Since 1988, CarLovers Carwash Limited has operated a network of automatic and self-serve carwash facilities throughout Australia. CarLovers currently has 87 carwash outlets operating in Australia.
CarLovers service centre
Previous car wash facilities discharged all their wash water to sewer and did not reuse the wash water.
CarLovers is totally committed to ëcleaner productioní practises and each new site employs the latest technology to save on light and heat and conserve and recycle water. All water is filtered and treated for reuse.
Only biodegradable, non toxic detergents are used. Some of the programs that CarLovers has implemented are discussed below:
Reclaiming and recycling water
The water reclamation system used at CarLovers involves:
- A primary interceptor trap is located below each washbay to separate oil and grease from the water. Collected material is removed regularly from the traps and placed into temporary seepage bins, to remove excess water.
- Water from the primary interceptor is discharged to secondary settlement and underground holding tanks which further separates solids, oils and greases.
- Water is then filtered through a sophisticated reclamation system where it is treated for re-use. Any discharge to trade waste is well below the Water Boardís acceptance level.
Generating heat from the atmosphere
Most sites have an energy efficient heat pump to heat the wash water. The Heat Wave Heat Pump extracts heat energy from the atmosphere for use 24 hours a day throughout the year. Heat generated in this way is over six times more efficient than a gas or oil fired water heating system. This means that for every kilowatt of energy used by the heat pump, up to 5.5 kilowatts of energy is produced.
Conserving energy for lighting
With the help of consulting engineers and a team of energy auditors, CarLovers developed new ways to minimise energy usage. Light fittings which reduce energy by 50% while providing high, safe levels of illumination, are used at most sites across the country.
CarLovers systems allow the reuse of up to 80% of all water used during washing. This amounts to an annual saving in excess of 1 billion litres of water.
CarLovers was established in response to community concern about chemicals, oils and grease entering storm water drains and eventually contaminating natural waterways such as rivers and lakes. As kerbside carwashing is increasingly discouraged in all states, car owners needed a place to wash their cars efficiently without harming the environment. CarLovers provided the answer.
No barriers were encountered by CarLovers in establishing and identifying the needs of the business.
Marketing Services
CarLovers Carwash Limited
PO Box 5184
Newcastle West NSW 2302
Australia
Ph: 049 613 900
Fax: 049 623 351
Case Study Prepared: May 1997
by ACCP
The Cleaner Production Case Studies Directory is part of EnviroNET Australia.
- For more information contact:
Environment Australia
Environment Protection Group
PO Box E305
KINGSTON ACT 2604
AUSTRALIA
Email: cproduction@ea.gov.au
URL: http://www.environment.gov.au/net/environet.html
