Consumers are embracing more eco-friendly practices. This is true for businesses specializing in merchandising, reselling, B2B companies and D2C companies – every kind of company you can think of is focusing on being “green”. 

Business News Daily reports that there has been a 71% global increase in searches for sustainable goods over the past five years. A McKinsey study found that 60% of US respondents said they would pay more for goods with sustainable packaging. And Business Wire reports that more than a third of global customers are willing to spend more for sustainability.

So, it stands to reason that starting a sustainable car wash business, or making your existing wash more sustainable, is a good move. Here’s how you can do it. 

What Is a Sustainable Car Wash Business?

A sustainable car wash business is a car wash, of course. But it not only cleans cars, it focuses on reducing its environmental footprint by implementing eco-friendly practices throughout its operations. A sustainable car wash can minimize water consumption, chemical waste and environmental impact by adopting water conservation measures, recycling systems, renewable energy sources and eco-friendly cleaning products. All this benefits the planet and appeals to customers seeking eco-friendly alternatives for their car care needs.

7 Steps for Starting an Eco-Friendly Car Wash

Sustainability won’t be achieved with random or piecemeal efforts. Success comes with careful analysis and planning. Your business plan would include it, with steps to get there along the way, and ways to market your initiatives to your consumers. It should be a top-down, holistic enterprise decision, with dedicated resources and measurable follow-through.

If you’re ready to make your car wash eco-friendly, you’ve already taken the first step. From there, follow these seven steps to go green and attract customers looking to limit their environmental impact.

Implement Recycling Water Technology

While traditional car wash set-ups don’t always include water filtration systems, sustainable car washes do recycle water. Which is to say: if your wash recycles water, you’ve already taken a strong step toward sustainability that you can leverage in your marketing.

Implementing water recycling technology is a fundamental aspect of a sustainable car wash. Your commercial car wash can recycle and treat dirty water through advanced filtration systems, reusing it in subsequent wash cycles. Recycling water can save gallons of water daily and significantly reduce your freshwater consumption, minimizing the strain on your local water supply.

Implementing a water recycling system ensures a sustainable approach to water management and minimizes the environmental impact of your car wash. Step one for that is exploring car wash water treatment equipment suppliers to find the best equipment.

Choose Energy Efficient Vacuum Equipment

Leading car wash equipment manufacturers are focusing more and more on engineering products that deliver energy savings. It’s a win-win for owners and customers alike, as lower operational costs benefit the bottom line, and consumers choose greener businesses.

One example is the new single-stage T-Force Vacuum System from Vacutech, which saves up to 30% on energy vs. traditional multi-stage vacuum producers. Field test data show a
6% to 31% energy savings compared to multi stage producers, as well as a 50% increased lifespan estimated based on bearing temperature data collected during alpha testing. Less energy, less waste. You profit from that, and you can market it as well.

Embrace Renewable Energy

You can create a solar car wash by integrating solar panels into your sustainable car wash facility. Solar panels use the sun to generate electricity that powers your facility’s lighting, heating, air conditioning, and overall car wash operation. 

Solar energy can significantly reduce your dependence on non-renewable energy sources, lower operational costs, and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future. It’s an excellent renewable energy solution that reduces your carbon footprint.

Moreover, a solar-powered eco-express car wash will entice customers willing to pay more for sustainable services with efficient operations. 

Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

If you want your commercial car wash to maintain its eco-friendly status, opting for eco-friendly car wash chemicals is essential. Traditional cleaning solutions often contain harsh ingredients that can harm local water quality and aquatic life. In some unfortunate cases, this can be because of negligence. In most cases, especially for large companies, the shift to more sustainable practices can take time. What matters is intent. The goal is to be moving in the right direction.

A good starting place is products that minimize harm. Eco-friendly car wash chemistry from NCS Chemistry, for instance, is formulated to be free of harmful PFAS & PFOS, pesticides and heavy metals. It effectively removes dirt from cars without compromising environmental integrity and keeps your business ethical, marketable and profitable.

When shopping for such products, look for green logos and seals, and labels like:

• Eco-friendly
• Non-toxic
• Made from renewable resources

Additionally, using microfiber towels instead of disposable wipes for interior cleaning is a great way to reduce cleaning waste. 

Implement Proper Waste Management for Chemical Residues

Responsible waste management is crucial for a sustainable car wash business. You protect local ecosystems and ensure a sustainable car wash operation by consciously managing waste and chemical residues.

A comprehensive waste management system can help you properly handle and dispose of chemical residues and other waste materials so you don’t pollute the environment. This includes storing and labeling chemicals correctly, utilizing designated disposal containers, and collaborating with specialized waste management companies for safe and environmentally conscious disposal.

Laws and procedures exist for proper waste handling. A sustainable business follows these practices, educates its employees about them and doesn’t cut corners. 

Design With Green Infrastructure in Mind

When designing your car wash facility, consider incorporating water-conserving elements. But this is not just about water recycling. You can also install water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow faucets and toilets. This will help you minimize water consumption, keep your water usage bill down, and tout your environmentally-friendly practices.

You can also design efficient wash bays that optimize water pressure and flow to effectively clean and reduce water waste. If you’re really committed, you can also utilize rainwater harvesting systems to collect and repurpose rainwater for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation.

Train Your Employees in Water Usage and Other Eco-Friendly Options

You can significantly conserve water by educating and training your staff on water conservation techniques, such as using water-efficient nozzles and regulating water pressure during the wash process.

Training your employees on the proper use and dilution of cleaning products is also helpful, ensuring they understand the importance of minimizing waste. You can encourage employees to embrace sustainability practices throughout the facility, such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use.

Regular training sessions and open communication will help foster a culture of sustainability within your team and ensure your eco-friendly facility stays that way.

Engage With the Local Community

Engaging with your local community will help you understand the most pressing environmental issues around you. You can collaborate with environmental organizations, participate in community clean-up events, and sponsor initiatives that promote environmental awareness.

This will also allow you to educate the community on the benefits of eco-car washes, drawing customers who care about the environment to your business. By actively involving the community, you build a positive reputation and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.

Build Your Professional Car Wash Company Using High-Quality Equipment

Building a sustainable and eco-friendly car wash business requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to minimizing environmental impact. But the benefits of doing so are numerous. By implementing water recycling technology, embracing solar energy, using eco-friendly cleaning products, and managing waste responsibly, you can establish an environmentally conscious car wash businesses that customers will return to again and again.

If you’re looking to open a green car wash business or make your existing car wash more eco-friendly, National Carwash Solutions can help. We are an end-to-end provider of car wash equipment, including chemicals, services, vacuum systems and tunnel car wash systems.

Whatever your vision for your car wash, contact us today to make it a success.