BRITISH SANDWICH WEEK

British Sandwich Week is underway, and everyone here at the Red Bus Cartridges HQ couldn’t be happier.

Sandwiches are without doubt the most popular lunch option for those living in the UK, so we thought it was time to share some wisdom through 20 fun facts, which you can find below…

And don’t forget, to celebrate British Sandwich Week, we have an amazing competition for you. To be in with a chance of winning a £15 M&S voucher, simply head to our Twitter page and enter.

1. The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich, who frequently ordered meat between two slices of bread when he was too busy for lunch.

2. In fact, Hawaii also used to be named after him too. That’s right, Hawaii was formerly known as the Sandwich Islands.

3. Around 12 billion sandwiches are eaten every year in the UK, with Brits spending a whopping £7.5bn on sandwiches during those 12 months.

4. The average sandwich contains 400 calories, meaning it takes a four mile run just to burn one off.

5. The most expensive sandwich in history was sold for the equivalent of £17,000 back in 2004. Why was it so expensive? Because it appeared to have in image of the Virgin Mary on it.

6. In America, more than three million sandwiches are eaten every day.

7. The average American eats 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from High School.

8. However, when it comes to sandwich fillings in the US, peanut butter and jelly isn’t the most popular. That title goes to the plain ham sandwich.

9. There is a town in Kent named Sandwich. However, the town has no direct connection with its bready namesake.

10. The world has been eating bread, or some baked combination of flour and water since 10,000BC.

11. Along with British Sandwich Week, there is also a day, every year where the sandwiches are celebrated over in the America. In case you were wondering, November 3^rd is National Sandwich Day across the pond.

12. There are 11 Guinness World Records relating to sandwiches. 

13. One of these is the fastest time to make a sandwich with your feet. Texan, Rob Williams currently holds the record after making one in under two minutes, using only his feet.

14. On average, men in the UK eat around 110 grams of bread every day.

15. Women in the UK eat slightly less bread on a daily basis – around 75 grams a day.

16. Amazingly, six chicken sandwiches are consumed in the UK every second.

17. A bacon sandwich can actually cure a hangover – that’s according to researchers at Newcastle University.

18. When it comes to national sandwiches, Portugal’s may just be the most indulgent. It contains steak, ham, cheese and two types of sausage. It is then covered in melted cheese and beer sauce just before being served. Yum.

19. A fan of mayonnaise in your sandwich? It might alarm you to hear that the mayonnaise alone is accountable for 30-60% of the calories in that sandwich.

20. To eat the amount of bread produced from just one bushel of wheat, you would need to eat a sandwich for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 168 days.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

NATIONAL STATIONERY WEEK

National Stationery Week is upon is, with April 24-30 marking this year’s celebration of writing and office materials.

Below, we have complied a list of 20 fun facts about stationery. As ever, feel free to share your opinions over on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

1. An average sized pine tree can make just over 80,000 sheets of paper.

2. Before erasers were invented in 1770, the preferred method for removing pencil was actually stale bread.

3. The world’s first pencil was invented way back in 1565.

4. The average office worker handles around 10,000 sheets of paper per year.

5. Pencil leads actually contain no lead whatsoever – just graphite and clay

6. The Egyptians invented scissors back in 1500BC.

7. In the UK, around 45 million printer cartridges are send to landfill every year.

8. During the Second World War, paper clips were used to help fight the Nazis. Norwegian resistance members wore paper clips on their lapels as a discreet sign to show that they were fighting Hitler’s men.

9. Talking of World War II, this was also where ballpoint pens rose to fame. The Royal Air Force needed an alternative to the fountain pen as it couldn’t handle high levels of altitude without leaking.

10. The average ballpoint pen can draw a line two miles long.

11. However, a typical lead pencil can draw one that is 35 miles long – providing you sharpen it every now and then, of course.

12. Pencils can write in zero gravity and while underwater.

13. The first known stapler was made for King Louis XV of France in the 18^th century.

14. Joseph Priestley, the man who discovered oxygen, also helped to invent erasers.

15. The Fulgor Nocturnus is the most expensive pen in the history of the world. Decorated with 945 black diamonds, the pen sold for the equivalent of £6.2m at a Shanghai auction back in 2010.

16. 2,500 pencils can be made from one average sized tree.

17. The word ‘pen’ comes from an old French word for the tail feather or long wing of a bird.

18. Pencils didn’t have rubbers attached to the end of them until around 100 years ago. This was due to teachers feeling as though they would encourage students to make errors.

19. Talking of which, the metal band that now attaches a pencil to a rubber is called a ferrule.

20. Mick Clay invented the drawing pin back in 1903. Sadly, that didn’t stop him from living in poverty as shortly after, he sold the invention.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges163, Beaconside, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 7PT163, Beaconside, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 7PT

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SAINT GEORGE

To celebrate St George’s Day, we have compiled a list of five key facts about England’s Patron Saint…

HE WASN’T ACTUALLY ENGLISH
St George was actually born in Cappadocia in the year 280.

In case you were wondering, Cappadocia is the area now known as Turkey.

Even though St George wasn’t from England and probably never set foot in the country, he is still the country’s Patron Saint – representing courage and bravery.

HE SLAYED A DRAGON (ALLEGEDLY)
The famous legend originates from the Libyan town of Silene.

Silene was apparently guarded by a dragon and in order for the town’s residents to get water, they had to offer a sacrifice to the ferocious beast every day.

One day, the residents agreed to offer their princess up for sacrifice.

However, on the day she was due to be killed, St George came riding by on his white horse, before killing the dragon with his sword, saving the princess in the process.

HE DIED ON THE SAME DAY AS SHAKESPEARE
St George was a soldier of the Roman Army, however after protesting against the pagan Emperor for his persecution of Christians, he was beheaded on April 23rd in the year 303. 

Albeit it over a thousand years later, iconic poet and playwright, William Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616, aged 52.

HE HAS A NATIONAL DAY NAMED AFTER HIM

Since 1415, St George’s Day has been celebrated yearly, on the 23^rd April - unless Easter Sunday falls on the same day.

St Georges Day is England’s National Day, however it is not a public holiday and hasn’t been since 1707.

However, that doesn’t stop the more patriotic citizen from flag waving, Morris Dancing and tucking into some traditional foods, such as fish and chips.

AS WELL AS ENGLAND, HE IS ALSO PATRON SAINT OF…
Portugal, Venice, Beirut, Malta, Ethiopia, Georgia, Serbia, Lithuania and the Palestinian territories.

However, his Patron Saint duties aren’t exclusive to countries.

St George is also Patron Saint of Scouting. So every year, on the Sunday nearest to the St Georges Day, scouts and guides throughout England parade through the streets in honour of him.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges163, Beaconside, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 7PT163, Beaconside, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 7PT

NATIONAL TEA DAY

Just five days after UK Coffee Week ended, it is now time for tea to take centre stage. April 21st is National Tea Day and as we gave you 15 interesting facts about coffee last week, we only though that it was fair to do the same with our beloved tea!

1. Tea was discovered in China back in 2737BC, when an Emperor reportedly found that tea leaves accidentally fallen in his hot water.

2. All tea (other than herbal) is made from the ‘Camellia Sinensis’ plant.

3. When served without milk and sugar, tea contains no calories and has only half as much caffeine as an equal sized serving of coffee.

4. The average tea drinker consumes three cups per day.

5. The UK imports and consumes 140,000 tonnes of tea every year.

6. Between us here in the UK, we drink a staggering 62 billion cups us every year.

7. However, we are not the biggest tea drinkers in the world – that title goes to the United Arab Emirates.

8. According to a recent survey, 98% of tea drinkers add milk - but only 35% add sugar.

9. Some forms of tea has been proven to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.

10. Iced tea was first served during a heatwave at the St Louis World Fair in 1904.

11. Of all the tea variations in the world, green tea is said to have the best health benefits.

12. The most expensive tea in the world is grown in the Sichuan province of China. This tea costs the equivalent of around £155 for a small cup.

13. Although coffee is their main beverage, Americans gulp over 50 billion cups of tea every year.

14. Because of the high levels of antioxidants in tea, you are unlikely to have the same caffeine highs and lows that you will get after drinking coffee. This is because the antioxidants regulate the body’s absorption of the caffeine.

15. Until the Second World War, bricks of tea were used as a form of currency in Siberia.

Don’t forget to vote in our National Tea Day polls on Twitter and Facebook…

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

UK COFFEE WEEK

April 10-16 is UK Coffee Week and to mark the occasion, we have provided you with a list of 15 interesting facts about the world’s most popular hot beverage.

1. Approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world on a daily basis.

2. Coffee is now more popular in the UK than tea. That’s right, according to a recent report, Brits spend 60% more on coffee than they do tea. Wowzers.

3. In the UK, people between the ages of 50 and 64 are the most likely to consume and spend money on coffee.

4. Coffee is also hugely popular across the pond with 54% of Americans drinking at least one cup on a daily basis.

5. On that note, the average American spends a whopping $1092 on coffee per year.

6. You are most receptive to the effects of caffeine between 9.30am and 11.30am, with 10.30am being the ideal time to consume a cup of coffee.

7. Contrary to belief, energy drinks still don't have as much caffeine as the coffee sold in chain outlets such as Starbucks and Costa.

8. Black Ivory coffee is the most expensive in the world. But guess what? It’s actually made from elephant dung!

9. According to a study back in 2013, drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee can significantly improve blood flow.

10. The term ‘Americano’ comes from World War II. Government Issued soldiers from the US would order an Espresso before diluting it with hot water.

11. Unless consumed in very large quantities, coffee doesn’t actually dehydrate you.

12. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the word, with oil being the first.

13. Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world, and has been so for the last 150 years.

14. George Washington invented coffee - but not that one! A Belgian man living in Guatemala by the same name invented it way back in 1906.

15. Coffee has been found to reverse the liver damage caused by alcohol. And before you ask - no, this doesn’t mean Irish coffees are healthy!

Remember to share your opinions with us over on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

10 WAYS TO COMBAT OFFICE STRESS

Almost 16 million people in the UK work in some form of office. While office work may not leave the body battered and bruised like a manual role, it can play havoc with an individuals’ mind.

April 1^st marked the start of Stress Awareness Month, so we have decided to compile a helpful list containing ways to combat stress in an office environment.

As ever, please share your opinions over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

STEP AWAY FROM YOUR DESK
Around 54% of workers in the UK regularly work through their lunch break, with 20% feeling pressure from managers to do so. You have a lunch break for a reason, and you should be contractually obliged to one. If you are able to leave your place of work then you should – go for a walk or have your lunch away from the office. If you work in a purpose built environment that is nowhere near anything, then go to a break-out area for your lunch. Take a book, magazine or just talk to colleagues – leave your work at your desk and relax for the allotted time.

GET SOME SLEEP

The right amount of sleep can help your brain function properly. It has been scientifically proven to help you pay attention, make decisions and improve creativity. Studies also show a direct link between sleep deprivation and increased stress levels. The National Sleep Foundation recommend that working adults need between seven and nine hours sleep each night to function to the best of their ability the following day.

ASK FOR HELP
Can’t figure out how to do something? Struggling to meet a deadline? Why not call in your co-workers for help? The chances are, they either know the answer to your problem or they have some spare time to help you out. Communication is key in any job, and this will help you bond with your colleagues and build relationships. Just be sure to return the favour!

GET YOUR EQUIPMENT FIXED
Sometimes stress in the office can have nothing to do with your actual work. Slow internet or a dodgy keyboard can be just as stressful as meeting an important deadline. As soon as you discover a problem with your workstation, report it to your IT or HR team and get it fixed as quickly as possible.

DON’T RELY ON CAFFEINE
While very small amounts of caffeine can lift your mood and give you a boost, it certainly isn’t something you should rely on. In fact, caffeine can cause sleep loss, cravings and negative health consequences, which in turn, raises stress levels. If you can quit caffeine completely then that’s great, but if not, try to limit it. And whatever you do, don’t consume any after 2pm.

DITCH COMPATIBLE PRINT CARTRIDGES
There is nothing worse than working all day on a document, pressing print to find out that a dodgy copy or compatible cartridge has either ruined your work, or worse still your printer. If you are looking to move away from expensive, original cartridges, then don’t go for compatibles, chose a remanufactured option instead. Remember, you can save up to 70% on your printing costs and get free next day delivery at theredbuscartridgecompany.com

PRIORITIZE YOUR WORKLOAD
Are you facing one of those days, weeks or months where work is so busy that you can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel? If so, then prioritizing your workload is absolutely vital to prevent stress. The first thing you need to do is make a list of everything you need to do, calculating rough completion times in the process. Then put the list in priority order, taking deadlines and importance into account. This way, you will be able to analyse the hours in your workload compared to your working hours. If it isn’t doable, then ask for assistance or delegate the lesser tasks.

KEEP YOUR WORK IN THE OFFICE

Where possible, try to separate your work and home life. You should associate the office with working and your home for relaxing. In some jobs this isn’t always possible, but weekends in front of your laptop are never a good idea.

STAY OFF YOUR MOBILE
It works the other way too – you shouldn’t bring your home life into work. The minute you walk through the door to your office, you should be positive and focused on your work. The more you check your phone for messages or social media, the more you will become distracted, or in some cases, angry. All of which will contribute to high stress levels.

BE POSITIVE
Don’t get stuck in the ‘only five days until the weekend’ mindset. You should enjoy your job, after all, you spend more time in your office environment than you do whilst awake at home. If you dislike your job so much that you have such feelings, then look around for something. A lack of job satisfaction can be an almost instant trigger to stress, anxiety and even depression.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

NATIONAL PET MONTH

April is National Pet Month and to celebrate, we have put together a list of the five funniest animal compilation clips on the internet!

Remember to let us know your favourite over on our Twitter and Facebook pages!

THE ULTIMATE COMPILATION

f you need cheering up, then this one is for you. Ten solid minutes of pets behaving badly, complete with hilarious captions – you won’t be disappointed…

(via CooL Vines)

CATS V TOOTHBRUSHES
Recently, we found out that cats really don’t like cucumbers. But guess what? They also hate toothbrushes…

(via CrazyFunnyStuffCFS)

EPIC FAILS

Animals aren’t just pets, they’re our friends too. But then again, who doesn’t like to see a friend making a fool out of themselves every now and then?

(via FailArmy)

DOGS MEET BABY ANIMALS

The perfect combination of cute and funny. Ideal for the warmer hearted folk among us…

(via Mihaifrancu)

CATS STEALING PIZZA

So they hate cucumbers and toothbrushes, but love pizza? Or maybe they just love stealing? Either way, we can’t work our feline friends out…

(via CrazyFunnyStuffCFS)

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

MAX COLOUR TO THE RESCUE - PART 2

Great news for all the Max Colour fans out there…

Part Two of our office hero’s mission to prevent his beloved cartridges from going to landfill is now live on our YouTube channel – it can also be watched below!

Remember, if you want to help Max in his fight, then visit theredbuscartridgecompany.com or call 0800 091 9090.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

6 MONEY SAVING TIPS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

New Year’s Eve was a whole 73 days ago now. If your resolution of tightening the purse strings has already fallen by the wayside, then give our money saving tips a read – they might just change your life!

MAKE A SHOPPING LIST

Are you the type of person who wanders around the supermarket for hours and are then surprised by your whopping £300 receipt at the checkout? If so, a pre-planned list is most definitely the answer.

When making this list you need to plan all of your week’s meals in advance – including breakfast and lunch. Also, plan all of your snacks and treats too. That way when you get to your supermarket, you know exactly which aisles to head for, meaning you will save time as well as money.

Not only will this stop you overspending during your weekly shop, but it will also stop all those expensive midweek ‘top-up’ shops at your pricey local newsagent or petrol station.

RECYCLE YOUR OLD PRINTER CARTRIDGES

Do you have empty, un-used inkjet cartridges lying around? Or worse still, do you chuck your ink cartridges in the bin once finished? Well you should know that you can earn money by recycling them.

The Recycling Factory reward you for sending them your empty, used ink empty cartridges and will also donate to your chosen charity partner in the process.

Over 350 million cartridges are thrown to landfill every year, with each of these taking up to 1000 years to decompose. So by recycling your ink cartridge, you will not only be earning some extra money, but you will also be helping the environment.

DE-CLUTTER AND SELL

Have a good tidy up and find things that you have absolutely no need or use for anymore, then sell them via an online auction site.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and after all, you really have nothing to lose. It’s not as if you were using them anyway!

DITCH THE GYM

Unless you want to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, then there is absolutely no need for you to pay a £50 gym membership every month.

If you are looking to lose weight then high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are a great idea. The Body Coach, Joe Wicks hit the headlines recently, with his ‘Lean in 15’ cookery books, and to compliment this healthy eating program, he has released a workout DVD with short, sharp workouts ranging from 15-35 minutes.

All of which can be done within the comfort of your own home and without any equipment.

Alternatively, if you want to build a bit of muscle, then buy yourself a couple of dumbbells, a workout bench and research some home workouts.

Don’t forget, if you’ve got some trainers and lycra then running is completely free. Pound that pavement and your bank balance will rise as quickly as your heart rate

VOUCHER CODES

Everyone deserves a treat now and again – right?

The problem is, treats can hit your bank balance hard, which begs the question - why pay full price when you don’t have to?

Whether your chosen treat is a meal out, a spa day or a weekend away, you can save money with a voucher code.

In fact, you can find a voucher code for pretty much any type of purchase these days – particularly if you check sites like vouchercodes.co.uk beforehand.

Using one is simple, all you need to do is find a suitable code, before entering it at an online checkout or printing it off and presenting it at your chosen venue.

Don’t feel like you’re doing anything wrong either. Retailers are absolutely fine with voucher codes, in fact they are a great way for them to attract customers.

You will even find that companies like Pizza Express have a dedicated section on their own site for voucher codes!

REMANUFACTURED PRINTER CARTRIDGES

Do you find yourself spending a small fortune on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges? Or maybe you’ve paid the penalty after using cheap ‘copy’ compatible versions that aren’t cartridge safe? If so, you can save up to 70% by buying remanufactured cartridges.

In fact, The Red Bus Cartridge Company are online sellers and have over 1,000 remanufactured products for you to choose from. We also offer free, next day delivery and never sacrifice on quality.

So if you are looking to save money on your printer cartridge costs then head over to our website and check out our products.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

IMPVASION – SOME LOCAL MOTIVATION

Ahead of ‘Impvasion’ tomorrow, we take a look back to when our local team, Boston United, upset the odds back in 1955.

Lincoln City FC travel to Arsenal for their FA Cup quarter final tie tomorrow evening and will be looking to cause arguably the biggest shock in the competition’s history.

With giant killings on the mind, we are turning our attentions to a huge shock involving another Lincolnshire team, which took place over 60 years ago.

Boston United are the Red Bus Cartridge Company’s local team, with their York Street Stadium being just a five minute drive from our Marsh Lane headquarters.

United were drawn to face fellow Midlands side Derby County away from home in the second round back in 1955, with the game taking place on December 10^th of that year.

So, with a win bonus of a reported £35 per player (£500 in today’s money) up for stake, the Boston side, containing six former Derby personnel, made the 70 mile journey to the Baseball Ground, ready to cause an upset.

Over 23,000 people watched on in sheer disbelief as United recorded a staggering 1-6 win, with goals from Geoff Hazledine, Ray Wilkins (not that one) and Johnny Birkbeck.

The result certainly shocked the entire UK footballing population, especially after the News Chronicle had stated that "Of all the tiny clubs fighting for cup glory this weekend, none has a dimmer chance than Boston".

It was Derby's first home defeat of the season and their third heaviest defeat ever in the competition.

Geoff Hazledine, who got a hat-trick that day, emphasized how much self-belief was in the Boston camp: "I played my best individual game that day. We knew we were going to win. Most of us were old Derby players, throw-outs if you like. We had a point to make. On the day we had more skill and talent than they had. We attacked them from the first minute, and I could see the looks of astonishment on their faces as we piled forward. With any luck we could have got ten that day!"

The result is still a record away FA Cup win by a non-league team against league opponents.

Lincoln City FC and Boston United are separated by just over 30 miles. If the Imps use this 1955 result as motivation and channel their Boston counterparts from 60 years ago, then they might just cause a surprise tomorrow.

We want to wish the Imps the best of luck and no matter the result, they have already done Lincolnshire proud!

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

MAX COLOUR IS BACK!

You aren’t seeing things, the Office Hero really has returned.
After bringing your world into colour, Max is back on our YouTube channel - this time, with a whole different motive.
Every year, thousands of cartridges are sent to their doom in landfill and quite frankly, Max has seen enough.
You can follow in the footsteps of the great man by helping these poor, defenseless cartridges.
All you need to do is visit theredbuscartridgecompany.com today!
See the full video below and be sure to keep your eyes out for part two, which is coming soon.

Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

THE 5 MOST ANNOYING THINGS ABOUT WORKING IN AN OFFICE

Almost a quarter of the United Kingdom’s current population works in an office environment, meaning around 16 million of us have to endure the annoying habits of our co-workers on a daily basis. After a slightly heated conversation at our HQ earlier today, we have selected five of the most annoying things that occur the office environment!

Loud Typing
The tell-tale sign of someone who is trying to look busier than they actually are. Keyboards weren’t designed to be beaten like drums, so why on earth do people feel the need to do so?

Washing Up

Or the lack of it in most cases. There is nothing more off putting than walking into the kitchen to prepare your lunch to find a sink full of smelly, unwashed cups and dishes. On the other hand, there is nothing worse than when you see your name on that dreading washing-up rota. Talk about six of one, half a dozen of the other!

Headphones

So you’re having an in-depth conversation (work related, obviously) with the colleague next to you and they seem a little quieter than usual. Could it be that what you have just said has had such an impact on them that they are actually left speechless? No. You turn your head to find that they headphones in. Unbelievable.

Awkward Hot Drink Requirements
You’ve taken the time out of your busy day to make a hot drink and out of courtesy, you have offered others in the office one too. Obviously you’ve done this 15 minutes after the last round was made to save having to make anyone else a cup, however your luck is well and truly out. Somebody from accounts wants you to boil some water, drop in a licorice and peppermint tea bag before telling you to ‘let it infuse’ for 3-4 minutes. Typical.

Whip-Rounds
Seeing the administrator walk around the office with an oversized novelty birthday card means one thing – it’s time to get your wallet or purse out! Don’t even think about refusing either, unless you want be the talk of the office for the next week.

Disagree? Got anything you would like to add to this list? Comment below or head to the @redbuscartridge twitter page!


Article written by Calum Chinchen – Social Media Executive at Red Bus Cartridges

Max Colour - Office Hero

If you're not one of the 1000's of people to have already seen our Max Colour - Office Hero video, then where have you been?

Why not take a look. 

Making a cartridge - the British way!

Ever wondered what goes into making your toner cartridge?  Take a sneeky peek at our short video, made by our trained, experienced employees in our very own factory in Boston, Lincolnshire - yes, we're flying the flag for British Manufacturing. View now

Things to make you laugh out loud

Just having our office cuppa to start the day & one of the guys showed us this which we're loving!  Take a look goodtimes #wedding #bigday