Local shop wins enviro-award Local shop wins enviro-award (April 22, 2005)

By Allison Gerard

When people think of auto shops they usually imagine gasoline, oil and other toxic chemicals - not exactly the most environment friendly place, but Larry's AutoWork's has been working to change that image.

On April 19, Larry Moore's shop received recognition from the state for their use of environmentally-friendly techniques and reduction of hazardous waste and were certified as a "Model Shop."

"I realized about 10 years ago that we could make a major impact on the environment if we could clean up this industry," said Larry Moore, owner and operator of Larry's AutoWorks.

The Model Shop certification is part of the Department of Toxic Substances Control's Vehicle Service Repair program, which provides free pollution prevention training in an effort to encourage participation.

Larry's is the first auto repair shop in Mountain View to receive the designation from DTSC and one of nine others throughout the state. Participation in the program is voluntary but Leonard Robinson, chief deputy director of DTSC, noted that when a small shop is involved it shows a genuine group effort by the staff and owner.

"We salute small businesses because if you group them together they have a significant impact on the environment," Robinson said. "They are helping the environment one shop at a time."

To become a model shop, an auto repair facility must complete a training course, implement pollution prevention processes and resolve any prior violations.

Larry's shop looks very different than a shop ten years ago, but Moore said recycling takes less time, it's cheaper and the work environment is safer.

"These simple processes have changed the way we did business," Moore said.

Two of the main changes are the aqueous cleaning system and the hydrophobic mop. The aqueous cleaning system cleans dirty parts with a mixture of hot water and soap, which replaced a cleaning system that used a toxic solvent. Hydrophobic mops are now used on large spills and absorb only oil, not water or antifreeze. This is beneficial since most spills consist of a mixture and if the oil is separated it can then be recycled.
E-mail Allison Gerard at agerard@mv-voice.com

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