ADOT equipment shops recognized for reducing environmental impact

PHOENIX – What started out as a reward program to help minimize waste and reduce impacts to the environment has grown into a standard of doing business at the Arizona Department of Transportation’s equipment service shops around the state. Through ADOT’s Green Shop program, two equipment service shops are awarded each year for going above and beyond in their environmentally friendly practices.

The equipment shop in Kingman and the satellite shop in Payson are the two winners of this year’s Green Shop Award for their dedication to providing excellent customer service while keeping the shop practices environmentally sound.

The Green Shop program was developed in 2006. As part of the program, a specialized environmental team within the Equipment Services work group developed the Equipment Services Best Management Practices Manual to give shops a guide on reducing pollution and improving operations within the shops in an environmentally sensitive manner. Practices include properly containing fluids to prevent seepage into the ground and recycling as many items as possible to reduce waste.

“I am very proud of the work our equipment shops have done to reduce environmental impact,” Equipment Services Administrator Devin Darlek said. “Because all of our shops are already in environmental compliance, our Green Shop program winners really had to go above and beyond to win the award.”

Green Shop Award winners are chosen through surprise visits to the shop where they are graded on their compliance with the Best Management Practices Manual and for implementing environmental methods that go beyond standard practices. Two winners are chosen each year – one full service shop and one satellite shop.

ADOT Equipment Services provides vehicle maintenance, repair and fueling services to more than 40 government agencies in Arizona ranging from state agencies like the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Game and Fish Department, to local police departments and school districts. Vehicles serviced range from light vehicles to heavy off-road equipment, and maintenance services include diagnostic and repair of a vehicle to a complete rebuild or refurbishment.