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Ultimate Automotive first certified Green Shop in Quad-Cities
By Sue Tone
Reporter
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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PV auto shop owners Rose and Al Beseler received their Arizona Green Shop certificate from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on Nov. 24.
Ultimate Automotive Repair is now one of only three certified Green Businesses in Northern Arizona, with the other two in Sedona and Camp Verde.
Rose said it was an Oprah Winfrey show that got her to thinking about the business. She was visiting family in Canada at the time.
"I was watching her Earth Day show in April 2007, and I said to Al, 'Why don't we pursue being a greener business?' And that's how it all started," she said.
ADEQ's Pollution Prevention Program uses a checklist from which auto shops accumulate at least 300 points towards certification.
The entire business also earned points by converting from an electrical heating ventilation and air conditioning system to a natural gas system, and setting it on timers.
The Beselers installed a ceiling fan in the waiting room and compact light bulbs throughout, and put in 1.6-gallon flush toilets in the restrooms.
They use a mop and bucket rather than a hose, and planted drought-tolerant landscaping.
In the office, they use recycled paper products and supplies, and recycle their cardboard, paper, metals, plastics and used oil. They use shop rags, which they send out for laundering.
ADEQ conducted a walk-through site review and Rose sent in the 17-page checklist and photographs.
"We passed with flying colors," she said.
The owners began their pollution prevention program at their initial shop on East Valley Road. They made a conscious effort to convert their current business at 8737 Florentine Road when they moved a year ago.
Al estimates the cost of making all these changes, including the specialized equipment, to be around $50,000.
"It takes about that much to invest in quality equipment. It's never an expenditure. It's always an investment in the environment and what you offer long term to customers," he said.
Smaller changes also conserve resources. A drinking fountain takes the place of keeping a large supply of plastic water bottles on hand; lead weights from balancing tires fill a bucket for a recycling company that offers prepaid shipping costs; used oil filters, drained of oil, go to another recycler who turns them into rebar; and Al and his son, Arron, use several battery-operated tools to minimize running air compressors.
Rose, Al and Arron Beseler will host an Open House on Jan. 9, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for their customers and for those interested in learning how to qualify as an Arizona Green Shop. Please RSVP to Ultimate Automotive Repair at 928-775-7575. Shop hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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