New Green Practices for America's Oldest Exclusive Subaru Retailer

As America’s oldest exclusive Subaru retailer, Nate Wade Subaru in Salt Lake City, UT, has seen many changes through the years. One thing that remains constant is Subaru’s environmental commitment, an effort Carli Claflin believes the automaker has made easy for its retailers to join.

According to Claflin, Nate Wade Subaru’s outreach coordinator, many of the Nate Wade employees share the same views as Subaru when it comes to the environment, which is a major factor in the choice to work for the Subaru brand and “why they love their jobs.”

Claflin recently shared some insight with the Eco-Friendly Retailer team about Nate Wade Subaru’s green efforts and its recent Eco-Friendly certification.

Green team in action

Nate Wade Subaru’s green team first took on recycling. They looked at every aspect of the process to make sure their plan was effective and efficient. Not only did they look at the internal approach, they also checked with the removal company to ensure recyclables were disposed of properly.

“We discovered that although we had plenty of containers in our waiting areas, they weren't as easily accessible to employees,” reported Claflin. The result was an effort to make employees aware of the recycling program and the addition of containers near workstations.

Going forward, the green team plans to monitor dumpsters to ensure trash and recyclables are placed in the correct containers.

Nate Wade Subaru’s green team receiving its Eco-Friendly Retailer certification earlier this month.

The green team’s environmental efforts aren’t limited to work hours. “One of the things I was most impressed with our eco-team is how much they do on their own to protect the environment,” Claflin said. “All of our employees are doing things at their homes to be more environmentally friendly, whether it be recycling glass bottles and turning them into something else, helping clean up trash in their neighborhood, or how they are constantly trying to improve their water and electricity usage.”

Nate Wade Subaru selected an entire showroom wall for its eco-display. Graphic designer Molly Marriott was behind the innovative concept. It leaves room for details about eco-friendly community events and other future additions.

Illuminating the exterior

This summer Nate Wade Subaru switched to LED lot lighting. Claflin reports the project brings energy efficiency, the addition of sensors to dim the lights after hours, and allows the retailer to track usage.

“Our lot is now completely running off LED lights,” said Claflin. “Our lot is brighter, and our electric bill is seeing a decrease.”

We love to give back

Nate Wade Subaru’s community slogan is We Love to Give Back. They’re big supporters of community charities and nonprofit organizations, and that includes efforts that support Subaru Loves the Earth.

A 2012 fire at Dixie National Forest, Utah’s largest national forest, burned 8,000 acres and left soil conditions less than desirable. Nate Wade Subaru joined American Forests’ efforts to plant 50,000 trees across 500 acres of the forest. The retailer donated 10 trees for every new Subaru sold during the campaign, with a total of 3,000 trees donated to the cause.

“One of our most exciting upcoming events is with Backman Elementary School,” says Claflin. “We are working to provide this elementary school with a greenhouse.” The school currently has a garden program that teaches students to grow foods and allows them to take the produce home. A greenhouse will help expand the program year-round.

Next up

Nate Wade’s green team is considering adding a glass recycling program and opening it to customers. But the plan doesn’t stop at becoming a glass drop-off location. The team is brainstorming ways to repurpose the glass into items to sell back to the community. Claflin says some creative ideas are in the works. Stay tuned for updates on this project.

In September 2019 Nate Wade Subaru sold the 10-millionth Subaru
vehicle in the United States. Read the full article.