Environmental Issues

Commercial carwashes and car care facilities have numerous environmental concerns, and establishing green business practices is not only an operations solution but a smart marketing strategy. Eco-friendly best practices may include water reclamation or water recycling, wastewater management, high-pressure nozzles, environmentally friendly chemicals, recycled building materials and energy conservation, such as the use of efficient lighting, used-oil heaters and burners, solar energy, wind power and variable frequency drives.

  • Honest Commitment to Environment Strengthens Business
    Whether the adoption of green practices makes sense at your carwash depends on your goals. An upfront capital investment can permanently reduce your operating expenses, but your investment — even after government subsidies and tax breaks — will be significant. Your market ...More
    January 6, 2010 Robert Burke
    Posted in Articles, Marketing, Operations
  • Zep Acquires Auto Aftermarket Chemical Supplier Amrep
    Zep Inc. has acquired Atlanta-based chemical supplier Amrep Inc. for $64.4 million in cash, according to a company press release. Amrep makes maintenance chemicals for the automotive aftermarket, including some detailing and appearance products, as well as the janitorial ...More
    January 5, 2010
    Posted in News, Operations
  • C-store Chains Join ICA WaterSavers Carwash Program
    Two prominent convenience store chains joined the International Carwash Association’s WaterSavers program in mid-December, boosting the number of participating carwash locations to 570. With the additions of The Pantry and Circle K, there are now more than 100 companies ...More
    December 28, 2009
    Posted in News, Marketing, Operations
  • Wind Turbine Ordinance would not Benefit N.J. Carwash
    A proposed ordinance in Wayne, N.J., would allow the placement of wind turbines in the township’s industrial zones but not in the business zone where Wayne Auto Spa has fought for months to erect a turbine to help produce energy for the carwash, according to a report by ...More
    December 10, 2009
    Posted in News, Marketing, Operations
  • Carwash Owner Protests County’s Water Rates
    A carwash owner in Spotsylvania County, Va., says the county’s tiered rate structure for water and sewer fees is not in line with neighboring counties. As a result, the water and sewer bill for his $3 Car Wash located in the county is twice as much as the facilities he owns ...More
    December 10, 2009
    Posted in News, Operations
  • Fast Lubes Remain Relevant, Viable & Valuable
    The fast lube business is a good business, but like any industry these days, it faces challenges. There also are plenty of opportunities to build on our foundation of service and convenience. As we head into 2010, the industry continues to be relevant to the automotive ...More
    December 9, 2009 David Saddler
    Posted in Articles, Marketing, Operations
  • Smart Car Wash Breaks Ground, Seeks LEED Certification
    The Smart Car Wash broke ground in Woodbridge, Va., Dec. 2, marking a step forward in its quest for certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. LEED is a rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council that awards points to buildings ...More
    December 9, 2009
    Posted in News, Marketing, Operations
  • Wash. Metro Fined $200K for Rail Car Washing Accident
    The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) agreed to pay a $200,000 fine Nov. 25 for violating the Clean Water Act six years ago when it discharged wastewater containing hydrofluoric acid into the local sewer system. The incident occurred Oct. 2-7, 2003, ...More
    December 7, 2009
    Posted in News, Operations
  • Five Key Business Action Areas for Carwashes in 2010
    I’ve always been an optimistic person. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that chaos and uncertainty affect people in one of two ways. One reaction is to bemoan the current circumstances and then hunker down and wait for conditions to stabilize. The other is to see ...More
    December 3, 2009 Gary Dennis
    Posted in Articles, Marketing, Operations
  • Arizona Carwash Installs 90 Solar Panels
    The owners of Xpress Lube in Benson, Ariz., have installed 90 solar panels on the roof of the facility’s carwash, according to a report by the San Pedro Valley News-Sun. Terry and Denise Celentano used federal grant money and rebates from the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric ...More
    December 3, 2009
    Posted in News, Marketing, Operations
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