Send us your green ideas Each month Michigan Retailer will feature one idea that shows retailers being environmentally responsible. Call MRA's Laura Adkins at 800.366.3699 or e-mail mra@retailers.com to submit your ideas.

Auto shop goes green

Enviro Auto Plus in Zeeland has found dozens of ways to run a greener shop, and customers appreciate the efforts.

Owner Mike Beukema, who belongs to Consumers Energy Green Energy Program, specializes in work on hybrid cars and helps customers improve their gas mileage—but that’s just the beginning.

His shop recycles oil, oil filters, antifreeze, cardboard, paper and plastic containers. All the auto parts he replaces are separated by type of material (aluminum, steel, plastic), then saved for recycling or until he figures out how to recycle the materials.

To reduce energy consumption he uses only compact fluorescent bulbs and keeps lights off whenever possible, using daylight instead. He turns off his water heater throughout the summer and is working on a system to disconnect all electronics when the shop is closed to reduce their residual energy consumption.

Current GreenTailers: contact MRA if you would like to use the GreenTailer logo in your marketing materials or on your website.