What Does It Mean To Be a Green Business?
Contrary to what Kermit the Frog says, it’s easy being green for Water Star Motors, the first Green Certified auto repair business in the County of Santa Cruz, and its team of like-minded auto mechanics. Long before opening Water Star Motors in 1993, our owners, Lisa and Henry Carter, were dedicated to protecting the planet through “green” practices. Integrating those practices into the auto repair world was a natural extension of the “being green” way of life.
Our motto, “Your Serene Green Auto Repair Team”, speaks for itself. Living and working green at Water Star Motors is a lasting commitment for us; not the latest business marketing fad or change of fashion. We were already green well before the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program began in 2003. When the opportunity to officially become a Green Certified Business via the Program arose, it allowed us to meaningfully help participate with and motivate others in the Santa Cruz community to address, improve and sustain sound environmental performance. Providing green auto repair and preventive maintenance practices is a core ethic for our ASE-Certified auto mechanics and staff. It’s what we do every day.
The Green Program has been a successful ongoing partnership of environmental agencies, utilities, and nonprofit organizations that assist, recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way. To be certified “green,” participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet stringent program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste.
“Henry and I believe strongly in the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ principle,” Lisa Carter says. Water Star Motors is a mechanically- and environmentally-conscious service shop. Being green is as much of the shop’s culture as is providing outstanding service and accurate auto repair that our neighbors here in Santa Cruz love. “The ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ principle fuels and drives our green auto repair culture at Water Star Motors,” adds Henry, who also serves the Santa Cruz community as a certified Master Recycler for the Program. “All of us can put the principles into everyday practices in our lives by thinking more like being part of a circular economy rather than a linear one. We offer motivated businesses and agencies an easy-to-use framework for improving environmental performance.”
Henry cited several examples of how Water Star Motors does this:
We use specialized recycling equipment and supporting practices to prevent solvents and other harmful chemicals from flowing into the ocean and Santa Cruz watershed. For instance, only hot water and biodegradable soap are used to clean auto parts.
We’re conscious about the harm that discarding untreated oil filters can do to the environment when dumped en masse into landfills. So we crush them, extract the used oil and haul them to separate specialized treatment facilities that substantially reduce the environmental impact.
Water Star Motors’ concern for the environment and being good stewards to the land is reflected in customer 5-Star reviews like this:
“Water Star Motors has been taking care of my vehicles since 1998. I find them to be personable, efficient, and friendly. I love that they are "green". I have sent a number of friends to them over the years and all have received excellent, high quality care.” -- Lee F.
Looking for a shop to provide you with the same outstanding service and care for your vehicle as it does for the environment you live in? Then count on Water Star Motors for the protection and care of your vehicle. We invite you to call us, schedule an appointment online, or drop by for a visit. We’re located at 318-A River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, and open Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM We love to serve you, your family, and friends!
