The Environment and Fred’s Auto Repair

Like most years, 2019 had its trials and its triumphs. On the downside, one of our long-term associates was medically disabled. On the upside, Fred’s Auto Repair was recognized as “Best of Westchester” for auto mechanic services. As we look towards 2020, we want to build upon the traditions of serving our customers, developing our associates, contributing to our community and lowering our impact on the environment.

Here at Fred’s we have always tried to lower our carbon footprint. One of the first things we did was to install a waste oil heater in the shop. This gave us a clean way to discard used engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, gear oils and power steering fluids. Instead of paying to have it carted, we dispose of waste fluids by burning them in a specially made furnace. This burning generates heat for the shop, additionally reducing our energy demand.

The energy and carting savings paid for the system within a year.  It was a no-brainer to upgrade to new technology and we are now on our second-generation system. There’s never a complaint about the garage doors opening during the winter given the ample heat produced by our environmentally sound furnace.

Environmentally Responsible Auto Solutions

We recycle cardboard and paper products with a local waste removal company. We outsource the cleaning of shop rags and uniforms for environmental benefits.  We recover and recycle Freon with our air-conditioning servicing equipment. Car batteries, tires, anti-freeze, plastic bottles, and containers are all recycled as well.  

Within the shop, we drain oil filters before disposal. This helps reduce water pollution because the average used filter contains 3 or more ounces of oil. With some 400 million used oil filters discarded each year in the United States, this translates to over 12 million gallons of oil. Per the Department of Energy and Environment, one gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water.

Our paperless Shop Management System eliminated written work orders. All of our technicians have tablets to log customers, input auto information, and communicate with our service advisers throughout their workday. The only paper printed is the final customer repair invoice, which customers have the option to receive electronically via email.

Since 1977, legislation like the Clean Air Act aimed to improve air quality by reducing auto emissions and improving fuel efficiency. When we perform New York State inspections, we check that cars are below allowable emission thresholds. Given the volume of cars that we service, the most important thing that we do is maintaining our customers’ cars to assure the best fuel mileage.  By maximizing the life of our customers’ cars, we reduce the frequency of disposal.

Our Auto Mechanics & Shop is Environmentally Responsibility

We will continue to review our processes. We will reach out to other local businesses and green certifiers to learn and share best demonstrated practices.It is worth rethinking all human activities, even down to light bulbs, to reduce our carbon footprint. If you have any ideas to share, do leave comments or call us at 914-762-1131.  From all of us at Fred’s Auto Repair, thanks to all of our customers, family, friends and suppliers for making 2019 a great year.  We wish you the very best for 2020!