Green
Cars are dirty; mechanics have the dirty job of fixing them. If we do our jobs properly, the car will be less harmful to public health than when it first came in. But what is the impact from the shop itself? What is the occupational hazard in serving the machine or the shop?
Room For Improvement
Enter the hybrid, and enter Luscious Garage. San Francisco’s Clean and Green Certification is our baseline; we aim from there. Our plan for sustainability, based on The Natural Step, was conceived by an auto technician with a MSLS Masters from Blekinge (origin of TNS framework).
In The Office
Our online, paperless administration Hyspace—custom built by LG, first of its kind for the industry—eliminates piles of paper and toner. Remaining supplies come from The Green Office; furniture is second-hand; the floor is made of recycled tire. Other green suppliers and services have favored nation status (from New Resource Bank to Green Postcards printers).
Shop and Office
We buy and maintain only energy-efficient appliances, purchasing second-hand when possible. Most of our equipment (from computers to oil drains) is purchased second-hand through Craigslist. 
We recycle nearly everything—all fluids, metal, packaging, and parts (with help from EcoHaul and Evergreen Environmental)—working with suppliers towards a zero-waste goal. (Seriously, we produce nearly zero trash. We even compost.) We buy parts and supplies locally whenever possible and in bulk, minimizing packaging and shipping. We keep things clean and organized with forethought and human attention, not with plastic, toxic chemicals, or cleaning devices that plug into the wall.
In The Shop
We do not spoil cars with disposable items, excess fluids, gratuitous parts, or chemicals. We advocate services that keep the car on the road as long as possible and with the least environmental impact—be it from carbon, toxics, or trash. Some stuff is easy: we brew our own windshield wash (one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water), keep the floor and ourselves clean to eliminate the need for paper mats or seat covers. Some things are more difficult, with no renewable alternative, for the car (like gasoline) or the shop 
(like air hose), but we actively seek renewable options. Case in point: we found a local bulk-oil supplier for re-refined motor oil (both 5W30 and 5W20 grade, ILSAC GF-4 standard), liberating oil changes from virgin crude.
Energy Policy
Renewable power is a major agenda for LG. We begin with strict energy conservation: the shop enjoys natural light though our handsome skylights and windows; high-efficiency fixtures and task lighting aid in shadow and twilight hours; insulation and venting (for the building as well as staff) remove the need for heating or air conditioning; we use plants to filter the air naturally. The second tier is a 1.5kW solar array designed to produce all the power we need. It charges our electric tools, which we proudly use in lieu of pneumatics (they are also far more efficient and keep the noise down.) For filling tires and the occasional stubborn fastener, 
we have a high-efficiency air compressor. All equipment, whether big or small—compressor, lifts, telephone, computers—is budgeted to consume within the capacity of the solar array.
Read more on our solar installation
Natural Resources
Water collection is also a long term goal. Except for making coffee and diluting antifreeze, a shop does not need fresh water. We are setting up a grey water system for cleaning and watering plants. Ultimately rain water will supply the main water lines. We launder all linens on site to monitor water, energy, and chemical usage.
Toxics
Toxic chemicals are the grounds for professional auto service. We are trained in handling sick cars, their leaks and emissions. We are also savvy at keeping the
necessary exchange of these substances under control. Our floor is non-porous; we use
rags to collect any residues; a dedicated rag service launders them off-site so the chemicals are disposed properly. We strongly avoid aerosols; when necessary, we use refillable containers to eliminate waste. Parts are cleaned with biodiesel (purchased from Autopia in San Mateo) in a closed-loop washer basin.
Last But Not Least
We repurpose fabrics to make our fender covers, towels, and non-toxic cleaning, all durable and reusable. Our floor is densified concrete, not an epoxy surface, dramatically reducing VOCs, particulate matter, and maintenance. Other building materials are renewable and non-toxic.
Bottom line: we pay attention to what we’re doing, which makes a dramatic difference in keeping the shop clean. Unavoidable toxics, emissions, and debris are controlled and contained. At first glance visitors often think we just scrubbed the floor; in truth we mostly sweep and only spot-mop after clearing any soiled area with rags. The cleanliness allows us to get in your car without paper mats or seat covers; the air smells fresh, not like a shop; we don’t need shelves of disposable cleaning products. Though we are more attentive, the work progresses faster, healthier, and at lower cost.
Too good to be true? Absolutely not. The novelty of a green garage—a real one, not just the plaything of a celebrity like Jay Leno—has spawned a lot of interest: from other shops, auto classes, green businesses, and media. We happily provide tours, please Carolyn for more information.