Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 22nd May 2025 Issue no. 1163
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PathoSans honours Alliance Française de Chicago with In Good Company Award
PathoSans, a leading provider of sustainable and socially responsible cleaning and disinfecting solutions, has awarded Alliance Française de Chicago with its 'In Good Company' Award for its work to create a safer and more sustainable world.
"The In Good Company Award recognises organisations that demonstrate dedication to 'Make Good' on corporate social responsibility initiatives," explains Ken Campbell, director of sales, PathoSans.
"It takes leadership and innovation to make good on sustainability promises to stakeholders, and we applaud Alliance Française de Chicago for its adherence to safety and helping to create a more sustainable, healthier world."
Alliance Française de Chicago is a French language school and cultural centre in Chicago. The school implemented sustainable cleaning measures that eliminate harmful chemicals that people are often exposed to through cleaning products with toxic ingredients. It is being honoured for its efforts to increase transparency, improve safety and limit its impact on the environment.
"Alliance Française de Chicago has made great strides in protecting students, faculty and staff through safe and sustainable cleaning practices, while communicating these practices with stakeholders," adds Ken. "We're thrilled to honour the team for their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility."
Founded in 1897, Alliance Francaise de Chicago is part of an international network of over 1,100 Alliances and affiliated cultural centres worldwide and the second oldest Alliance Francaise in the US. From preschool programs to junior and teens classes to workshops to summer camps, there are many activities and events that take place within the institution's historic buildings in the heart of downtown Chicago.
With such a rich history and robust educational offerings, Alliance Francaise de Chicago prides itself on continuing its long tradition of celebrating the French language and culture for its nearly 2,000 members. Creating a welcoming environment for all ages and levels of French is key. Cleanliness plays an important role in making members feel comfortable.
Says Mary Ellen Connellan, executive director, Alliance Francaise de Chicago.
"When you are part of a community, you have a responsibility to help support that community. We want to give our students, teachers, administrators, parents and others peace of mind that our facility is clean and safe so they can focus on cultural enrichment."
Over the course of the pandemic, Alliance Francaise de Chicago implemented a hybrid approach to learning and engagement. The availability of online classes and on-site classes, private lessons and events enabled members to take full advantage of the cultural centre's offerings, even during the most challenging times. To ensure the safety of both children and adults, a strategic approach to cleaning and disinfection was paramount.
To improve the facility's readiness to clean during and after the pandemic, Alliance Francaise de Chicago's trusted cleaning service provider, GSF USA, installed an on-site generator from PathoSans in September 2020. Using water, salt and electricity, the system creates two electrochemically-activated cleaning and disinfecting solutions (ECAS).
The first solution, PathoClean, is a multi-purpose cleaner that removes harmful collections of microorganisms called biofilms and prepares surfaces for disinfection. The other solution, PathoCide, is a sanitiser/disinfectant that can kill 99.999% of bacteria in seconds and is effective against a range of viruses including SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes Covid-19.
"Parents are rightfully concerned with their children, which is why we are dedicated to communicating the safety measures we have in place," adds Mary. "PathoSans is a big part of our approach to safety. We know the solutions will not harm the environment and more importantly, they will not harm our students and staff."
Alliance Francaise de Chicago has benefitted from this enhanced approach to cleaning and disinfecting in several ways, including:
Improved cleanliness:
The on-site generator ensures cleaner and disinfectant are always available for GSF's team. The PathoSans solutions effectively tackle visible soils and underlying pathogens, thereby improving the look and feel of surfaces. Additionally, the products do not leave behind chemical residue that can make surfaces appear dull or become dirty more quickly. The solutions have also been used to promptly clean up spilled liquids to avoid stains.
Noticeable drop in cases of illness:
Mary notes that students are getting sick less frequently, including during flu season. Hand hygiene, social distancing and face coverings play a part in this positive trend, along with the fact that the school is regularly cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the spread of harmful pathogens that can survive on surfaces.
Greater assurance in student, staff and visitor safety and wellbeing.
"No one is breathing in harmful products," she says. "This is because, unlike many conventional cleaning chemicals, the PathoSans solutions do not contain toxic ingredients, fragrances or dyes that can aggravate health conditions. They are just as effective at eradicating viruses, bacteria and fungi. This gives the school and its members confidence that pathogens of concern are being properly managed.
"Being transparent about the protocols we have is key. The extra measures our school has taken to clean and disinfect have made everyone feel very secure. PathoSans and GSF are a big part of our commitment to safety."
PathoSans Technologies is a division of Spraying Systems, which has operated in Illinois for over 80 years and is arguably the world's leading manufacturer of spray nozzles and precision spray technology.
14th December 2023