The question of how to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way is one that looms large over the automotive industry generally, and the auto body repair sector, as well. The answer isn’t as simple as people should just buy more EVs, though electric vehicles are part of the answer. All vehicles, gasoline-powered and electrically powered, need occasional repair and maintenance. What practices and materials can collision repair shops implement to operate more sustainably?

Can auto body repair be sustainable?

While we as a society grapple with just how much we consume, the auto repair industry has been helping us get more out of what we already have for over a century. When we opt for collision repair after an accident instead of buying a whole new vehicle, we’re probably thinking it makes more sense to pay a few hundred or thousand dollars to repair the vehicle we already own rather than pay tens of thousands for a brand-new vehicle. We’re not thinking about how we’re consuming less than we otherwise might.

But just as we’re encouraged to not purchase a new smartphone or laptop with every new model that is released, getting more out of the products we buy, and use is a step towards sustainability. Auto body repair allows us to do this. Furthermore, auto body technicians can make automobiles run cleaner, more efficiently, and ensure they meet emissions standards.

Pretty much everything has an environmental cost, though, and collision repair is no different. Various methods of repair and different materials carry with them different environmental footprints. What can auto body shops do to operate in a more sustainable and responsible way?

Sustainable and Responsible Collision Repair Practices

What are the hallmarks of an environmentally minded auto body repair business? How can you tell they’re doing the right things? Here are some things to look out for:

• Reducing Chemical Impacts

During collision repair process, auto shops use and encounter various chemicals and materials. Perhaps the key substance here is paint. After a collision, replacement, or rust removal, auto repair techs often repaint all or part of a vehicle to make it look good. Not all paints are created equal, though, and some can be quite harmful to us and our environment.

By using water-based paints, auto body repair shops can significantly reduce the potential harms to our society and ecosystems. Instead of using solvent-based paints which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), collision repair shops can use water-based paints which are just as effective. There are also numerous solvents and fillers that are more environmentally friendly than previous options. Proper storage and disposal of chemicals, paints, and solvents is also critical to responsible behavior. 

• Choosing Sustainable Materials

Just like paints and solvents, there are various materials that are manufactured in more sustainable ways that auto body repair shops can purchase and use. Much of this has to do with water usage. By paying attention to how much water is needed to manufacture an item, auto repair businesses can opt for products that are less water intensive, thus lessening their environmental impact.

• Using Energy Efficient Equipment

Investing in energy efficient equipment and tools has two benefits. First, it makes auto body repair shops more sustainable. Second, it saves money. You pay for the energy you use, and collision repair shops sometimes use a lot of energy. Whether it’s a lighting system, a spray booth, or any other area an auto body repair shop can improve to be as efficient with less energy, they benefit themselves and the environment.

• Recycling

We talked earlier about the importance of properly disposing of potentially hazardous materials. Proper disposal is important regardless of the material, though. By implementing and adhering to a comprehensive recycling program, an auto body repair shop can reduce its environmental impact. The degree to which a shop can do this effectively depends on where it is because different jurisdictions have different regulations concerning what can and can’t be recycled. 

Often, it’s necessary for collision repair shops to take their materials and parts to a special recycling plant, or to arrange for a service to take those materials for them. Regularly recycling the aluminum cans, takeaway food containers, and cardboard around the shop is great, but the key here are unorthodox materials, such as auto part packaging, metal scraps, and hazardous waste. An auto body repair shop may have to put in some extra effort to dispose of and recycle these materials properly, but by doing so, they can truthfully claim to be sustainable and possibly avoid fines.

• Educating Employees and Customers

To execute all the above practices properly requires buy-in from staff. The best auto repair shops teach their employees why following rules promoting sustainability is important, and of course, just what those rules and methods are. It’s valuable for management to embolden staff to take the time necessary to ensure that they and their colleagues are following sustainability practices properly. It’s also worthwhile communicating this to customers, because that’s a big part of what this is all about.

Embracing sustainable practices and materials in auto body repair is crucial for mitigating the environmental impact of this industry. By prioritizing environmentally sustainable techniques we can significantly reduce carbon footprints and preserve natural resources. This shift not only benefits the environmentbut also promotes a healthier future. As auto body professionals and consumers become more aware of these opportunities, we move closer to a more sustainable and responsible approach to auto body repair.

The post The Environmental Impact of Auto Body Repair: Sustainable Practices and Materials appeared first on My Car Heaven.