The New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program (NJGARP) was launched last week, during Earth Week, to encourage all automotive repair facilities—including dealerships and independent repair facilities—to implement environmentally-friendly business practices and obtain certification as “green” businesses.The New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program (NJGARP) is a partnership between the New Jersey Automobile Club (AAA-NJ), the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR), the New Jersey Gasoline C-Store Automotive Association (NJGCA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) designed to foster greater implementation of “green” practices within the automotive repair sector, and to promote greater recognition of these practices among the citizens of New Jersey.At the kickoff event on April 21, 2009, seven facilities (including three franchised automotive retailers) were awarded “New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program-certification” and recognition as “green” businesses (in alphabetical order):¨ AAA New Jersey Car Care Center (Springfield )¨ JD Automotive & Truck (Dover )¨ James Toyota (Flemington)¨ Liberty Hyundai (Mahwah)¨ Long Hill Auto (Millington )¨ Shade Tree Garage (Morristown )¨ Toyota of Morristown (Morristown )NJGARP committee members worked with the NJDEP to develop a checklist of “green” initiatives that automotive repair facilities can implement in an effort to become more environmentally responsible. Each “green” initiative a facility implements is assigned a point value. Repair shops must achieve a minimum of 300 points to qualify for—and maintain—New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program-certification and “green” business recognition. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions attached to this NewsLetter or visit the Program’s Website at http://www.njgreenautorepair.org for more information and to download a copy of the checklist so you can conduct a self-evaluation.The 88-point checklist includes: pollution prevention and resource conservation measures; waste fluids management; energy and water conservation efforts; waste water reduction; recycling practices; and protection of customers and workers at the facility. Facilities must apply for recertification every two years, and NJGARP committee members will conduct on-site evaluations to determine if facilities continue to meet the specifications of the program to remain “green certified.”