What does it take to build a greener bodyshop? At Activate Accident Repair, sustainability is a driving force behind how we build and operate our award-winning vehicle repair centres.  

As the automotive industry evolves, so does the need for greener repair solutions, and we’re investing in technology that allows us to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining top-quality service. 

From energy-efficient lighting to advanced waste management, we actively invest in technologies and processes that lower carbon emissions, reduce energy use, and minimise waste. 

Sustainable Innovations at our Bodyshops

Here’s a closer look at the sustainable innovations shaping our bodyshops: 

Certifications that matter 

As a group, we measure and offset our carbon in line with PAS2060, an internationally recognised standard for demonstrating carbon neutrality.  

This also means we’re committed to reducing emissions year on year – this ensures cleaner operations and supports our fleet and insurance customers as they strive for greener operations. 

Buildings with energy efficiency in mind 

We’re always looking for ways to minimise energy consumption at our repair centres. Sensor-driven lighting is a great example—our lights only turn on when they’re needed, reducing unnecessary energy use. 

We’ve also implemented clever features like lightweight curtains that help keep the heat in when the doors are open. These small changes add up over time, making our sites more energy efficient and comfortable to work in. 

Where we can’t cut out energy usage, we’re actively switching to clean energy suppliers wherever possible. 

Spray booths: A big investment with a big impact 

One of the biggest considerations in our repair centres is the spray booths. They’re essential to our work, but they also come with a hefty price tag, and can have a significant environmental impact if operated inefficiently. That’s why we take extra care in selecting spray booths that significantly reduce energy consumption.  

Take our investment in heat recycling technology as an example. By capturing and reusing the heat that would normally be lost, we lower energy consumption and significantly reduce our carbon footprint.  

We also invest in paint products that reduce drying times at all our centres, reducing energy consumption on an ongoing basis. 

Smarter waste management and recycling 

Waste is one of the toughest challenges when running a bodyshop, but it’s also an area where we’re making huge strides.  

We follow a ‘repair over replace’ ethos, and use recycled or green parts wherever safe and reasonable. And when waste is inevitable, we constantly improve how we manage it through initiatives like solvent recycling and bailers for streamlined waste collection. 

We’ve also made a conscious effort to move towards a paperless environment. Thanks to the Onyx bodyshop management system, our drivers and technicians can complete tasks digitally, which not only improves efficiency but also cuts down on paper waste. 

In conclusion 

At Activate Accident Repair, our commitment to sustainability isn’t just a one-off—it’s a continuous journey. We’re always exploring new technologies and practices to reduce our environmental impact while delivering the high-quality repairs our customers expect.  

We do this through: 

• Measuring and offsetting emissions in line with the PAS2060 accreditation 

• Investing in energy efficient technology including sensor-controlled lighting, and heat recycling spray booths. 

• Improving our approach to waste management and recycling.