Industry Trends

Georgia-Pacific Dispenser Refill Checklist: How to Order the Right Refills Every Time

The Refill Order That Cost Me $450

In September 2022, I approved an order for 50 cases of Georgia-Pacific paper towel refills. They looked right on the spec sheet. When they arrived, they were the wrong core size. They didn't fit our dispensers. Fifty cases, $450, straight into storage—a total waste of budget and a major embarrassment with our maintenance team. That's when I finally built this checklist.

I'm a facilities coordinator handling commercial supply orders for seven years. I've personally documented at least a dozen significant refill ordering mistakes, totaling roughly $2,800 in wasted budget. Now, I maintain this checklist for our team to prevent anyone from repeating my errors.

This checklist is for anyone responsible for ordering refills for Georgia-Pacific dispensers. If you've ever stared at a product code wondering "will this fit the EnMotion 2.0?" or gotten a delivery of the wrong napkins, follow these steps.

The 5-Step Georgia-Pacific Refill Ordering Checklist

This is basically a "measure twice, order once" process. It takes about 10 minutes upfront and saves you from weeks of hassle and wasted money.

Step 1: Identify the EXACT Dispenser Model

This is the step most people skip, and it's the number one cause of wrong orders. Don't just say "the paper towel dispenser by the sink." You need the model name or number.

• Where to look: The model info is almost always on a label inside
• Common Georgia-Pacific Models: Is it an enMotion (touchless), Compact (manual), Marathon, or Advantage? Write it down.
• Pro Tip: Take a photo of the label with your phone. This gives you a visual backup and helps if you need to call supplier support.

Personal Mistake: "I once ordered refills for a 'GP standard dispenser.' Turns out we had three different 'standard' models. The refills for one didn't fit the others. That was a $200 lesson in specificity."

Step 2: Determine the Core Size (Paper Towels & Toilet Paper)

This is the sneaky one. From the outside, all roll cores look sort of the same. The reality is, a 1-inch core and a 1.5-inch core are completely incompatible.

• How to check: You need to measure the inner diameter of the cardboard tube on your current, almost-empty refill. Use a ruler or caliper.
• Standard Sizes: The most common are 1" (for many enMotion and Compact models) and 1.5". But some older or high-capacity models use different sizes.
• Don't guess: If the old refill is gone, check the dispenser's manual (often available online via Georgia-Pacific's website) or use the photo from Step 1 to search for specs.

Step 3: Match the Product Type & Size

Now, match your dispenser model to the correct refill product line. Georgia-Pacific has specific refills for specific systems.

• Paper Towels: Is it a Singlefold (C-fold) or Multifold towel? What's the sheet size (e.g., 8.9" x 10.4")? Count per case.
• Toilet Paper: Is it a 1-ply or 2-ply roll? What's the roll diameter and sheet count?
• Soap: Is it a bag-in-box system (like for enMotion) or a cartridge? What's the fluid volume (e.g., 1000 mL)?
• Napkins: For napkin dispensers, note the fold style (singlefold, multifold) and stack size.

Cross-reference your notes with the supplier's website or catalog. The product description should explicitly list compatible dispenser models.

Step 4: Verify the Product Code & Order a Sample (If Unsure)

You've got a model, a core size, and a product type. Now, find the exact Georgia-Pacific product code (like GPC 1234).

• Double-Check the Code: A single digit off can mean the difference between a jumbo roll and a mini roll.
• The Sample Strategy: If this is a first-time order for a new dispenser type, or if you're switching suppliers, order one case first. Seriously. The $25-50 cost of a sample case is way cheaper than being stuck with 50 wrong cases.
• Use Supplier Notes: When placing the full order, put the dispenser model name ("For enMotion 2.0 Dispensers") in the order notes field. This creates a paper trail.

"I went back and forth for a week on a bulk order for our new breakroom napkin dispensers. The price was good, but the product code seemed unfamiliar. I ordered a sample case. Good thing—the fold was wrong. Saved us $300."

Step 5: Confirm Delivery & Label for Storage

The order isn't done when you click "submit."

• Upon Delivery: Open one box. Physically take one refill and try to load it into the dispenser. Do this before your team stocks the supply closet.
• Label Your Storage: Use a simple label maker or even a sharpie. On the storage shelf, write: "GP enMotion 2.0 - 1" Core Towels - GPC 5678." This prevents future mix-ups.
• Update Your Inventory List: Add the verified product code and source to your master inventory sheet. This makes reordering next time super simple.

Common Pitfalls & Final Reminders

Don't Assume "One Size Fits Most": Georgia-Pacific has a huge product range. What fits the high-traffic restroom dispenser probably won't fit the compact one in the executive lounge.

Beware of "Universal" Refills: Some third-party brands claim universal compatibility. From my experience, they're rarely a perfect fit and can cause jams. Stick with genuine Georgia-Pacific refills for guaranteed performance. The minor cost savings from a generic brand isn't worth the service calls.

Rush Orders Are a Trap if You're Unsure: If you're in a panic and need refills tomorrow, but you're not 100% certain on the model, pause. Paying a 50% rush fee (based on typical commercial supply premiums) to get the wrong product faster is the worst outcome. The certainty of getting the right product is worth a one-day delay. I've paid rush fees for confirmed, correct orders when we had a critical outage, and it was worth every penny. Paying a rush fee on a guess? That's just burning money.

Keep a Physical "Dispenser Map": We have a simple spreadsheet listing every dispenser location, its model, and the correct refill code. It's a lifesaver.

This checklist might seem pretty detailed, but after you use it once, it becomes fast. And it's way faster than dealing with returns, credit requests, and an empty dispenser on a Monday morning.

Product references and model names are based on Georgia-Pacific's public product lines as of early 2025. Always verify compatibility with current specifications before large orders.