JAN
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 Water Conservation
What Steps Can a Subaru Retailer Take to Reduce Water Usage?

Reducing water usage at a Subaru retail facility can help conserve this valuable resource and minimize the environmental impact of your operations. Here are steps a retailer can utilize to reduce water usage:
 
1.Conduct a Water Audit: Start by assessing your facility's water consumption patterns. Identify areas where water is used and potential sources of wastage.
2.Fix Leaks: Regularly inspect plumbing fixtures, pipes, and equipment for leaks and promptly repair any issues. Even small leaks can result in significant water waste over time.
3.Install Water-Efficient Fixtures: Replace old, inefficient faucets, toilets, and urinals with low-flow or dual-flush models. These fixtures use less water while still maintaining functionality.
4.Use Water-Saving Car Wash Equipment: If your retail facility has a car wash, invest in high-pressure, low-flow car wash systems that use less water compared to those that use traditional methods.
5.Implement Rainwater Harvesting: Consider installing rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store rainwater for landscape irrigation and other non-potable uses.
6.Implement Xeriscaping with Native Plants: Choose drought-resistant and native plants, which require less water to thrive, for landscaping. Implement xeriscaping principles to design water-efficient landscapes.
7.Apply Mulch: Spread mulch around plants and trees to reduce evaporation and retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
8.Maintain Irrigation Efficiency: If you have an irrigation system, ensure it is well-maintained and equipped with smart controllers that adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels.
9.Sweep, Don't Hose: Instead of using hoses to clean outdoor areas, use brooms and sweepers to remove debris. This reduces water usage and prevents runoff of pollutants into storm drains.
10.Educate and Train Staff: Train employees on water conservation practices and the importance of minimizing water waste. Encourage them to report any water-related issues promptly.
11.Recycle Water: Explore opportunities to recycle and reuse water within the retail facility. For example, treated wastewater from car washes can sometimes be reused for landscape irrigation.
12.Regularly Monitor Water Usage: Install water meters to track water consumption accurately. Regularly monitor usage data to identify any spikes or anomalies that may indicate leaks or inefficiencies.
13.Implement Waterless Car Cleaning: Consider offering waterless car cleaning options that use specialized products to clean vehicles without the need for water.
14.Educate Customers: Share your retailer commitment to water conservation with customers and encourage them to adopt eco-friendly car washing and maintenance practices.
15.Benchmark and Set Goals: Establish water reduction goals and regularly benchmark progress. Celebrate achievements and involve employees in the process.
By taking these steps, a Subaru retailer can significantly reduce water usage, lower water bills, and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Water conservation also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which can resonate positively with customers and the community.

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 reducing water consumption. Be sure to include pictures whenever possible. Please reply to this e-mail with your information.
Elementary School Tree-Planting
Ken Ganley Subaru of Bedford, in Bedford, OH, knows the importance of preparing future generations to preserve and protect the environment. Students at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, in nearby Maple Heights, were on the receiving end of this learning process. Ganley employees, including General Manager Tim Nadvit and Sales Manager Jeffery Rosen, grabbed a shovel and got their hands dirty by helping three classes of first grade students plant the trees in the school's courtyard as part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative. Planting trees can make a positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
ENERGY STAR Certification Award at NADA
ENERGY STAR will be announcing, at NADA in Las Vegas in February, the retail facilities that have submitted a successful ENERGY STAR application by January 9 to ENERGY STAR. If you want to be considered, you can click here for additional information or watch the previous webinar here.

ENERGY STAR-certified buildings save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings. To be certified as ENERGY STAR, a building must meet strict energy performance standards set by the EPA. Specifically, to be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1–100 scale, indicating that it performs better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. This 1–100 ENERGY STAR score is based on the actual measured energy use of a building and is calculated within EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. The score accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important considerations.

We previously sent out a newsletter concerning ENERGY STAR certification. You can review that newsletter here.

Don't delay -- your facility could be among those recognized!
Cox Automotive will once again be presenting the Leader in Sustainability Award at NADA in Las Vegas in February. The presentation will take place on Friday, February 2, from 1:50-2pm. The sustainability panel, which will feature experts on that particular topic, will immediately follow the presentation. Chuck Golden, CEO of Green Dealer Support, is on the panel. If you will be at NADA, you won't want to miss this!
Eco-Friendly Disposal of Holiday Decor
When the holiday season comes to an end, it will be time to take down the decorations at your retail facility. But wait...before you toss them in the trash, consider the impact it has on the environment. Did you know that traditional disposal methods can harm the environment? Most decorations are made of non-biodegradable materials that can take years to decompose in landfills, releasing harmful chemicals and gases into the air. This year, make your holiday season truly green by opting for eco-friendly disposal methods. Instead of tossing into the dumpster everything you don't want to keep, consider the following alternatives:

  • Recycle your tree through a local recycling program, or consider renting a living tree that can be replanted after the holidays.
  • Donate your ornaments to local charities, schools or community centers, or even repurpose them for next year's decorations.
  • Turn wreaths and garlands into compost.

There are many ways to dispose of your decorations in an environmentally friendly manner. Not only will you be helping the planet and reducing your carbon footprint, but you'll also be setting a great example for your community. By taking a few extra steps to dispose of your holiday decorations in a sustainable way, you can make this holiday season a truly green one!

Keep America Beautiful offers additional details/suggestions concerning the eco-friendly disposal of holiday items. You can read the entire article here.
How green will you be in 2024? It's not too early to start thinking ahead and planning an event around April 22. Many of you let us know last year what you did to promote and celebrate Earth Day at your retailer location. Let us know what actions you took for Earth Day 2023 -- and 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 248 certified retailers.
Chuck Golden
Green Dealer Support
517.719.0355