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The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national program developed by EPA to acknowledge organizations that do an exceptional job of supporting policies and advancing practices that reduce harmful pollution from freight activities. These affiliates serve as role models for other SmartWay affiliates and partners.
ISSA is one of nine organizations nationwide to receive this honor, and the only cleaning industry association to do so. This win was spurred on through ISSA’s collaboration with Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC, and the new Distributor Efficiency Analytics & Learning (DEAL) program that resulted from it. DEAL helps distributors reduce operating costs and be more profitable with its comprehensive, three-part approach—Learning, Analytics, and Awards. SmartWay tools and strategies are critical elements of the DEAL program to help specifically with fleet operations.
“We’re honored by this recognition,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett,. “The mission of ISSA aligns directly with that of the SmartWay program. We’re committed to increasing the appreciation for cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. This program helps those in our industry reduce their carbon footprint, and also enables our members to save money and be more efficient with their shipping operations.”
As a SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Honoree, ISSA and Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC, completed key activities in a variety of areas, including:
- Recommended SmartWay tools and strategies to members (small- to medium-sized cleaning product distributors) to save money by improving fleet operating efficiency and reducing the associated costs.
- Incorporated SmartWay strategies as a core component for an educational best practice series targeted to improving fleet efficiency.
- Worked with members and effective third-party avenues to better understand the process for collecting necessary data for the SmartWay Truck Carrier Emissions Tracking Tool.
- Regularly highlighted SmartWay strategies through press releases, news articles, and social media.
“EPA commends the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge honorees for their extraordinary level of commitment and enthusiasm in supporting more efficient and sustainable business practices in moving goods,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “These organizations represent diverse industry sectors and stakeholders who are showing that American prosperity and protecting the environment can go hand in hand.”
The challenge was open to all SmartWay Affiliates that submitted an application and supporting materials describing various activities they accomplished during the period of March 1, 2016, to March 1, 2017. Honored Affiliates represent 4 percent of the total affiliate membership. ISSA and the other honorees were recognized during a public ceremony on May 15, 2017, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD.
About SmartWay
The EPA launched SmartWay in collaboration with business stakeholders to strengthen competitiveness and energy efficiency while contributing to cleaner air. Since 2004, more than 3,500 companies have relied upon SmartWay data and assistance to lean their supply chains while shrinking their environmental footprints. Collectively, SmartWay partners have saved US$27.8 billion in fuel costs while cutting over 1.7 million tons of NOx, 70 thousand tons of PM2.5, and 84 million metric tons of carbon from U.S. freight transportation networks. For more information on SmartWay: http://www.epa.gov/smartway.
About Sustainability Dashboard Tools
Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC provides comprehensive facility performance data management services, including data gathering, data analysis software, the Sustainability Dashboard, and performance reporting to a range of business sectors. The Sustainability Dashboard is an advanced reporting system designed for business owners and managers and property developers involved in sustainability programs. The system measures and monitors energy, water, fuel consumption, and other metrics, and is specifically designed to be easy to use, reduce environmental impacts, save money, and create a culture of sustainability. For more information: www.green2sustainable.com.
About ISSA
With more than 7,000 members, including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members, ISSA is the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide. The association is committed to helping its members change the way the world views cleaning by providing them with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. ISSA is headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, with regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Sydney, Australia; and Shanghai, China. www.issa.com
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