In the past few months, I've been going through some changes both personally and as an entrepreneur. One relevant topic that has stood out to me is social responsibility. I've been fascinated by a new series called Planet Earth. It has motivated me to make life changes in my company. I'm proud to admit I've been an eco-friendly detailer since 1997 and thank my clients and vendors for that support. Zymol has been one of the earliest companies to make organic all-natural car care products. I'm thrilled to be using another product line called Optimum that shares the same philosophy. Companies like Zymol and Optimum are on the forefront of a quantum leap in car care. I think as consumers we should be demanding products that don't hurt this planet. Products containing cheap petrochemicals, harsh acids, etc. are only there because there's a market. For the consumer to demand earth-friendly products, manufacturers must go back to the drawing board and engineer products that comply. We as a human race have the both the technical know-how and ingenuity to do this. This is a topic I feel very strong about and I hope I touch someone out there.

 

Good thread I agree thoroughly. Bump for useful thread!

 

You make a great point. Planet Earth is a great series, especially in HD. I must say, I do think twice now before doing something that may cause damage to our planet.

 

I'm not sure if we can reverse what's been done, but I think we can eventually help stop further damge and reverse things a bit. I heard on the radio from a scientist that what we do today will take about 100 years to affect the climate. Every little bit helps so I think those of us that love to care for our cars should also care for our planet. Thanks for the support guys.

 

I believe a bigger change in the industry will be needed. I'm not talking about product lines so much as epa compliance by detailers. You can use all the "safe" products but if you still let the water run off into the storm drain you negate all the good you think you did.

Many "natural" product lines are as harmfull to ground water, grass, kids, owners/operators as so called "petro-chemical" lines. The key is responsibility in understanding what you are using, how you are usning it, what efects it has and what it's limitations are.

I am excited to see another detailer as concerned about this as I am.

 

You're absolutely correct about the runoff. There was this contraption called a vcuuboom that traped the water on a matt and you sucked it into a vacuum to dispose of later. I'm mobile and try the best I can to divert water to the lawn or the driveway where it can dry before going into the street. As far as natural products being as harmful as synthetics, not sure about all the brands. As far as Zymol goes, I know it's safe for the environment.

 

I have the vacu-boom/berm system. So far i am impressed. Once i get it all installed and up and running I will send you some pics. I have my water recoverd to a waste tank with an auto pump out. I can then pump the water to the lawn, or into a toilet if nessisary. Many municipalities do not like you dumping it in the toilet, Mine prefers you to dump it into the lawn. Which the Feds frown on... <shrug what are you going to do>

 

This is why I haven't invested in the vacu-boom yet. I know you can dump the water on the lawn but then you get fertilizer and other stuff that runs off to the drain. I figured until there's an invetion that can filter water for us mobile guys, the best I can do is make sure I'm not dumping chemicals into the drain.

 

If you were to just dump the water yes you would likely have run off into the drain. I opted for a auto pump out that hooks up to a garden hose. This pumps a small amoutn of water out consistantly. So the water will soak in before it runs off. it also allows you to run the hose to a toilet and dump it in there.