PLANT PLANET
HOW WORKSHOPS CAN GO GREENER IN 2025
oil change
HOW WORKSHOPS CAN GO GREENER IN 2025
Plant planet talks to Witham Group’s Managing Director, Nigel Bottom, about its hard work to support UK Plant & Off Road vehicle workshops through its ‘going green’ philosophy.
Going green in a workshop is always a team effort, but – exploring lubricants – transitioning from conventional raw materials to non-toxic materials is one of the hardest areas a garage must consider. Workshops and garages traditionally use chemicals and fossil-based products like engine oil which are essential to their business and for the vehicle or machine to run properly. Unfortunately, these are not usually environmentally friendly products but there are ways you can identify and promote a greener culture in a workshop by working a little smarter. When looking at green credentials, you have to look at the full package. Not only the more common elements of sustainability but also right back to your supply chain and the products and services you operate within. 1. Energy Review the efficiencies of lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling systems, insulation opportunities, water use, and pollution control. Ideas include: • Installing solar panels on workshop roofs and depots – they often cover a wide surface area and can help generate new power to heat and light buildings and machinery and equipment. • Harvest rain water from the roofs and collect in IBC containers. Use the water to wash and clean vehicles and other equipment throughout the year. Thousands of litres of water can be saved each year. • Install PIR lighting so no lights are on unless they need to be. 2. Products The choice of lubricants that a workshop uses are wide and varied but can you ensure that suppliers offer the following to help you achieve your own greener goals: • Biodegradable alternatives – Chain Oils Tipping Oils and Hydraulic Oils are all available as viable, biodegradable options, and are extremely popular and still give comparable performance to more traditional mineral counterparts.
Then there are innovative ranges such as Prolan Lubricants – Witham’s range of multi-purpose lubricants which uses sheep’s lanolin as the strongest, natural lubricant nature can supply. This has been captured and blended to produce a range of four viscosity oils, from light work like chain and maintenance oils to restoration rust preventers and anti-seize greases, which are not only biodegradable but extremely long lasting, non-toxic and food and water safe. • Other Greener alternatives – In addition, there are now alternative fast-acting, biodegradable liquid floor degreaser detergents, offering ultra-powerful, deep cleaning of car workshop and showroom floors. Specifically designed to remove general dirt, tyre scuff marks, silicone film and are effective degreaser for fats, mineral and synthetic oils, and greases. • Engine Oil Viscosities – Lowering CO 2 emissions and improving fuel economy is high on the agenda of all fleet owners. Swapping lubricants to a fuel-efficient approved alternative can save more than 1.5-2.5% fuel saving for fleet owners if carried out correctly. Lower viscosity lubricant sales are on the rise and choosing the right engine oil can make a real difference to emissions and carbon impact and also for the business owner 3. Packaging Purchasing not only fully recyclable packaging, but container plastic packing from some suppliers are now made from at least 35% recycled materials. • Choose a lubricant supplier that offers recyclable or recycled packaging • Recycling schemes are also available for bulk 200 litre barrels • Partner with local recycling and waste suppliers – many schemes are available nationwide. 4. Bulk storage tanks Workshops and garages tend to use a lot of the same lubricant products and can have piles of used plastic containers lying around the place, so consider installing bulk storage tanks.
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APRIL // MaY 2025
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