(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) March 18, 2010 - Lee Myles Transmissions and 5- Star Auto Clinic of Baltimore, Maryland are the latest two companies to transition to a Green operation.  It is interesting to see businesses that have taken the initiative to develop Green practices.  Both companies started making environmentally friendly changes prior to their evaluation indicating a proactive attitude that should be found in many businesses in the community.

Owner, Bob Sprague, and manager, Butch Coleman, worked with Jean Cozzolino of Greener Perspectives, LLC to review the progress of these two businesses.  Because of their ongoing efforts, both companies qualified as Green certified businesses at the silver level having earned 151 points.  The Green Business League uses a point system to provide verification of each company actually utilizing Green business practices.  Too often, without this independent verification, businesses with only a few Green practices call themselves Green.  This is obviously a practice known as “greenwashing”.

To verify actual achievements, The Green Business League requires an on-site audit of all Green practices and provides guidance for aspiring Green businesses seeking to validate their Green character.  Silver level certification starts at 100 points and allows the business to improve the operation to earn a gold or platinum level status.  This is because Going Green is a progressive project that cannot be accomplished in a single effort or by a few Green changes.

Lee Myles Transmissions and 5-Star Auto Clinic demonstrate remarkable initiative upon review of these businesses.   Many, many energy reduction strategies are in place including (a) replacing all computers with Energy Star models, (b) using waste oil is used to provide heat for the building which takes recycling to an even higher level, (c) and repainting the entire office section with Low-VOC paints.

Going further, both companies use aqueous cleaning solutions for washing larger parts, the use of recycled solvent for washing smaller parts (they have their own recycling unit), recycling antifreeze, recycling the metal from car parts, and even recycling the trash.

To further improve their environmental efforts, low flush commodes are in use in the bathrooms and, in the office, conservation efforts to conserve paper include by duplex printing.  Customers may even notice the addition of live plants that eliminate VOCs from the air and provide additional oxygen.

These are only a few of the improvements that customers may or may not actually see as they bring their vehicles in for repair or service.  Nonetheless,   Bob Sprague and his staff have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for operating a Green business in the Baltimore, MD area.  As Mr. Sprague stated “sure, it may cost us a few dollars more, but we just think it’s the right thing to do… for us, for our employees, and our community.”

The Green Business League commends both Lee Myles Transmissions and 5-Star Auto Clinic for their efforts and gladly confers the silver level Green business certification to these to businesses.  Area residents are strongly urged to consider using these services when their vehicles need service.

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