Environmental Policies
Environmental issues are at the forefront of everyone's attention these days, and we've been taking a very active approach in our day to day business at reducing our impact as much as possible.
We are paying close attention to the ways in which we can minimize our environmental footprint by staying on top of the services and technologies available in our region using them to our best advantage. As a result, we have been able to make a substantial difference on reducing the elements in our waste stream to our lowest levels to ever, and we will continue to seek out new ways to further lower our impact as they become available.
All of our paper, cardboard and plastic is placed in a mixed recyclables bin. The use of such a bin has reduced our waste removal expenses and the amount of actual garbage we produce to a very small amount. At present, we're filling one regular household-sized garbage can about every two to three weeks – this is less than most households, and much less than similar businesses in our area.
We also have contractors in place to recycle our used lubricating oils, oil filters and engine coolants. Contaminated (oily) plastics are collected by government certified contractors. These containers are then processed at regional facilities where they are cleaned of contaminants and recycled. Batteries, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other related items are removed by local collections companies who safely handle these items for recycling or disposal.
In some cases, where engine coolants are deemed to be in good condition, we collect and re-process the coolant on-site and return it to service. The used coolant is first passed through particulate and carbon filtration, then an additive package is incorporated back into the coolant to replace the corrosion inhibition and other required properties before being put back into service. This process not only saves money, but reduces the amount coolant we need to send away to commercial re-processors.
We are regularly looking for new and effective means to further reducing the waste that leaves our business and enters the waste stream. As new technologies emerge, we will do our best to put them into place as they become available in our area.