inCorporating "green," or
environMentally friendly,
praCtiCes into their businesses.
green car washes implement practices
and equipment that include water
reclamation and energy saving tools,
such as variable frequency drive systems,
use of renewable materials, recycling
and employee training. effective
marketing programs capitalize on these
investments.
some of the reasons green car
washing is a smart investment for the car
wash operator are as follows:
· decreases energy and utility costs,
including water usage.
· attracts a growing number of
consumers who are becoming more
aware of and concerned about
environmental impact and are choosing
to do business with organizations that
friendly processes.
· promotes professional car washing
and highlights the stewardship of the
industry.
efficient water usage is a key element
to green car wash programs. in an effort
to promote water usage efficacy and
the image of the professional car wash,
the international Car Wash association
launched their Watersavers program
for iCa members at the recent CCWe
in april. (http://www.carwash.org/
industryinformation/Watersavers/
pages/default.aspx)
quick quack Car Wash is a chain
of thirteen car washes in California,
northwest texas and Colorado that takes
pride in being environmentally friendly
by conserving and recycling water. this
company is the first to be certified by
the sacramento business environmental
resource Center (berC) as a sustainable
car wash, reclaiming 100 percent of the
water used in its 100-ft. car-washing
tunnel. the organization also uses only
biodegradable and nontoxic soaps.
(www.quickquack.com)
bubbles Carwash is a 25-year-
old company that is exemplary in
terms of environmental concerns
and is actively involved in the "green
marketing" process. the organization
holds eight locations in the edmonton,
alberta, area, one in kelowna, british
Columbia, and two in Calgary, alberta.
one component of their conservation
plan is to ensure that the electricity
clean renewable sources. the bubbles
organization has dramatically reduced
its carbon footprint by purchasing
electricity for its flagship car wash in
Calgary from bullfrog power, a leading
Canadian provider of 100 percent "green
electricity." bubbles is also reducing its
emissions footprint and is promoting
the production of renewable energy.
by switching to wind power, bubbles
reduces the carbon footprint by 177 tons
of C02, which is the equivalent of taking
40 cars off the road. (www.bubbles.ca)
brown bear Car Washes of Car Wash
enterprises, inc., is locally owned and
operated by the same family that opened
the first location in seattle over 50
years ago. brown bear continues their
commitment to protecting shared water
resources and using environmentally
friendly cleaning solutions specially
formatted for the puget sound region.
products used are biodegradable and
contain no phosphates or caustic
solutions. the brown bear equipment
provides techniques that separate road
pollutants, including oils, heavy metals
and antifreeze, from the car wash
wastewater. the wastewater is then
released into the sewer treatment system,
not into storm water systems, for further
cleaning. (www.brownbear.com)
editor and she makes her home in
Colorado Springs, CO.
the need and ongoing expense of
antiquated bag or disposable filters. it
includes an energy-efficient variable
frequency drive and a programmable
logic Controller in a minimal footprint
of 16" deep x 48" wide to assure
the operator experiences optimum
efficiency from the very first vehicle
washed in the morning through the
busiest peak wash days of the year.
the purWater system is available in
several different models to address the
needs of in-bay automatics, touch-free
or friction, full serve/express tunnels,
large vehicle Washes, self serve or
any combination of these models. all
purWater systems are etl, Ca and
Ce Certified and are supported by a
national and international network of
trained and authorized distributors.
the addition of a purWater system will
reduce water and sewer costs, increase
a company's bottom-line and promote
sound environmental consideration and
responsibility.