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Ways Auto Repair Shops are Going Green:
posted by InnaThe Auto Repair Industry has a bad reputation in the world of Green.
To face these issues, several programs have sprung up around the United States to encourage the auto industry to take on more environmentally friendly practices. These include The Bay Area Green Program and the New Green Jersey Auto Repair Program among others.
http://campbellautoandtire.com
These programs strive to establish criteria and quantifiable standards for auto shop certification, and help educate those in the automotive industry on the benefits of environmentally friendly policies.
Check out The Bay Area’s Top Ten Green Auto Repair Practices.
The EPA has recently upgraded regulations but some autoshops are staying ahead of the curve.
Pacific Motor Service, located in Monterey, CA, has been certified by California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as a Pollution Prevention Model Shop and is a Certified Green Business by the Monterey Bay Green Business Program.
In addition, Pacific Motor Service is using an aqueous parts cleaning systems for general purpose cleaning and brake system service instead of aerosol cleaners.
In order to control hazardous waste and storm water runoff, the company sealed the storage area containing the waste coolant, waste oil and scrap metal to prevent chemical leakages during storms.
Pacific revamped the procedure for spill containment by instituting the 4 step method for small spill clean up. This involves having separate mops for each chemical (one mop for an antifreeze spill, and one mop for an oil spill). Any clean mop water is directed into the city sewer system. In addition, they posted “do not dump into storm drain” signs, for clarity, at the storm drains in the parking lot.
To reduce waste and improve energy and cost savings the company installed florescent lighting throughout the building, turn lights off when no one is in the building, reduced paper use and use recycled supplies when possible.
All office and shop support equipment is turned off at night and on weekends. In order to reduce their water usage, low flow faucet heads and toilets were installed Their retrofitting is not over.
Pacific is in the process of installing a $45,000 solar panel array to continue going green.
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