During a recent hotel stay, I noticed many of the environmental initiatives in place that are becoming commonplace in the US hotel industry. Management had replaced the incandescent light bulbs in the guest rooms with compact fluorescent lights. Small stand-up signs were displayed in the rooms reminding guests to turn off the lights when leaving and to consider reusing towels to cut down on excessive laundering.
At this particular hotel, however, they had kicked it up a notch by actively promoting ‘Green’ as a core value for their business. There was a nice PR piece at the reception desk that spelled out the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and linked their philosophy to the sensitive ecology of the waterfront area the hotel was built on. The employees all wore shirts with a pin that read “Feelin’ Green”. Recycling programs were clearly in evidence. The genuine commitment that was being demonstrated apparently left many hotel guests “Feelin’ Good”, based on the overwhelmingly positive comments and feedback that the hotel manager reported since they decided to really wear their commitment on their sleeve.
Tell Consumers the Good “Green” News about Professional Carwashing
You know that consumers, including your customers, are becoming much more aware of the environmental impact of their everyday actions and purchases. The great news is that professional carwashing has a strong, simple green story just waiting to be told. That story is…
The Stormwater Story
Driveway washing creates pollution when untreated dirt, grease, oils, and detergents run off the car and enter the storm sewer, traveling to streams and rivers from there. Washing at a professional carwash is by far the more environmentally friendly option, because carwashes conserve, reclaim, and recycle water. Spent water is captured and sent to treatment plants, preventing runoff to streams and rivers. You can tell this positive story about professional carwashing using the compelling image shown here of a man (who is clearly behind the times), washing his car directly in a lake.
To use this image to help tell the story, it’s very easy. Just follow these steps:
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Go to www.cleanwaterNJ.org. The site is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Don’t worry that your carwash may be in North Carolina or Oklahoma — anyone is welcome to make use of the information and images at no charge.
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Download this image as a poster or mailer.
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Add your carwash logo for display at your carwash, or send it out to prospective customers in a mailer.
The carwash industry has a very strong ‘green story’ to tell, and it will benefit your carwash to tell it.
Laurie Sherman is Co-owner of Blendco Systems, LLC. Blendco manufactures a full line of detergents and waxes for the professional carwash industry. You can contact Blendco at: www.blendco.com.
