Written by Michael Morin

 & Auto Repair 

Auto repair and social responsibility don't often come up in the same conversation, but like any modern business run by people of conscience, auto repair shops can be operated in a manner that reflects sustainable business practices in their environment, their community, and as employers.

This month we celebrate Earth Day for the fortieth time. For over thirty of those years I have been working as a mechanic, and then shop owner, in the auto repair business. I have seen huge changes both in the cars we work on and the disposal and treatment of the byproducts of that service. Anyone who commuted on the freeways of Los Angeles in the 60s knew instantly why the new California Air Resources Board introduced pollution controls on automobiles in 1967. Visibility of less than a mile due to smog was quite common. I still remember sitting in traffic, windows down (what air conditioning?) and eyes watering, not even thinking that something was really wrong with this picture. Here we are forty years later, there are more than three times as many cars on the road and the air is significantly cleaner than it was then.

Business practices have followed suit. I once worked for a shop that poured waste oil over the fence at the back of the lot and let coolant run out into the street. Nowadays, a shop that follows best practices recycles waste oil, waste coolant, plastic, cardboard, paper, metals of all kinds, and has byproducts of cleaning operations stored securely and hauled off site by EPA certified waste haulers. Air conditioning refrigerant is also recycled, stored, and if contaminated, disposed of properly. New for 2009 - 2010 are storm water run-off measures that require all businesses to monitor oil leaks, spills, etc. that fall in the parking lot. Best practice requires that they be attended to immediately and not allowed to sit long enough for rainwater to sweep them into our watershed. Essentially, a conscientious shop owner does his or her best to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment.

As members of a greater community, auto repair shops should try to support that community through giving charitably, supporting worthwhile causes, and supporting legislation and candidates that contribute positively to the community, state, nation, and world we live in. For example, Morin Brothers and their staff hold car clinics and contribute the entire proceeds to the Women's Shelter Program of SLO. We also underwrite programming on listener-sponsored public radio, as well as support local radio and print through our advertising dollars.

Responsible businesses of all kinds should treat their employees well. Paying employees a living wage, one that will allow them to live here in our community should be normal business practice. Providing health insurance, paid vacation, sick and compassionate leave is not only good business practice, it is also socially responsible. Who among us would want one of our employees to become impoverished or even die because it is not profitable for us to provide benefits? Providing opportunities for our employees to give back to our community is also part of the philosophy of any forward thinking business. As businesses and as individuals, we owe it to our community and to ourselves to behave in a socially responsible manner. The lives we lead are the only ones we have. It behooves us to care for our fellow travelers as well as ourselves.

Michael Morin is the owner of Morin Bros., a full service automotive shop in San Luis Obispo. For answers to car questions email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it