FEB
2024
Eco-Friendly Tips of the Month
Chuck Golden
Each month, as part of this newsletter, I am going to share with you my ideas that may work for you as you strive to be more Environmentally Sustainable.
The Importance of Going Green
Retail facilities can take several steps to become more environmentally friendly and "go green." Going green not only benefits the environment but can also save money on operating costs and appeal to environmentally conscious customers. Here are some ways retail facilities can make their operations more eco-friendly:

1. Energy Efficiency:
  • ·Use energy-efficient lighting, such as LED bulbs, to reduce electricity consumption.
  • ·Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
  • ·Implement smart thermostats and lighting controls to optimize energy usage.
2. Renewable Energy:
  • ·Consider installing solar panels to generate clean, renewable energy on-site.
  • ·Explore geothermal or other renewable energy sources if they are viable options.
3. Sustainable Building Design:
  • ·Construct or retrofit the facility building with sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs.
  • ·Improve insulation and window quality to reduce heating and cooling needs.
4. Transportation:
  • ·Offer electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for customers and employees.
  • ·Include hybrid or electric vehicles in the facility’s inventory.
5. Water Conservation:
  • ·Install water-saving fixtures and appliances in restrooms and service areas.
  • ·Utilize recycled water in car wash systems.
  • ·Implement a rainwater harvesting system for landscape irrigation.
6. Waste Reduction and Recycling:
  • ·Implement a comprehensive recycling program for paper, plastics, glass, and other materials.
  • ·Minimize waste in service areas by recycling and disposing of hazardous materials properly.
7. Green Vehicle Maintenance:
  • ·Use eco-friendly cleaning products and practices.
  • ·Promote vehicle maintenance that minimizes environmental impact, such as proper disposal of fluids and parts recycling.
8. Eco-Friendly Landscaping:
  • ·Use native plants and drought-resistant landscaping to reduce water usage.
  • ·Avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals in landscaping maintenance.
9. Sustainable Merchandising:
  • ·Use eco-friendly or recycled materials for marketing materials and merchandise.
  • ·Promote green vehicle options to customers.
10.     Employee Training:
  • ·Train employees on sustainability practices and encourage their involvement in green initiatives.
11.     Eco-Friendly Partnerships:
  • ·Collaborate with environmentally responsible suppliers and service providers.
  • ·Support or sponsor local environmental initiatives or events.
12.     Certification and Recognition:
  • ·Seek green certification from organizations like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Green Business Bureau.
  • ·Publicize and market your facility’s green initiatives to attract environmentally conscious customers.
  • ·Retailers who use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to track utility usage are also eligible to earn ENERGY STAR Certification.
13.     Data Monitoring and Reporting:
  • ·Implement systems to monitor and report on your facility’s environmental performance, including energy consumption, emissions, and waste reduction.
  • ·The best tool to track utility in these areas is ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

By taking these steps, retail facilities can reduce their environmental footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, which can be a valuable selling point in today's market. Going green is not only an ethical choice but can also lead to cost savings and positive brand perception.
We hope that you have found these thought-starters useful. We want to learn what your retail facility is doing to become more environmentally sustainable when it comes to going green. Be sure to include pictures whenever possible. Please reply to this e-mail with your information.
Fairfield Subaru & Adopt-A-Highway
Fairfield Subaru in Fairfield, CA, has expanded its business "family" by sponsoring sections of nearby roads and highways in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Imagine having your retail facility name seen by a multitude of people every single day...plus the fact that most everyone appreciates a business that caters to the needs of the environment! You can't lose with this approach to going green -- a positive impact on both your community and the environment!

Fairfield Subaru has been a proud sponsor since 2019. With current and pending sites, Fairfield will be sponsoring a total of approximately 40 miles of highway, in addition to three sites of vegetation control along the on- and off-ramps.

The total count for bags of trash collected along those 40 miles in 2023 (still awaiting the December information) for the current sites is 883. With the additional pending sites for 2024, the estimated total will rise to 334 bags per month, with a projected annual total of just over 4000 bags of trash removed from the Fairfield-sponsored highways! This computes to about 48 cubic yards of trash per month, for an annual projected total of 576 cubic yards. That's a lot of trash, and Green Dealer Support certainly extends its appreciation to Fairfield Subaru for its sponsorship of this worthwhile program.
Automotive News Promotes "Going Green"
"Dealers are going green to save some green," according to an Automotive News article published on January 22. "While the cost and effort to switch to sustainable practices can seem daunting, many dealers are investing to cut utility and other spending in the future."
 
By making even small changes, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet. From recycling to using eco-friendly products, there are a variety of ways to go green. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you'll also be saving money and saving our planet for future generations!
 
This article, which you can read here, spotlighted Chuck Golden, CEO of Green Dealer Support, gathered input from dealer groups, and also features last year's winner (Mark Miller Subaru Midtown in Salt Lake City and Mark Miller Subaru South Towne in Sandy, UT) of the Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability Award, which was presented at last year's NADA convention. The honoree must meet one or more of the following criteria: 


  • Energy/Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction – Creative opportunities that reduce energy and/or greenhouse gas emissions in buildings through construction, operations, engagement, technology, or new processes.
  • Waste Reduction – Exemplifies “reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost” properties via community involvement.
  • Water Reduction – Explores creative opportunities to reduce water consumption through operations, engagement, or technology.
  • Innovative/Creativity – Seeks out and utilizes new technology; develops and advances better processes to produce impactful change.
  • Collaboration/Engagement – Actively engages stakeholders within and beyond their dealership and/or engages employees in volunteer activities that align with sustainability priorities.

Be sure to attend this year's award presentation at NADA on Friday, February 2, at 12:50 pm Pacific Time. Following that presentation, there will be a Sustainability Panel of experts (featuring Chuck Golden, CEO of Green Dealer Support) discussing that particular topic.
ENERGY STAR Certification Presentation
ENERGY STAR will be recognizing the first retail facilities/dealerships to achieve ENERGY STAR certification. This presentation will take place on Thursday, February 1, from 9:30-9:45 am Pacific Time, at the Las Vegas NADA Convention on the NADA Live Stage, followed by a brief segment on the value of certification.

If you are interested in achieving this recognition for your retail facility, please click here for details about the process.
WHERE TO LOCATE THE
TWO PRESENTATIONS AT NADA

For those of you who are coming to NADA 2024, we want to encourage you to spend a few minutes attending sessions where your fellow retailers/dealers are being recognized for their Environmental Sustainability accomplishments.
 
These retailers/dealers will have the unique opportunity to communicate to their audiences how they are different and provide a solid “Why Buy Here” reason.

ENERGY STAR will be recognizing the first retail facilities/dealerships to achieve ENERGY STAR certification. This presentation will take place on Thursday, February 1, from 9:30-9:45 am Pacific Time, at the Las Vegas NADA Convention on the Live Stage, followed by a brief segment on the value of certification. The Live Stage is in the West Hall, just off the Main Lobby.

Cox Automotive will again this year be presenting its Leadership in Environmental Sustainability Award at the NADA Convention. It will be presented on Friday, February 2, at 12:50 pm Pacific Time. Following that presentation, there will be a Sustainability Panel of experts (featuring Chuck Golden, CEO of Green Dealer Support) discussing that topic. The Cox Automotive Stage is in the West Hall, 2131W, which is within the Cox Automotive Group area 2321W.

Every car retailer/dealer has the potential to improve their operation’s Environmental Sustainability impact. By doing this, they are:

  •  Lowering operating costs.
  • ·Providing a better place for their employees to work.
  • Sending a message to their communities as to why they should “Buy Here.”
  • And it is “Just the right thing to do.”
Earth Day will be here before you know it -- on April 22! The theme once again is "Planet vs. Plastics," since this is of paramount importance for the environment, not only now but into the future. EarthDay.org is committed to a 60% reduction in plastics production by 2040.

Plastic waste is a growing threat to the environment, wildlife, and human health. All it takes is an effort by each and every one of us to reduce plastic use, recycle, and properly dispose of waste -- the end result of which is a cleaner, healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.
How green will you be in 2024? It's not too early to start thinking ahead and planning an event around April 22. Let us know what you've got in mind for 2024 by replying to this e-mail. We look forward to hearing about your endeavors.
Green Dealer Support neither endorses nor promotes any particular product or company. We are merely offering an example of what is available, should you decide to move forward with any information you read about in this newsletter.
Who's Certified?
Click below to see the full list of 249 certified retailers.
Chuck Golden
Green Dealer Support
517.719.0355