Aug. 1, 2011 – GRC-Pirk Management announced today that they have developed a first-of-its kind “Green Guides” workshop for owners and managers in the automotive service and collision repair business. Various stakeholders have partnered with GRC-Pirk to create a workshop explaining the green promotional practices and procedure permitted by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the new ISO-50001 sustainability requirements.
“Green is measured by the reduction of greenhouse gas,” said GRC-Pirk President Steven Schillinger. “The primary culprit is energy, not paint. Waterborne changeover only contributes to less than 6 percent of greenhouse gas reduction.”
The workshop will also address greenwashing – which is to describe a product or idea that’s deceptively marketed as environmentally friendly. The workshop will discuss greenwashing and why some shops find “green” hype to be a convenient, yet dangerous advertising tool. It will also discuss why many collision repair shops are so anxious to create positive public opinion as an environmentally-friendly business that they are wiling to grasp at any option.
Attendees will learn that greenwashing has sharply escalated in recent years as shops strive to meet consumer’s demands for greener products and services.
The Green Guides lesson is offered free of charge in conjunction with regional trade association events. Along with a certificate of completion executed by a licensed federal engineer, each participant receives a commemorative evergreen tree seedling as evidence of his or her commitment to protect the environment. The next meeting workshop is scheduled for September 22 during a Georgia Collision Industry Association meeting.
For more information on GRC-Pirk Management, go to certifiedgreeninvestment.com.
