Westlake Service Dept.’s green initiatives take top honors

The Westlake Service Department has received the Top Green Shop Award for 2011 from Fleet Equipment magazine. The award is based on green initiatives such as those incorporated in the construction of our Service Facility and the use of equipment and best management practices that promote and achieve environmentally sound policies.

The award is a national distinction that in the past has generally been awarded to private sector fleet companies. Annually, more than 50 fleet organizations vie for this designation.

“The best thing about the award is that we won it as a municipality," said Chris Stuhm, deputy director of public service, noting that the three previous award-winners were private companies. “We’re proud that we can remain competitive with the private sector and be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

Some of the city's green initiatives include:

• Heavy-gauge aluminum insulated overhead doors with light panels
• Waste oil is sold to, picked up and recycled by licensed vendor for recycling. A new waste oil heater was purchased for in-house recycling to reduce our dependence on natural gas 
• Floor drains connected to underground oil/water separator; cleaned annually by local licensed contractor
• Self-service parts washer units that utilize an expanded filtration system extend the life of cleaning solvents minimizing solvent changes
• Last year we replaced our refrigerant recycling machine and employees are certified in Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) procedures, ASE and EVT certified
• Efficient infrared heat tubes are used throughout the facility and in the vehicle storage bay
• Truck oil change intervals have been extended by using oil sampling and tracking 
• Spill control kits are available and are on-hand for employee use
• All employees are trained annually on storm water best management practices related to facilities, construction sites and other regulations as required
• Skylights reduce the need for lights during daytime operation
• Currently replacing the oil filter crusher

This award was made possible from the support of our residents and elected officials who encourage environmental practices on all levels and the highly trained, hardworking staff of the Service Department Fleet Maintenance Division.

“This is really an award for the whole city,” Stuhm said. “The technology department helped us with paperless conveyance, the engineering, planning and building departments were involved in the service garage and Westlake residents participate in the community-wide recycling program.”

You can find Fleet Magazine’s article about the award on the City’s website at www.cityofwestlake.org.