A WESTERN Australian motor industry environmental initiative is to be expanded into a national program.
The Motor Trades Association of WA developed the Green Stamp program in 1999, aimed at reducing the automotive industry’s wastes, pollution and use of raw materials by implementing eco-efficiency and other environmental management measures.
That program is providing the basis for the Eco-efficiency Agreement between the Federal Department of the Environment and Heritage and the WA, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, News South Wales and Victorian affiliates of the Motor Trades Association of Australia.
The agreement was launched in Perth by Federal Environment and Heritage Minister David Kemp last week.
Dr Kemp said the program demonstrated a commitment towards engaging with industry on the issue of business sustainability.
MTA-WA executive director Peter Fitzpatrick said automotive businesses were responsible for a range of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes that most car owners never considered.
"These include commercial quantities of used oil, coolants, acids, solvents, scrap metal, plastics, cardboard and contaminated water from a range of processes such as washing cars, cleaning parts and degreasing motors," he said.
