But what makes ForSmart different to every one else?

ForSmart operates in a unique way, basing its working practices around minimising the impact we cause to the environment.

The points we feel are most significant are:

1. Operating Without Fixed Premises, Reducing carbon emissions from the "Building" and customer travel.
2. Offering Biodegradable Lubricants, Drasticaly reducing environmental impact should a leak or spillage occur.
3. Reducing and Recycling All Wastes Where Possible, Not just the valuable wastes.
4. Driving All Vehicles Efficiently and Minimising Miles, Ensuring our fuel consumption is as low as is possible.
5. Using Less Disposable Items, for example blue roll, air filters, seat covers etc.
6. Solvents, Fuels & Chemicals, for example brake cleaner, biodiesel, antifreeze.

Operating Without Fixed Premises

Usually a car repair company would operate from fixed premises, and this setup generally works well being convenient and cost effective. The customer base is usually from the surrounding area, say 10miles or so. A specialist may attract customers from further-a-field, who are seeking their expertise.

Our mobile setup works slightly different, in the sense that we travel to our customers, at a time that suits them, eliminating the need for the customer to travel and wait.

Our energy consumption is relatively low, where most premises require a significant amount of lighting, and heating, we require very little. Most heating, when required, is provided by waste vegetable oil or waste wood. Lighting is provided by low energy light bulbs and LED torches.

Biodegradable Lubricants

Engine oil can provide significant damage to the environment when spilled. Fuchs Plantomot engine oil offers a biodegradable alternative to standard engine oils.

We have offered the option of biodegradable engine oil for several months, with relatively few customers opting to use it. The additional cost and lack of information may have caused this, so now we are offering it as a reduced cost option of just £10 with every service.

Reducing and Recycling All Wastes where possible.

Most business's recycle to some extent. We strive to go one step further and recycle all that we can. We reduce our waste by opting to buy the largest quantity of lubricants, liquids, and other items that we can, preferably in recyclable containers.

We are currently separating the following wastes and passing them onto recycling companies:

1. Cardboard
2. Plastics
3. Metal
4. Oils, Antifreeze, and Brake Fluid

Of course, we will always reuse the above if we can.

Printing of receipts / quotes / invoices is always done on unbleached recycled paper, we always prefer emailing paperwork, but understand paperwork is often required.

Driving All Vehicles Efficiently and Minimising Miles

We consume significant quantities of fuel to run our vehicles, but we aim to reduce consumption wherever possible. We aim to travel the least miles, serving the most customers with the least miles. We are looking into using bio-diesel derived from recycled vegetable oils in the near future.

We also aim to stick withing the speed limits, aiming to drive at the most efficient speed possible, using brakes minimally, accellerating gently and keeping revs down.

Using Less Disposable Items

Disposable items are great for reducing contamination and convenience. However they are not always the most environmentally sound solution.

Disposable gloves are unavoidable as more durable ones provide less feel.

We won't use paper or polystyrene cups, and where purchasing hot drinks will use our own mugs. Prepackaged food is also avoided.

Solvents, Fuels and Chemicals

We aim to reduce the use of solvents where possible, and are seeking alternatives to solvent brake cleaner, the main solvent product we use.

We aim to minimise the use of fuel, and will use alternative fuels where available - providing they do actually provide a benefit (i.e. biofuel made from recycled oil).

Antifreeze can be toxic and an environmental nightmare. We don't promote unnecessary antifreeze changes, but where required we supply antifreeze that is protected by Bitrex (an extremely bitter substance that overpowers the sweet taste of antifreeze, thus reducing the chance of it being ingested).