CULVER CITY, CA – The City of Culver City, Calif., Equipment Maintenance and Fleet Services Division has been recognized for becoming a model pollution prevention vehicle service and repair facility from the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). To qualify for Green Model Shop Certification, the City had to:

• Perform a shop assessment and make needed changes.

• Implement required pollution prevention opportunities.

• Provide pollution prevention training for shop employees.

• Score at least 100 points on the model shop pollution prevention checklist. Certification requires the City’s use and commitment to recycling, tires, oils, filters, and anti-freeze. It also requires the sole use of refillable non-chemical cleaning agents, aqueous-based cleaning solutions, and the recycling of this solution, as well as the explicit use of special hydrophobic mops for cleaning oil/grease spills from the shop floor. These mops are biodegradable and may be recycled after about 100 uses. “We must also practice approved housekeeping methods for cleaning and storing hazardous wastes,” said Paul Condran, equipment maintenance manager, Transportation Department, City of Culver City. “All division employees have been trained in the approved methods for proper housekeeping and disposal.” Participating in the State’s Model Shop Program offers automotive repair shops an opportunity to take advantage of the public’s increasing demand for environmentally (green) safe auto repair shops. A green pollution prevention model shop logo signifying recognition by the State is awarded to each automotive repair shop that has implemented DTSC’s pollution prevention training. The model shop logo is approved to be included in marketing, point of purchase, advertising, and other promotional programs.