Patriot Subaru of Saco Wins Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability Award

Cox Automotive announced the 2016 recipient of their Leader in Sustainability Award goes to Patriot Subaru, Saco, Maine. This annual award honors the dealership for outstanding community contributions and in-dealership sustainability programs related to waste reduction, energy consumption or water conservation, with a focus on innovation, creativity and engagement with community and/or employees. Patriot will receive $20,000 to fund two new sustainability projects - one at the store, and another in the community.

"We congratulate Patriot Subaru of Saco for paving the way as good corporate citizens and demonstrating a commitment to shaping a better world through sustainable business practices," said Grace Huang, senior vice president of Inventory Services for Manheim North America. "The dealership's comprehensive, deep-rooted environmental and community programs embody the spirit of this award."

 
Brian Beattie accepts the Cox Sustainability Award on behalf of Patriot Subaru from Grace Huang, senior vice president of Inventory Services for Manheim North America.

Patriot Owner/President Adam Arens says, "We found early on that we could be environmentally more conscious as well as more cost effective in the way we run our business. We reviewed every department, and looked deep down for ways we could be both save money, and save energy. Every associate was involved. We turned ourselves into a zero-land fill facility. Everything is recycled, reused, or returned to the original source. We started it because it was the right thing to do. We share our ideas with other businesses, and yes, competitors, showing them how they can save money by being green smart. It works for everyone."

Patriot will put the $20,000 to good use. "We're looking at ways to collect rain water from the roof, and using that to irrigate the property, as well as our organic vegetable garden." says Brian Beattie, GM. "In the community, we'll be talking with a number of organizations looking for a strong idea. Three years ago we initiated a shade tree donation program to both the Saco Parks and the Portland Parks departments. We're very pleased with how that has turned out. We'll be looking for ideas of that nature."

Patriot's comprehensive approach to being green has four cornerstones: Think Green, Act Green, Sell Green and Convey Green. On the Patriot web site, there are 7 pages pertaining to green programs. One page lists over 80 tactics that the company employs to reduce, recycle, reuse, or return. //www.patriotsubaru.com/green.htm

Patriot earned a 2010 Award from Energy Star, the first business in Maine to ever receive such recognition. The company earned top recognition from ecomaine in 2013 and 2015, including the top spot "Best Business" award. Patriot was the first Subaru dealership in Maine to be named as an "Eco-Friendly Certified Dealer" from Subaru of America, which has a very rigorous set of requirements to attain. Patriot is also a leader in the national Green Dealer Support program.

Cox Automotive is based in Atlanta, employing over 60,000. It is a division of Cox Enterprises and participates in the national Cox Conserves sustainability program. Cox is a world-wide entity, with industry-leading digital marketing, software, financial, wholesale and e-commerce solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group.

For more insight into Patriot Subaru's Green program, check out our Green page.