Every little bit helps
Sustainability has become one of the most talked-about issues facing the world, and
with some positive thinking, autobody repairers can become part of this growing move
to a more environmentally friendly operation, as AP&P reports.
While every little bit that we personally do at home or in the bodyshop makes a difference to the environment, it is crucial to realise that bodyshops can easily learn more about the specific environmental choices they face and become motivated to actually do what it takes to reduce their carbon footprint.
DuPont Performance Coatings not only encourages its customers to look into ways they can improve their impact on the environment – it is happy to promote the benefits customers will reap from reducing their carbon footprint.
While DuPont is using its global scientific resources to continually find ways of making our lives and environment better, safer and healthier, it hopes to help its business partners realise the rewards in doing so.
Reducing and becoming carbon neutral is just not simply about financial changes but changing the culture within.
Managing a bodyshop’s carbon emissions should be an active part of Kaizen committee meetings held within bodyshops on regular intervals, with the next improved state process mapped.
Businesses have to want to achieve the reduction or carbon neutral plan and not just do it because they have to. It needs to become part of the bodyshop culture.
Michael Busch, DPC’s Victorian state sales manager, suggests a number of ways to really see some improvements in a bodyshop’s individual carbon footprint.
1. Not only install water tanks to collect the water from the facility roof for washing customers vehicles – ensure that the water from these is actually used. Many think of installing a rainwater tank and recyclable water transfer systems, but how many actually realise the project and efficiently make good use of the system?
2. Ensure regular servicing of the facility’s heating and cooling appliances and never over-heat or under-cool the applicable areas. Just two degrees will make a significant saving. Seal doors, windows, electrical outlets and other wall openings to ensure air is not escaping and putting additional strain on your air conditioning systems.
3. Register for green energy from the local energy suppliers.
4. Use bio diesel for diesel-powered refinish ovens.
5. Use motion sensors to control lights within the facility and set appropriate lux levels of lighting. A good level is 600 lux in the panel shop and 1000 lux in the paint shop.
6. Install energy efficient light bulbs/tubes, replace low output (60 to 100 watt) incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. These last up to 15 times longer and use up to 80 per cent less energy.
7. Install solar panels for the facility’s electricity supply. Sell back any over-supply created.
8. Fix leaky taps, water fittings and air leaks – find and fix all leaks. Water and compressed air pipes could be costing.
9. Install a solar hot water system.
10.Have the oven burner services at scheduled intervals to run at its optimum.
11.Check the number of fridges needed?
12.Turn it off at the power point when not in use.
13.Computer screen savers are energy wasters – turn off equipment that is not being used, such as computers. This can reduce emissions by up to 75 per cent. Ensure all equipment is in good working order and as energy efficient as possible.
14.Install restrictive flow water nozzles.
15.Recycle not only the water from detailing vehicles, solvents and plastics, but also the basics like cardboard, plastics, aluminium cans, bottles, newspapers and magazines. Reduce the size of waste by using a paint can crusher and shredder for paper products.
16.Switch to lower solvent products. Better still switch to a water-based paint system, which is better for the environment and better for the business. There have been major investments in developing automotive refinishing systems that are environmentally friendly.
17.Consider transport needs – both personal and company. Look at alternative fuel choices and more efficient options across the board.
18. Get a sustainability audit, which can help business become more environmentally friendly.
“Remember, even doing a little bit can make a really big impact.” Busch says.
“Once you have cut down your emissions and carbon footprint to the absolute bare minimum, there is always some extra room to improve – and offset. Look at the many ways available to you from here.
“Consider a carbon reduction plan and work out ways to offset your energy usage, waste, consumables, travel – any impact at all.”