for aesthetic reasons and hide unsightly trash.  This is important in hospitality environments where trash might need to be carried through common areas.  Clear bags are often used for recycling and orange bags are often used along roadsides or somewhere visibility could potentially be an issue.  For medical waste, bags that feature the bio-hazard symbol are essential.

Yes, choosing the right liners is a little work but is definitely worth the effort if you are interested in saving money.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Biodegradable, Compostable or Recyclable - What's The Difference?

Eco Friendly FAQ's

Biodegradable, Compostable or Recyclable - What's The Difference?


Over the past 10 to 20 years the marketing industry has successfully made the general public conscious of the need to make informed choices when it comes to disposable paper products.  Most people have heard all the terminology such as biodegradable, compostable and recyclable and have seen the symbols on the bottom of plastic containers but what do them mean?

We have included a list of the most frequently asked questions for easy reference to help you to make the best decisions when it comes to buying your paper products.

What does compostable mean?


Compostable means that a product is capable of disintegrating into natural soil.  This typically must occur in about 90 days.

What do the 3 arrows in the recycle symbol mean?
* Collection
* Manufacturing
* Purchase of recycled content products.

What do the terms pre/post consumer mean?


Post:  materials that have been returned, recycled and reborn into a second life.
Pre:  materials that were discarded or leftover when used to make something else, such as factory trimmings, damaged or obsolete products and overruns.

Is plastic compostable?


A plastic may be degradable but not biodegradable or it may be biodegradable but not compostable (that is, it breaks down too slowly to be called compostable or leaves toxic residue).

How can I reduce my paper waste by changing my margins?


Open a new Microsoft Word Document.  Click File.Page Setup.  From the Margins tab, change the Left, Right, Top and Bottom margins to 0.75".  At the bottom of that screen select "Default".  This one change will reduce paper consumption by about 4.75%.  If it spread nationally, that would result in 380,000 tons less paper consumed.

*This idea has been formalized by Tamara Krinksy.  (www.changethemargins.com)

How can I tell that my product is compostable?


In North America, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is the 3rd party agency that determines if products are commercially compostable according to ASTM standards.

*BPI's certification logo can be displayed on the actual product and packaging materials.

Why can't I recycle everything?


In short, not everything has a market.  Recycling is a business driven by supply and demand.  By buying products containing recycled materials, we "close the loop" and markets are developed so recycling those materials makes more economic sense.

Be part of the solution.  BUY RECYCLED!

Is cardboard biodegradable?


When not wet or contaminated with food or oil, cardboard is recyclable.  It is also naturally biodegradable but it's always a good idea to put it in a recycling bin instead of leaving it as litter.

What are the benefits of recycling?


* Keeping material out of the landfill.
* Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
* Creates jobs.

Are compostable products better even if they just end up in a landfill?


Maybe a little, but not much.  In the regular trash, they are still part of the general waste stream.  The best choice is to use reusable items whenever you can.  The 2nd best is to use compostable products and then actually compost them.

Find a community composting facility near you at www.findacomposter.com.

What are some waste minimization practices that I could use in my office, building, or business?

1.  Establish a dinnerware composting systems.
2.  Create & promote a system to report wasteful practices.
3.  Recognize waste reduction/materials management roles in relevant staff job descriptions including administrative assistants, purchasing and building proctors.

Which plastics are recyclable?


Look for symbols 1, 2, 4 & 5 as these plastics are considered to be the safest.  They are recycled into a variety of goods like tote bags, pens, recycling containers, detergent bottles, pallets, brooms, signal lights, ice scrapers and bicycle racks.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

January is National Mentoring Month

What is Mentoring?

Encouragement Goes A Long Way!
Encouragement Goes A Long Way!
The definition is an experienced and trusted advisor.  It is someone who advises you and helps you make a difference in your life.  It is not to be confused with a coach since a mentor does not tell you how to do things.  A mentor takes a long range view of your development and helps you to see your destination.  A mentor also offers encouragement when needed and helps build self esteem and confidence.

5 Reasons Mentoring Helps

Mentoring has a proven success rate.  Research has proven that a young person with a mentor in their life is more likely to avoid participation in negative behaviors, develop better communication skills and become a more productive member in the community.

Success Go Get It!1.  Teaches young people how to communicate and relate to others.
2.  Helps young people set goals and reach them.
3.  Gives young people an example to follow or role model, a friend and an advocate.
4.  Gives young people someone they can turn to when they have problems.
5.  A Mentor is someone who lets the young person know they matter which builds their self esteem and confidence.

Who can be a Mentor and how?

Anyone.  You can volunteer to assist in programs already mentoring young ones or you can learn how to mentor those around you almost like 'paying it forward'.  We have included some links to programs that you can join.  We can also help young ones around us.  Most of us can recall someone we looked up to when we were young.  You may have been influenced by an extraordinary teacher or older friend who you admired because they had a successful career, successful family or had accomplished a huge successful goal.


Links

Mentoring Proclamation
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/31/presidential-proclamation-national-mentoring-month

Programs
http://p4k.org/programs/

Local Mentoring Programs
http://ccberkshire.org/2013/08/northern-berkshire-youth-mentoring-program/

10 Ways To Celebrate...
http://p4k.org/10-ways-to-celebrate-national-mentoring-month/


Areas for Mentoring:  Spiritual, Practical, Academic Mentoring


Mansfield Paper Company, Inc.

www.mansfieldpaper.com

High Density vs Low Density Trash Bags...does it matter?

High Density vs Low Density Trash Bags...does it matter? Which liners do I need? In a word, yes!  There are hundreds of sizes and gau...