CLEARLAKE -Alvaro Valencia and Bill Stone, co-owners of A&B Collision are doing their part to save the planet and help sustain the clean air quality of Lake County.
A&B Collision has reportedly become the first collision repair shop in the county to offer a water-based paint system, eliminating toxic emissions that are released with solvent-based paints.
“With all the environmental problems the world is facing, we must start to think proactively,” Valencia said. “We are trying to be a company for the future and help keep Lake County”s air the cleanest in California.”
By using Aqualution water-based paint by Matrix System, Valencia and Stone said they are doing their part to improve the ecology and reduce their environmental footprint. As state legislation looks to decrease the allowable limits of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Stone said A&B Collision is taking a lead in this endeavor.
According to Stone, solvent-based paints are becoming restricted throughout California and although mandates have not yet affected Lake County businesses, A&B Collision is being proactive and is introducing water-based paints in an effort to protect the county”s clean air and environment.
“This is already mandated in LA and the Central Valley. It”s only a matter of time before it”s implemented in Lake County,” Stone said. “It”s going to be coming anyway so we might as well learn to use it now.”
Stone said that the new system is difficult to use but it does decrease the amount of waste and is safer for the user. “It”s harder to use but it”s worth it, especially when it comes to the painter because it is non-toxic,” he said.
A&B Collision has also invested in a sidewinder, which is solvent recycling system. Solvents are reused rather than transported to a treatment plant where it is burned for disposal, Stone said.
A&B Collision is proud of all the environmentally-friendly practices that have been implemented at the shop. “We recycle everything possible, from cardboard packaging to plastic bumpers and scrap metal,” Valencia said. “Even our car wash, degreaser and detail products are bio-degradable.”
A&B Collision is located on Old Highway 53 in Clearlake. For more information call 994-8800.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
