ISSA Canada

 ISSA Canada Recognizes Environmental Stewardship Award Winners

ISSA Canada, a division of ISSA – the worldwide cleaning industry association, is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award. Among the distinguished winners are Dustbane Products Ltd., the General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant and the General Motors St. Catharines Propulsion Plant.

“ISSA Canada has long recognized the outstanding initiatives Canadian companies have implemented to help the environment and reduce their carbon footprint,” said ISSA Canada Executive Director, Mike Nosko. “This year we were honored to celebrate three exceptional organizations who are leading the way in environmental responsibility and sustainability.”

	ISSA Canada Executive Director Mike Nosko presents the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award to Shannon Hall, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Dustbane Products Ltd.

Established in 1908, Canadian-owned and operated Dustbane Products Ltd. has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation and sustainability within the cleaning industry. With over a century of expertise, the Ottawa, ON-based company has positioned itself as a forward-thinking leader in environmentally responsible cleaning products and sustainable practices.

“We believe that our employees, partners, and customers want to work with organizations who are doing right for our planet and its people while at the same time helping solve their business problems,” said Dustbane Executive Vice President, Shannon Hall. “That is why it is such an honor to be recognized as a recipient of the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award.”

The company’s “Give Meaning to Your Cleaning” program underscores the importance of responsible, sustainable cleaning practices. The initiative highlights how the choice of cleaning products and methods can significantly impact both the environment and society. Through training, guidance, and multiple resources, Dustbane empowers its customers to make informed decisions about their cleaning processes while supporting their sustainability goals. 

In line with its environmental objectives, Dustbane launched the “Buy 1 / We Plant 1” initiative which pledges to plant one tree for every four-litre EcoLogo® certified hard surface cleaner sold. So far, Dustbane has planted nearly 800,000 trees, bringing it closer to its ultimate goal of 1,000,000 trees.

“Planting trees is a simple yet impactful way for our partners and customers to take action on climate change,” Hall said. “This initiative not only contributes to reforestation but also fair-wage employment for local villagers, allowing them to provide for their families.”

Through initiatives like “Give Meaning to Your Cleaning” and “Buy 1 / We Plant 1,” Dustbane continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing high-quality cleaning products while promoting environmental responsibility.

	The General Motors St. Catharines Propulsion Plant receives the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award. (In photo/from left) Tim Glasier (Maintenance Area Manager); Natasha Chin (Environmental Supervisor - CAMI and St. Catharines); Richard Snary (Engineering Manager); Ron Giberson (Facility Area Manager); Mike Nosko (ISSA Canada Executive Director); Gavin Coman (Environmental Lead - St. Catharines); Monica Czechowski (Environmental Leader - St. Catharines); Jacob Durant (Environmental Intern); and Rick Secord (Facility Supervisor).

The General Motors St. Catharines Propulsion Plant’s unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship also made the facility a clear choice for the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award.

“Receiving this award is a great reminder that GM’s commitment to zero emissions is a conscious choice that leads to big, meaningful change,” said Gavin Coman, Senior Environmental Lead, GM St. Catharines. “It is a testament of the St. Catharines team’s unwavering commitment to protecting the environment while setting new standards for a cleaner, greener future.”

The St. Catharines facility engineering/environmental team is dedicated to finding new ways to minimize the facility’s carbon footprint. Home to GM Canada’s first renewable energy project, the plant operates a co-generation (Co-Gen) facility in partnership with Walker Landfill. The plant uses renewable landfill gas to generate 6.4 megawatts of electricity and 8.2 megawatts of heat, significantly reducing the plant’s net emissions by an estimated 70 per cent. This innovation supports GM’s goal of sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy by 2035.

Meeting weekly, the environmental team focuses on energy conservation, compressed air reduction and efficient lighting systems. Their efforts have decreased air leak costs by 40 per cent and are driving the switch to conservative LED lighting systems. In terms of water conservation, the implementation of a “once-through” cooling system, which draws water directly from the Welland Canal, has discontinued the use of cooling towers for the canal water chillers, reduced electricity usage by 8,600 megawatts annually, and prevented 800 tons of CO2 emissions.

 The St. Catharines plant is committed to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and health across its facility. This dedication is evident through the company’s proactive measures to manage spills, waste management practices, and maintenance of the surrounding environment to ensure habitats remain pristine.

With its focus on renewable energy, water conservation, and waste reduction, the St. Catharines plant has demonstrated its leadership in advancing GM’s global sustainability goals. These initiatives not only highlight the plant’s dedication to environmental excellence, but also positions it as a model for sustainable manufacturing practices within the Canadian automotive industry.

	General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant receives the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award. (In photo/from left) Dennis Zbona (Industrial Engineering Intern); Lora van den Heuvel (Production Group Leader); Stephen McCoy (Sr. Environmental Leader); Mike Nosko (ISSA Canada Executive Director); Aaron Woods (Environmental Supervisor); Barry Lawless (Paint Launch Lead); Rae Fray (Environmental Engineering Intern); Matt Hamilton (Paint Maintenance Planner); and Jake Currie (Plant Director).

The General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant also earned recognition for its robust environmental initiatives and continuous efforts to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and health.

Environmental education is a core component of GM Oshawa’s operations. Through its ISO 14001 Third-Party Certified Environmental Management System (EMS), employees receive regular training on sustainable practices. The Sustainability Ambassador Program further amplifies these efforts by encouraging employees to champion environmental responsibility within the workplace and the community.  

GM Oshawa actively engages in community-driven sustainability projects, such as the Highway of Heroes tree planting initiative where 10,000 trees were planted in remembrance of fallen soldiers

“Our eco-friendly initiatives extend far beyond product choices,” said Aaron Woods, Environmental Supervisor at the GM Oshawa plant. “We actively support ecosystem restoration projects, such as planting milkweed and natural flora gardens for pollinators, and we even maintain a beehive on-site.” 

GM Oshawa’s commitment to environmental stewardship is further reflected in its use of certified eco-friendly products, vetted through their chemical approval process for environmental compliance. The plant’s leadership in GM’s Zero Waste Program is driving a reduction in non-diverted waste, with a goal of reaching 90 per cent non-recyclable waste diversion by 2025.

“To be honored with the Environmental Stewardship award is validation of the many efforts we have already implemented,” Woods said. “It also encourages us to continue raising the bar when it comes to our employees and the surrounding community in environment and sustainability.”

ISSA Canada’s Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes and honors organizations committed to environmental management and a dedication to the value of clean. Each year ISSA Canada presents up to six awards to companies who have been nominated by current active members. Winners are selected by the association’s executive staff based on their ability to meet four of the six award criterion.

For more information about the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award, please visit www.issa-canada.com.