Autobahn’s Commitment to the Environment

An increasing concern for the environment by both business and consumers in recent years has seen a general shift in the attitudes and management practices in the automotive industry. A growing number of automotive businesses are now managing the environmental aspects of their operations to a standard never previously seen in Australia.

Autobahn Mechanical & Electrical Services have committed to improving the environmental sustainability of their group operations, and are striving to be the first Western Australian mechanical service franchise group to be environmentally certified under the Motor Trade Association’s Green Stamp Accreditation program.

What is the Green Stamp Accreditation?

Since 1999, the Motor Trade Association of WA has been working closely with a broad range of industry members and the Department of Environment to develop a fair and equitable environmental accreditation scheme for the automotive trades.

The Accreditation is an acknowledgement of an individual workshop’s commitment to minimizing the environmental impacts associated with repairing or servicing their customer’s vehicles. The program is encouraging businesses to address their environmental obligations, and more importantly, is rewarding the many that have gone beyond their legislative responsibilities to implement a range of industry best management practices.

What environmental criteria are assessed?

The accreditation criteria have been structured into 3 levels of achievement – with each additional level requiring a greater commitment by businesses to managing the environmental aspects of their operations.

The Level 1 Accreditation criteria require businesses to hold all relevant permits and licenses, and have appropriate infrastructure and management practices in place to ensure they are operating in a manner that satisfies their legislative obligations.

For Level 2 Accreditation, businesses must achieve all Level 1 requirements plus satisfy a minimum number of optional best practice initiatives which may include the recycling of particular waste streams, the use of environmentally preferred chemicals, spill management equipment or resource conservation initiatives.

The top level of certification or Level 3 Accreditation is awarded to businesses that satisfy the Level 2 requirements and have an environmental management plan that will help monitor their current practices and set objectives or targets for further improvement.

Autobahn…Caring for the Future of our Environment

All Autobahn workshops are currently working to achieve the Green Stamp’s top level of environmental certification. Most branches have already achieved status as a Level 3 Accredited workshop, and it is anticipated that all other sites will also satisfy this high standard of environmental management by June 2008.