Newest Star Brightens Galaxy: Stewarts Collision Centre
What’s the latest news from the autobody shops in Burien? Stewart’s Collision Centre recently certified as a 5-Star EnviroStar for its efforts to prevent pollution. Run by Stewart Lowe, the shop meets both hazardous waste and air quality standards set by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the EnviroStars Program. One especially bright side of certification: the shop will receive no routine air inspections and a $200 refund on the annual PSCAA fee.
Stewart’s was awarded the program’s highest five-star rating. Some of the examples of the shop’s many pollution prevention activities:
Cut solvent use and emissions by using enclosed spray gun washers
Clean spray equipment in two stages – first with used solvent, then with a cleaner solution – so that solvent lasts longer
Recycle solvent on-site
Keep up with the latest air pollution and waste management control technologies
Spray paint only in an enclosed spray booth with an unobstructed, vertical stack
Assign a staff person to regularly monitor and update air and waste management work practices
Reduce use of chlorinated strippers by 50 percent
Wash cars indoors and drain water into the sanitary sewer (not a storm drain)
Owner Stewart Lowe plays an active leadership role, letting others in the autobody industry know about pollution prevention.
Pollution prevention provides a nice boost to marketing at Stewart’s, which uses its EnviroStars status in advertising efforts. Owner Stewart Lowe also provides tours of the facility in order to share the environmental improvements with other shop owners, customers and others.
The company also took advantage of a local energy conservation program run by Seattle City Light to update their fluorescent lighting. The lighting retrofit, financed on part by the utility, saves energy and money on the shop’s electric bill. Businesses as well as households can also recycle the fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury, as another step to prevent pollution.
Customers are looking to support environmentally sound businesses like Stewart’s. In fact, over 80 percent of King County consumers surveyed said it is important that the businesses they patronize reduce hazardous waste. EnviroStars certification can help auto shops attract and retain customers, and boost employee morale. Members receive a window decal, logo, bookmarks and certificate of recognition to show customers they are doing their part to protect the environment.
EnviroStars certified businesses are also featured in local radio and newspaper advertisements and listing on the program website at www.envirostars.org. Five-star businesses are automatically nominated for regional environmental awards and are featured in special promotions such as Yellow Page ads.
While the program is open to many kinds of businesses, EnviroStars status offers special benefits for autobody shops. The three-year autobody pilot project, a partnership between the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), automotive trade associations and the EnviroStars Program, has been indefinitely extended due to the overwhelming interest and support expressed by collision repair shops.
In a survey of 50 randomly selected shops, 49 said they want the program to continue. A key change this year: Shops earning ratings of 3, 4, or 5 stars will receive the reduced PSCAA fee. That means even more autobody “stars” in the galaxy soon.
