California Declares Steel Wheel Weights The Best Alternative To Lead -

California Declares Steel Wheel Weights The Best Alternative To Lead

Adding to the mounting body of evidence that steel wheel weights are the best alternative to lead weights, the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Toxic Substances Control has released the findings of its "wheel weight assessment," declaring steel weights the "preferred alternative."

Adding to the mounting body of evidence that steel wheel weights are the best alternative to lead weights, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control has released the findings of its “wheel weight assessment,” declaring steel weights the “preferred alternative.”
 
The study was conducted to measure the environmental impacts of lead alternatives in the wake of a law passed in the 2009 California legislature that bans the sale, installation and import of lead wheel weights in the state. The life-cycle study, which measured impacts associated with lead, steel and zinc wheel weights, sought to identify “regrettable substitutions or burden shifting as a result of the lead wheel weight ban.”
 
Kevin Keefe, director of marketing for Hennessy Industries, which produces the industry-leading BADA line of wheel weights, applauded the report’s findings.
 
“As an increasing number of states take a look at this issue and take action to ban lead weights, reports like this one will play an important role in helping states make wise decisions about alternatives to lead,” Keefe said. “Our position has always been that if a state bans lead, it shouldn’t replace it with an alternative like zinc that also presents environmental concerns. It is becoming increasingly clear that steel is the best alternative, and the California study presents solid evidence on why that is the case.”
 
The report’s conclusion makes a compelling case for steel. “The substitution of zinc for lead weights poses a burden shift as the losses during use are more harmful to the environment than lead,” the report states. “Lower environmental and human health impacts coupled with the propensity for steel wheel weights to be made from recycled material appears to position steel wheel weights to be the best overall alternative.”
 
The full report is available at http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/ToxicsInProducts/upload/AAWheelWeights.pdf.
 
More information on the BADA line of steel wheel weights is available at www.ammcoats.com, and a comparison of steel vs. zinc  weights is available at www.steelwheelweights.com.

 

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By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
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parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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