Going green doesn’t mean a company has to adopt fancy new products, revamp their computer systems or install high-tech stuff.

Going green often means just tweaking what you’re already doing. The nation’s auto-repair shops are doing it, and they’re liking the changes.

For starters, going green can be as basic as earning credit for many of the changes that are already required by federal and state environmental laws.

For example, service stations are reducing use of solvent-based cleaners because they contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The problem with VOCs is that they mix with nitrogen oxide and create smog problems. So switching to low-VOC or even water-based cleaners makes a repair shop greener, cleaner and less subject to regulatory checkups. Going green for auto-repair shops also includes:

• recycling waste fluids
• conserving energy and water, and
• adopting spill prevention programs.

A recent story in The Arizona Republic details how happy shop owners are with the program because they’ve found out that once they make the effort to go green, it’s been worth effort. For one, the owners report that the changes make economic sense and two, the greener the facility, the more the customers like it. For the paper’s story, click here.

The idea of green repair shops is pushed by AAA, which launched the Green Business Automotive Program in 2005.  AAA partners with states to recognize and publicize green repair shops for AAA members.

Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has recognized 51 green auto-repair shops, the last 21 have signed on since May under the Arizona Green Business Automotive Program. The New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program debuted this past Earth Day.

Tags: AAA, energy efficiency, Green Business Automotive Program, recycling, water conservation