Long Subaru Takes Straighforward Approach to Eco-Friendly Practices

Long Subaru’s main retail building covered in solar panels, part of a 246-KW solar PV system installed last July.

Subaru loves the Earth, and Long Subaru of Webster, MA, is following Subaru of America’s (SOA) lead and putting the environment first. Scott Barry, Long’s general manager, explains that eco-friendly business practices are a priority for SOA, “and it really only makes sense for us to put emphasis on it as well.”

Long Subaru’s motto—Run on Sun—highlights its new solar PV system installed last July, but the retailer’s efforts don’t stop there. Barry, along with Long’s green team, takes a common-sense approach to eco-friendly practices. “For the most part, you can have a significant impact with very little effort and very little increased cost,” he says.

Take Long’s updates to its reconditioning area. “We waste a lot of water out there, so we decided to do a simple little thing,” Barry said, and that was to purchase a pressure washer.  

“Not only will it cut down on the amount of time it takes to wash a car, but it will cut down on the amount of water it takes to wash a car,” Barry explained. The pressure washer, along with some new hoses, did result in an upfront cost, but Barry believes the savings in water and time will cover the purchase.

Barry and Long’s green team take this straightforward approach to other eco-friendly efforts throughout the dealership. A recent building expansion project added six service bays and a driveway. The service bays feature high-speed overhead doors run on compressed air. The doors help reduce heat loss in the winter. This type of door usually requires less maintenance and lasts longer than traditional overhead doors. Green Dealer Support recommends retailers consider adding these doors during new construction, remodeling or when faced with replacing existing doors.
 

Some green decisions come with a bigger price tag up front, like Long Subaru’s addition of a 246-KW solar energy system last July. According to Barry, adding solar panels is something the dealership had been approached about several years ago. When Long’s green team formed in 2015 it was further researched, and the retailer decided to take the leap.  

Barry highlighted several characteristics of the building and property that make the retailer a prime candidate for solar. “It’s a little easier with commercial buildings because they’re flat,” Barry stated. He added that Long’s building sits on top of a hill, giving it plenty of sun exposure with little shade from trees. “The sun goes right over us every single day,” he said.

“So, we put panels on both the body shop and the main building,” Barry explained, “and that system produces more electricity than what we currently use.” When the system generates more electricity than Long needs during the summer, utility companies issue credits for the extra energy produced. The retailer uses those credits during winter months when days are shorter and production is lower.

Aerial view of Long Subaru’s collision center roof, part of the retailer’s new solar energy system.

Green Team at Work

On Long Subaru’s blog, the green team candidly discusses its process to identify opportunities for eco-friendly changes. The team introduces the current situation and eco-friendly options while considering cost and possible efficiency drawbacks. Take coffee, for instance. The green team loved the ease of the K-Cup system, the fact that each employee and customer was guaranteed a fresh cup and all the drink varieties and flavor choices. The dilemma was the 40 plus non-recyclable K-Cups ending up in the landfill each day. After researching options, the team found a machine that offers the ease of a fresh cup each time, along with coffee varieties, while eliminating waste.

The team used the same approach to drinking water. To reduce plastic bottle waste, the team selected a water cooler that dispenses filtered water. Placing two of these machines in the building allows customers and employees to enjoy filtered water in their own reusable containers. Long also offers a discount on the purchase of Subaru Eco-Friendly reusable water bottles available for purchase inside the store. These bottles are available in the Eco-Friendly Retailer catalog on Subarunet.com >> Retail Environment >> Eco-Friendly Program >> Promotional Material.

Long Subaru’s green team reduced K-cup and plastic bottle waste with eco-friendly coffee machine (above) and water cooler (below) selections. See your local coffee vendor or WB Mason for similar grind and brew single cup machines. Contact your area Kinetico water system specialist for drinking water solutions.

When Long Subaru celebrated its 10-year anniversary, the team was charged with finding eco-friendly alternatives to traditional disposable plates, cups and utensils. After some research, they decided on the following materials:
 

• Food trays: Rather than disposable plastic plates, the team selected food trays made from unbleached natural craft paper and reduced raw material waste by 20%.
   
• Cups: The team used the same coffee cups available in Long’s customer service lounge. They’re made from a combination of 100% plant-based renewable resources and 10% post-consumer recycled fiber. 
   
• Utensils: Made from cornstarch, the utensils were the team’s favorite green party selection as they break down completely after use.

Long Subaru in the Community

Long Subaru’s recycling program includes paper, toner cartridges, motor oil, cardboard and car batteries. The retailer recently added alkaline battery recycling to the list. In some areas it’s difficult to find locations to recycle household batteries, so Barry opened the collection to Long’s customers.
 

Highway adoption sign located along Interstate 395 South near Long Subaru.

Last fall, Long Subaru also adopted a two-mile stretch of nearby interstate highway, sponsoring the cleanup of roadside trash. This partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation helps the local community by keeping it clean and reducing the amount of tax dollars needed for roadside pickup.

Visit Long Subaru online to learn more about the retailer,
and read about the highway adoption project here.