Downeast Toyota’s GREEN initiatives:

Downeast Auto Body has Gone Green

Downeast Auto Body has taken a proactive stand in protecting the environment by going “green” with its paint finishing system. Our state of the art collision center switched to a low-VOC PPG waterborne basecoat from a conventional solvent-based system over three years ago.

“Our use of waterborne basecoat for refinishing our customers’ vehicles significantly reduces the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere,” said Bob Filanowski, the manager of Downeast Auto Body for the last 24 years. “This move further helps us do our part to improve the quality of our air and contribute to an overall healthier work environment.”

VOCs are chemical compounds commonly used in paint coatings and cleaning products. When released into the atmosphere they help create ozone and smog. When compared to a conventional solvent-based basecoat , PPG Envirobase® High Performance can reduce basecoat sourced VOC emissions by up to 80%.

Waterborne basecoat is the latest coatings technology that’s typically used by manufacturers to create the original color on today’s vehicles. According to PPG, the introduction of its waterborne color toners for use in collision centers provides the enhanced ability to match a vehicle’s original finish.

“This is a major technological advancement with no downside,” says Filanowski. “It was a win – win situation, better for the environment, better for our employees and great color matches for our customers.”

 _______________________________________

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

Downeast Toyota Reduces Our Impact on Our Environment
 
1)      Recycle waste oil or, in extreme circumstances, burn for heat.
2)      Use well water to operate our car wash.
3)      Use recycled well water to operate our car wash.
4)      Use long life and super long life coolant
5)      Use long- life, world source transmission fluids keep to reduce fluids in the waste stream.
6)      Recycle tires.
7)      Recycle cardboard.
8)      Recycle scrap metal.
9)      Recycle automotive batteries.
10     We use washable, fabric shop towels to reduce the paper products in the waste stream.
11)    We use biodegradable brake and engine cleaners.
12)    We have installed high efficiency lighting in all of our shops to reduce energy consumption.
13)    We use a tankless “on demand” water heater in our reconditioning shop to reduce energy consumption and our reliance on chemicals when cleaning engines and
        other  automotive components.
14)   Our parking lot lights are on timers.
15)   We recycle ink and toner cartridges.
16)   We reuse paper.
17)   We recycle paint thinner.
18)   We recirculate heated air in our paint booths.
19)   We use programmable thermostats in all of our buildings.
 

We continue to seek creative solutions to create a healthier work environment for our employees and to reduce our environmental impact. 

 _______________________________________

Hybrids: GREEN Technology

What Is a Hybrid System?

A hybrid system combines different power sources to maximize each one's strengths, while compensating for the others' shortcomings. A gasoline-electric hybrid system, for example, combines an internal combustion engine's high-speed power with the clean efficiency and low-speed torque of an electric motor that never needs to be plugged in.  Hybrid engines improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while still delivering driving performance.

Hybrid is a core technology that Toyota intends to use for all future powertrains. Their corporate vision calls for offering a hybrid version for every Toyota passenger model in the early 2020s. In the meantime:

• Ten percent of Toyota’s U.S. sales are hybrids and Toyota has sold nearly 75% of all the hybrids in America so far. Worldwide, Toyota has sold more than two million hybrid vehicles.

• The 2010 Prius contains parts made from plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics. The newly-developed plastics known as "ecological plastics" emit less CO2 during a product lifecycle than plastics made solely from petroleum; they also help reduce petroleum use.

• Toyota has expanded and improved their hybrid line-up. Today, in addition to Prius, we can also offer our customers available hybrid engines in the Camry and Highlander.

http://www.toyota.com/about/environment/hybrids/