A History of Green

Did you know the 1st recycling efforts were documented in 400 BC? Yet Earth Day isn't founded until 1970. Learn more about green throughout the ages here.

How to Recycle in an Office

The tips are designed to help office facilities develop more effective and comprehensive recycling initiatives. With a solid recycling program, companies can reduce their carbon footprint while also saving money.

“Now we want to focus on making recycling easy and consistent,” says Doug Berjer, product manager for CFR. “Many times, office recycling programs fall apart simply because staffers find them difficult to follow or easy to forget.”

Because of this, one of Berjer’s first suggestions is to place recycling bins at every desk and workstation so that they are readily available and visible.

“And [at desks] place the recycling bin just a bit closer to them than the trash can,” he adds. “You’d be surprised how much this can improve recycling behavior.”

He also suggests organizing the recycling program around the specific items to be recycled, especially in those areas that generate the most trash.  For instance, a warehouse area may have a variety of recyclables: boxes, packaging materials, bottles, cans, plastics, metals, old equipment, and more.

“Install separate recycling containers for each recyclable item,” Berjer says. “Make each container easily identifiable with clear signage indicating what goes where. This can also help enhance recycling significantly.”

Finally, Berjer suggests that it is important to encourage staffers to recycle with consistent communication.

“Make sure every worker is aware of the [recycling] program in place and its importance. Establish goals and track the progress. As it improves, let everyone know how much they have helped accomplish so far. Consistent feedback leads to consistent compliance.”

The source of these tips, CFR, are manufacturers of continuous recycling carpet extractors.

Happy Spring Clean

Today is the First Day of Spring! Stratus wants to wish all our followers a productive, warm and sunny season.

(What a great time to tackle that Spring Cleaning, too...)

Spring Cleaning Time

It's about that time again... Spring Cleaning!

Did you know that new research 73% of those who spring clean strongly or somewhat agree that it's a tradition worth keeping, but 13% of that same group strongly or somewhat agree that if it wasn't for spring cleaning, they would probably never clean their home!

To get started, clear out your areas, inventory supplies, plan your attack and recruit some help. You'll be clean in no time - without losing your mind!

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a day known for all things green.

Stratus wants to give you some other ways to go green this year.

How about taking your bike instead of a car now that it's getting warmer?

Growing your own veggies and herbs will earn you green points, too.

And with the holiday being over a weekend day, change out your florescent light bulbs to LED light bulbs.  

To learn more ways to go green, check out this Go Green for St. Paddy's Day Guide. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

How to Stay Healthy

Do you have Traylor's mother in your office? Let's hope Dilbert doesn't get sick!

Hand washing is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves.

The Center for Disease Control says to correctly wash your hands you need to follow these steps:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
• Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Learn more about hand washing here.

Fredbird is Down with Stratus!

The World Series Champs ST. LOUIS CARDINALS are down with Stratus! (Our insurance doesn't cover birds though... Sorry, Fredbird!)

Introducing StratusPrivateLabel.com: The Cleaner Way

Stratus Building Solutions is committed to serving our customers and franchise owners alike by providing them top notch Stratus products. All of our branded products are carefully chosen and formulated to the high expectations Stratus has.

Our Stratus Green Clean line of cleansing agents are certified by Green Seal, a 3rd party verification company that ensure products meet specific stringent environmental requirements. 

Our Stratus Private Label HEPA Backpack Vacuum is the only vacuum model endorsed by the America Lunch Association.

You can learn more about the Stratus products in detail at our new site: www.stratusprivatelabel.com.

Stratus Environmental Attributes

Cleaning products are a major contributor to indoor air quality issues in closed environments.

Many commercial cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can give rise to respiratory irritations, headaches and other symptoms in workers and building occupants. In fact, cleaning solutions can enter your soil and waterways causing long term environmental issues.

All Stratus cleaning compounds, materials and equipment are selected for their environmental attributes.

Learn More 

Stratus Isn't Scared of the Dark

Scared of the dark...?

Most office cleaning is done at night, when the employees and customers are gone and the hustle and bustle for the day is over.

After house are the prime time for the Stratus Building Solutions representative to maintain your facility.

Stratus franchise owners are easily identified by ID badge and uniform and have completed a background check to assure you have a safe, trusted professional in your building.

Call Stratus to see what we can do to help maintain your facility at hours that are convenient for you. 877-731-2020.

Connect with Stratus Building Solutions

Check out the latest Stratus Connect Cards created by National Marketing Manger, Marisa Lather!

Did you know we are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn & Pinterest? Come follow us - we share good info that you can actually use.

What's your favorite way to engage with companies and brands?

Team Cleaning at Home

Take the professional "Team Cleaning" method home with you: Make clutter-busting a game with Ping-Pong balls. Each person chooses a ball, completes the task, then chooses another one. After 30 minutes, whoever has the most balls gets a prize -- like a no-chores day or control of the TV remote.

(Idea and picture from BHG)

How to Recycle a Milk Jug to a Reusable Container

Bringing your lunch is a great way to take control of your health (and your wallet!) but tons of plastic bags are not very green. This is a quick weekend project that will cost you next to nothing.

LunchPunchit shares this tutorial how to turn an empty milk jug into a functional to-go container. All you have to do is wash out your empty jug, draw and cut the lines like you see in the picture (from LunchPunchit.com), and use a little piece of hook and loop closure (brand name is Velcro) and you're all set!

See full tutorial here.