NORTHBROOK, Ill.—To help facilities achieve a higher level of clean, ISSA and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a division of ISSA, have partnered with GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific and a leading provider of advanced dispensing solutions for commercial facilities, to launch the GP PRO GBAC STAR™ Grants Program. The program offers GBAC STAR facility accreditation grants to qualifying public and commercial facilities committed to enhancing cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention efforts that protect the health and safety of employees and guests.
“The demand for GBAC STAR continues to grow, and we want to ensure every facility has access to the necessary tools and knowledge to prepare for, respond to, and recover from biorisk situations,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “This strategic partnership will enable facilities around the world to open their doors with confidence each day.”
Designed for facilities of all sizes, GBAC STAR accreditation is performance based and provides the framework for a comprehensive system around cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention. Qualifying grant applicants will connect with GBAC STAR’s team to complete the accreditation program’s 20 key elements. Facilities that have committed to and achieved GBAC STAR accreditation are featured in GBAC’s Facility Directory, a public and searchable online tool of accredited facilities around the world.
“GP PRO has a long and successful history of developing innovative solutions that help facility managers and cleaning professionals meet and exceed customer expectations. Never has this been clearer than over the past 10 months, as we have worked alongside these individuals as they’ve adapted and elevated their hygiene readiness and productivity,” said Michael Slawson, vice president of Connected Solutions at GP PRO. “We see the GBAC STAR program as a natural extension of the work we’re already doing, and we’re excited to collaborate with ISSA and GBAC to help the cleaning industry improve cleaning and disinfection efforts today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”
In addition to helping to offset the costs of GBAC STAR accreditation, the grant allows facility managers to apply for a free trial of GP PRO’s KOLO™ Smart Monitoring System cleaning task management software (Basic plan), which uses data-driven cleaning to help boost hygiene and custodial efficiency.
“This pandemic has forever changed the way the world views cleaning, as well as how facilities approach cleaning and disinfection practices,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “As an association dedicated to advancing the world of cleanliness, the GBAC STAR Grants Program allows more facilities to discover the benefits that formal accreditation brings to their cleaning operations, their brand reputation, and their bottom line. We thank GP PRO for its support to make this opportunity available.”
Since launching the GBAC STAR Facility Grants Program in November 2020, GP PRO has provided more than $30,000 in grants and KOLO Task Management System trial awards to more than 20 companies. GP PRO expects to offer the program through April 30,2021. To apply or to learn more, visit https://go.issa.com/gppro-gbac-star-grant/.
About GBAC, a Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation program, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.
About ISSA
With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line.
Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About GP PRO
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products, and related chemicals. The company operates approximately 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates nearly 89,000 jobs indirectly. GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific, manufactures and sells well-known brands like ActiveAire®, Angel Soft® Professional Series, Brawny®, Compact®, Dixie®, Dixie Ultra®, enMotion®, and Pacific Blue™. GP PRO products meet restroom, foodservice, and break room needs for office buildings, healthcare, foodservice, high traffic, lodging, retail, and education facilities, plus a wide range of industrial and manufacturing facilities in North America. For more information, visit: gppro.com.