Cardboard boxes keep items safe in the post

When sending large or unusually shaped items through the post, cardboard boxes can be the ideal solution to help keep the safe and secure. They are strong, easily labelled and offer protection to bulky and fragile items such as ornaments. In addition, if the item is unusually shaped you can easily add further padding to keep the item in place. Once the box has been used, they can be used again for sending further items or to store items in your loft and even when you have finished with the box, it can be recycled so it is an environmentally-friendly solution.

Meat producer cuts waste in white cotton gloves, water and electricity

National Steak and Poultry (NSP) has managed to reduce waste in white cotton gloves, water and electricity considerably in just over a year.

Fresh water use has been reduced by 7.5%, and they have also saved 222,000 kilowatts of power thanks to recent eco-initiatives.

In addition, the company has been able to recycle 900,000 pounds of corrugated cardboard and reuse 100 ink cartridges. NSP also said that a reduction in paper use in its offices has helped it save 40 trees in the last year.

Installing energy efficient indoor and outdoor lighting has had the greatest impact on its electricity usage, and a new washing and sterilization programme has helped it cut its waste of white cotton gloves – which are used to keep employees’ hands warm on the manufacturing floor – by a massive 45%.

David S. Albright, chief executive officer of NSP, explained: “We strongly believe in our efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle all materials we can. We have only been at this for a year, and I am very proud of the results so far.”

NSP is based in Oklahoma, and manufactures marinated food products for restaurants, food services and the military under brands including “Seared and Sealed” and “Steakhouse Certified”.

Superior introduce new range of cotton gloves

Superior Gloves, a specialist work glove manufacturer based in Acton, Ontario, has introduced a new line of SureKnit cotton gloves which are ideal for packaging industry applications.

Available in sizes from small to extra-large, the new gloves come in either white or dark blue, and are surprisingly affordable in price. They offer complete hand protection in a variety of working environments, and are easily washable.

The SureKnit line of cotton/poly string-knit 7-gauge gloves are completely seamless for added wearer comfort, and they are breathable so that hands won’t become sweaty over the course of the working day.

The gloves are reversible too, and so can be worn on either hand. This means that you can order a single replacement glove should one get damaged, which saves you money. They are also available with added PVC dots to improve the grip.

The SureKnit range is CFIA approved, so the gloves can be safely used for food handling.

Superior Gloves are a Canadian company who produce specialist work gloves largely for their domestic market. First established in 1961, they have enlarged their stock over the years from five different styles to over two and half thousand designs today.

Facilitated team development a chance to learn from others

The terminology facilitated team development can often attract negative comments from the more cynical members of staff from an organisation involved. It often pitches unlikely sectors of a company together: the managing directors secretary may find themselves in a group with the loading bay forklift driver and the HR manager. But a wise approach is to go into such a scenario with an open mind because everyone has different skill levels, methods to their work and also personal interests that may prove surprising. You never know what you can learn from other people in your organisation or those in the external company brought in to facilitate the sessions.