Helping the Environment

Fitzgerald’s Environmental Management System (EMS)

Fitzgerald Auto Malls, an ISO 14001 registered company recognizes our impact and responsibility to the environment, our customers and our associates.  This sets Fitzgerald apart from other automotive dealerships, in that we have considered the ways that we impact our environment, from our major recycling efforts, to our consumption of energy.  Fitzgerald is on a course unmatched by even many manufacturers that demonstrate to our customers and to each other that we take our impact seriously, and we're constantly looking for ways to preserve the environment in which we operate as a business.

We are committed to establish and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) that goes beyond simply meeting environmental laws and regulations, but extends to our everyday practices and business decisions.

We are committed to:

• Ensuring an environmentally safe working environment for our associates, customers and the surrounding environment.
• Reducing the environmental impact of our products and services whenever possible.
• Meeting or exceeding the requirements of all environmental laws and regulations.
• Continually assessing and monitoring our environmental programs aimed at reaching or exceeding our environmental goals.
• Creating a culture of awareness and commitment to Fitzgerald Auto Mall’s Environmental Quality Policy.

As part of our quality management system, we recognize that an effective EMS system is a never-ending journey of continuous effort and improvement.  We believe that we can continue to achieve our quality objective of sustained growth of our business while maintaining the health of the environment by focusing on the customer and innovation.

Green Power

Fitzgerald Auto Malls is doing its part to reduce the effect of fossil fuels on the environment.  All of the electricity at Fitzgerald facilities is purchased from Green renewable energy sources, mostly wind power at all of the dealerships in Maryland.

Fitzgerald Auto Malls was recently recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Leadership Club as a Green Power Partner.

Renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro generate green power.  A green power resource produces electricity with zero anthropogenic (caused by humans) emissions, has a superior environmental profile to conventional power generation, and was built after the beginning of the voluntary market (1/1/1997).

Fitzgerald is also a long-standing member of the Clean Energy Partnership.

Recycling

Fitzgerald is committed to recycling 80% of the solid waste generated at each of our facilities.  From scrap metal to fluorescent light bulbs, Fitzgerald recycled more than 4 million pounds of materials in 2007.

Fitzgerald Auto Malls were honored recently to be named a 2007 Environmental Responsibility Award Winner by the City of Gaithersburg

As part of Gaithersburg Green Week, the City of Gaithersburg presented Environmental Awards to individuals and organizations demonstrating environmental responsibility in the Gaithersburg community.  The awards were presented at a ceremony held Monday, April 16, 2007, at City Hall.

While Montgomery County has a requirement to recycle at least 50% of sold waste generated, the Fitzgerald Auto Mall Gaithersburg location has traditionally exceeded this goal. In 2006 they recycled a combined average of 79.5% of all waste generated at the site.  That’s over 500 thousand pounds of solid waste diverted from the landfill!

Just as recycling plays an important role, purchasing recycled materials is also a big component of Fitzgerald’s EMS.  Fitzgerald requires that the purchasing of office supplies prioritize the selection of recycled materials. For 2006, they achieved a rate of 38%-recycled materials purchased. From office paper to business cards, this has been a cost effective and environmentally friendly program.