How to Green an Automotive Garage
It seems unlikely in such a greasy business, but some automotive garages are going green. New environmentally-friendly standards are being set. Recycling, saving energy and preventing pollution in the auto servicing business is the wave of the future. Find out how to green an automotive garage.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Start with a dry floor made with non-toxic concrete and no drains. This eliminates washing the floor by hand and hosing oil and chemicals down the drain.
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2
Use an automatic floor scrubber that recycles the water (see Resources below). AAA Automotive Garage owner Randy Nowell says, "It is the difference between using 10 gallons of water a week versus 100 gallons every day."
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3
Light your green automotive garage with energy-conserving lights, and consider a sky light for natural lighting. Cover the floor with a bright reflective paint for additional light.
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4
Buy cleaning products that won't harm the ecosystem when you go green in your automotive garage (see Resources below). Grow or place large plants around the automotive repair shop to help filter the air.
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5
Require employees to clean up spills and recycle the material using a squeegee and dustpan. Use products that have been recycled, such as oil, whenever possible.
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6
Mix vinegar and water for windshield solvent, and find biodegradable cleaner such as Simple Green to clean auto parts. Avoid asbestos exposure when you change brakes or clutches by using the negative-pressure enclosure HEPA system method, or use the low pressure wet cleaning method (see Resources below).
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7
Purchase energy-efficient equipment that carries the federal Energy Star rating. Recycle all possible disposable items, including oil, antifreeze, tires, batteries and packing materials.
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