Auto Painting Becomes More Environmentally Friendly

August 13, 2008 10:25 am SHawke Cars and Transport, Environment, In the News

New federal laws to cut down air pollution from auto painting and stripping has forced some auto painting shops to start going green. Now this doesn’t mean freeways will take on the aerial appearance of vines weaving through the urban jungle. It simply means methods and products used by these shops will be revamped to be more eco-friendly.

Leading the Way in Green Technology

Adam D. Haddad, owner of a Worcester, Massachusetts auto body shop, has spearheaded the effort in this green transition. The shop, Accurate Collision, is one of the firsts to comply with the new laws. It has led the way by switching from petroleum-based paints to water-based paints.

His $150,000 investment also went toward a spray-paint booth called Nova Verta and a system to remove dust from the shop’s activities. The booth uses less electricity and eliminates the need for thinners or solvents, eliminating hazardous waste products.

Healthy Environment = Healthy You

Not only have the changes proved healthy for the environment, but employees are feeling healthier too. Dry skin, coughing, headaches and more have been pretty much eliminated from the work environment.