I am sure you don't have many operators of automotive repair
shops writing in, but here you go... I repair and restore vintage
European cars. While this may seem to be contrary to global warming
prevention, I do my best to ensure that cars coming into my shop
run as cleanly as possible, and run better and cleaner than they
arrive. Also, my shop is eco-friendly. I ensure all waste streams
are properly handled, all oils are recycled and all anti-freeze is
recycled. I wish there were better options for recycling the used
parts. There seems to be limited options in my area and none are
convenient to say the least. It would be nice to see imporvements
made in this infrastructure. Having worked in a number of shops
over the past 20 years, I find it appalling how many shops are and
continue to be ecological disasters.
I doubt I would have entered this field if I were more eco-aware
as a child, but one has to work with what one has available. I do
my best to ensure eco-responsibility is maintained to a high
caliber and seek ways to improve.
As a sidelight, I am working with folks who are converting old
Mercedes-Benz diesels to run on waste vegetable oil and bio-diesel.
It is my hope to optimize these motors to run more efficiently on
those fuels. While this is not an optimum solution, it will help
bridge the gap until something better is in place.