Two Bainbridge Island automotive businesses recently certified as EnviroStars – Jerry’s Auto Rebuild and Bainbridge Island Auto Repair. Both earned the highest level of recognition, 5-stars. Jerry’s Auto Rebuild became certified under the combined hazardous waste/air quality requirements of the EnviroStars-Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Autobody Pilot Project.

Gailene and Keith Mabrey built Bainbridge Island Auto Repair in 1994. In 1999, they purchased an adjacent business, Jerry’s Auto Rebuild, which had been in operation since the late 1970s. With his lifelong automotive experience, Keith Mabrey has a strong environmental commitment and written policies for his shops, and has reinvested in upgrades, equipment and improvements.

The EnviroStars site visit and worksheets gave the Mabreys additional ideas which were implemented during the certification process. Plus, certification provided the extra incentive to get rolling with some ideas they had wanted to try.

For both shops, the Mabreys already held regular safety meetings and training for employees and maintained material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and waste disposal receipts. They had created an extensive “Employee Environmental Health & Safety Plan” – all employees are required to sign off on specific items in the handbook – including hazardous waste, air quality, and safety procedures.

At Jerry’s Auto Rebuild, the Mabreys were preventing contamination and waste with such features as a computerized paint mixing system, HVLP guns, a dedicated paint booth with exhaust stacks, and an enclosed booth for priming and sanding. The shop is a member of the ACA and ASA, is ASE certified and holds 100% of 2001 ICAR certifications.

Some of the improvements made during the certification process include:
• New enclosed paint gun cleaner.
• New on-site still for recycling paint wastes – which is already saving money!
• Still bottoms are now handled as hazardous waste.
• The fire-safe enclosed paint mixing room is bermed to provide secondary containment.
• Paint booth filters are being collected while awaiting test results to determine if they can be handled as solid waste.

Next door at Bainbridge Island Auto Repair, the Mabreys had many good practices in place as well. They have been recycling shop wastes including scrap metal, oil, oil filters, antifreeze, freon, fluorescent tubes and solid waste. Employees appreciate a top-of-the-line exhaust system. All shop floor drains are plugged, and floor washwater and sludge from the two oil/water separators are properly hauled away as hazardous waste.

The AAA-approved repair shop also made improvements during the certification process, for example:
• New parts washer that uses only soap and water – eliminating the solvent parts washer.
• New secondary containment for wastes.
• Improved battery storage.
• All containers are properly labeled and have lids.

Shops that have these kinds of practices – or are interested in learning more about such improvements – are great candidates for the EnviroStars Program. Certify to earn benefits, including free advertising, customer acquisition, material and disposal cost savings, and improved employee retention and productivity.

EnviroStars operates in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce, Whatcom, and Jefferson Counties and is available to all “small quantity generators” of hazardous waste. For more information on EnviroStars call (360) 692-3611.