Each month, as part of this newsletter, I will continue to share with you my ideas and thoughts that may work for you as you strive to be more environmentally sustainable.

ENERGY STAR May Be Discontinued

All Subaru Eco-Friendly Retailers have a requirement, as part of being certified, to track utility usage by using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM). Some changes could be made because ESPM is dealing with uncertain funding. It has not been completely discontinued at this time, but it may not be funded beyond 2025 or 2026.

We have been asked what is the most effective way for retailers relying on ESPM to track their electricity, gas, water, and waste usage and what is a more effective tool and/or process? We know there is a value in tracking utility usage, especially if the goal is to reduce costs in these areas, but we may need to find a different method. It may also be a great time to increase the value of the effort that goes into this tracking endeavor.

While ESPM is facing funding uncertainty, it has not been fully eliminated yet. Another thing to consider is the fact that many parts of the county require the use of ESPM as part of their local regulations. With that in mind, Subaru retailers should prepare by backing up their data and exploring alternative platforms such as Cambio Vault, utility-specific dashboards, or commercial sustainability software to continue tracking electricity, gas, water, and waste usage.

Beyond any local regulations to track utility usage, it is clearly all about saving money and protecting the environment. While we have been evaluating alternatives to ESPM, we believe this is a much bigger opportunity that needs to be explored in reducing utility usage and cost. Next month we will be featuring a robust set of Best Practices and Ideas and want to include your input. The question is what can Subaru retailers be doing at their level to reduce utility volumes and cost. Tell us what you think.

Please share your ideas. E-mail me at chuck@greendealersupport.com or reply to this e-mail with your information.

Austin Subaru -- Austin, TX

Eco-Friendly Recertification

& High-Speed Garage Doors

Austin Subaru, in Austin, TX, is justifiably proud of their recent recertification as a Subaru Eco-Friendly Retailer. "The environment is an important matter for our customers. The Subaru Eco-Friendly Retailer Program demonstrates the core values of Subaru as a company and a brand by positively impacting our community and its local environment." The retailer posted the accomplishment on social media. You can watch the video here.

One of the energy-saving features utilized by Austin Subaru is the installation of high-speed automatic doors in the service department. High-speed automatic garage doors can be a surprisingly powerful asset for a retail facility. Here are the key advantages they bring:

🔒 Security & Theft Prevention

• Reduces, with rapid closure, the window of opportunity for unauthorized access.
• Protects valuable inventory (vehicles, tools, and equipment) from theft or vandalism.
• Acts as a deterrent since doors don’t stay open long enough for opportunistic entry.

🌡️ Climate Control & Energy Efficiency

• Minimizes heat loss in winter and cool air escape in summer.
• Maintains showroom and service areas at stable temperatures, lowering HVAC costs.
• Creates a more comfortable environment for customers and staff.

🚘 Vehicle Protection

• Shields cars from dust, debris, and outdoor elements when moving between service bays and storage.
• Reduces risk of weather damage (rain, snow, wind) entering the facility.

🕒 Operational Efficiency

• Speeds up workflow in service areas by opening and closing quickly.
• Limits downtime compared to slower manual or semi-automatic doors.
• Supports high-traffic environments where cars move in and out frequently.

🧼 Cleanliness & Professional Image

• Prevents dirt, leaves, and pollutants from blowing into the showroom or service bays.
• Maintains a polished, professional atmosphere that enhances customer perception.

📈 Customer Experience & Branding

• Reassures customers by the look of visible security and professionalism.
• Builds customer trust and credibility with a retail facility that looks clean, efficient and well-managed.
• Aligns with modern, tech-forward branding—showing that the retailer invests invests in smart infrastructure.

👉In short, High-speed automatic garage doors are not just about convenience—they’re about protecting assets, saving energy, improving workflow, and reinforcing a retailer's professional image. High-speed doors contribute to sustainability by reducing energy waste through better climate control.

Findlay Subaru, in Las Vegas, NV, celebrated Earth Day this year with its second annual technology recycling event, in conjunction with the Sustain Vegas recycling center. The retailer made sure that the community was aware of the event with a mention on a local television station. You can watch the video here.

With the success of past events, the retailer is planning two events in 2026 to keep up with the demand from prior years. Customers can drop off their technology recyclables free of charge. Electronics recycling events provide communities with a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of old devices while promoting sustainability and awareness.

🌍 Key Advantages of Electronics Recycling Events

1. Environmental Protection

• Prevents hazardous materials (like lead, mercury, cadmium) from contaminating soil and water.
• Diverts large volumes of e-waste from landfills, reducing pollution and protecting ecosystems.

2. Resource Conservation

• Recovers valuable materials such as gold, copper, aluminum, and plastics.
• Reduces the need for mining and extraction, conserving energy and natural habitats.

3. Cost-Effective Disposal

• Offers a low-cost solution for businesses and residents compared to individual disposal methods.
• Reduces the burden on municipalities by consolidating collection into one event.

4. Carbon Emission Reduction

• Refurbishing and reusing IT assets extends their lifespan, lowering demand for new devices.
• Cuts greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and transportation.

5. Community Engagement & Education

• Promotes a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
• Educates the public on safe disposal practices and ongoing recycling habits.

6. Legal & Safety Compliance

• Helps residents comply with local ordinances that prohibit discarding electronics in regular trash.
• Ensures certified technicians handle devices properly, protecting data security and public health.

7. Resource-Efficient Economy

• Encourages reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, fostering a circular economy.
• Creates lasting positive change by making sustainability a shared community effort.

⚠️ Challenges & Considerations

• Logistics: Requires proper planning, trained staff, and certified recycling partners.
• Awareness: Success depends on effective outreach so residents know when and where to participate.
• Data Security: Devices must be securely wiped or shredded to prevent identity theft.
• Funding: Some events may need sponsorships or municipal support to cover costs.

✅ Why It Matters

Electronics recycling events are more than just waste collection—they’re community-driven sustainability initiatives. They reduce environmental harm, conserve resources, and inspire people to take responsibility for their consumption habits.

Recycling as The Seventh Resource

Recycling is called the “Seventh Resource” because it plays a vital role in preserving the planet’s six primary natural resources—water, air, oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals—by supplying reusable materials that reduce the need for extraction and waste. Here’s what makes this concept so powerful:

🌍What Is the Seventh Resource?

• The term was coined by the Global Recycling Foundation to elevate recycling from a waste management tactic to a critical environmental resource.
• It recognizes recyclables—like paper, metal, glass, and plastic—as a renewable stream of materials that can be reused indefinitely, unlike finite resources such as fossil fuels or minerals.

♻️ Merit as a Resource Status

• Reduces Raw Material Extraction: Recycling supplies 40% of global raw material needs, helping avoid mining, logging, and drilling.
• Cuts Carbon Emissions: Recycling saves over 700 million tons of CO₂ annually, with projections reaching 1 billion tons by 2030.
• Conserves Energy: Producing goods from recycled materials uses significantly less energy—e.g., recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy compared to producing it from ore.
• Limits Landfill Waste: Recyclables keep materials in circulation and out of landfills, reducing pollution and methane emissions.

🔁 Circular Economy Impact

• Supports Circular Living: The Seventh Resource is central to the circular economy, where products are reused, repaired, and recycled rather than discarded.
• Encourages Sustainable Innovation: Businesses are designing products with recyclability in mind, reducing environmental impact from the start.

🌟 Symbolism and Global Movement

• Global Recycling Day (March 18) celebrates this concept, urging individuals and governments to treat recyclables as a resource, not waste.
• The idea promotes a shift in mindset: waste is not the end, but the beginning of something new.

Reframing recycling as a resource helps drive policy, innovation, and public behavior toward a more sustainable future.

Earth Day 2025 is now in the rear-view mirror. We trust that your efforts in promoting Earth Day 2025 at your retail facility were successful and enhanced your reputation in your community. Let us know what actions you took in 2025 by replying to this e-mail. We look forward to hearing about your endeavors.

Earth Day is not just a date on the calendar; it's an inspiring movement that unites millions worldwide in the pursuit of a healthier planet. By organizing and/or participating in local events such as tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and educational workshops, you can make a tangible difference in your community while promoting sustainable practices. By participating in Earth Day activities, we not only educate ourselves and others about the environmental impact of our choices but also foster a collective commitment to a more sustainable future.

Many of you post your Earth Day activities on social media. We peruse social media regularly to try to keep up with your "green" endeavors, and we are regularly impressed with what we see. Congratulations and keep up the good work! You just might find your retail facility featured in one of our upcoming newsletters since we plan to highlight Earth Day activities throughout the year. If there is an activity of which you are especially proud, please give us a "heads up" by replying to this e-mail and include the appropriate links to your social media postings or to your web site.

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.