SA's businesses get stamp of approval

The Motor Trade Association of South Australia awarded Level 3 Green Stamp Plus Environmental Accreditation, the highest level of accreditation, to River Murray Auto Wreckers on 31 March.

River Murray Auto Wreckers is the sixth South Australian business to achieve Level 3 Environmental Accreditation in the national Green Stamp Plus program.

The company was awarded the accreditation for their best practice environmental management for recycling grey water, collecting rainwater, having appropriate spill kits and recycling waste fuel.

River Murray Auto Wrecker owner, Darren Vanderwoude, says the company is pleased to be acknowledged by the MTA as a Green Stamp Plus Accredited Member.

“Becoming accredited was one of our goals within our first 12 months of taking over River Murray Auto Wreckers, and to reach Level 3 accreditation surpassed all our expectations; we’re thrilled with it,” Vanderwoude says.

“It has helped streamline certain areas of our business such as waste fluid collection and storage and also helps improve the reputation of our business and of the auto recycling industry as a whole,” he said.

River Murray Auto Wreckers joins Level 3 accredited businesses Chameleon Crash Repairs, awarded for its use of water-based spray paints and portable wash bay in 2010.

The new wash bay ensured the company met legal compliance and best practice environmental management.

“The accreditation process was straight forward to achieve and we were made more aware of environmental risks once our Ecomap was complete,” Steven Swan from Chameleon Crash Repairs says.

Ecomapping, an environmental self-auditing tool, has been used by the majority of South Australian accredited businesses and is available free to MTA SA members.

Another initiative carried out by Fleurieu Crash Repairs and Refined Motor Body Repairs was to obtain a percentage of their electricity from green supplies.

For businesses who are concerned they will not be able to achieve Level 3 best practice accreditation, Level 2 accreditation is also available with a focus on going beyond legal compliance.

Green Stamp Plus Environmental Accreditation is available to all MTA members. Accredited businesses receive a promotion pack and are promoted on the MTA website and the National Green Stamp Plus website.

For more information on Green Stamp Plus Accreditation visit www.greenstampplus.com.au or contact your state association.