People don't think of auto mechanics as being environmental stewards. With an occupational nickname like "grease monkey" it's not hard to see why. But that's just what High Road Automotive was recognized for.

"We're not heavy duty environmentalists in our personal life, we just do it in our work because it needs to be done," says Fred Wilson co-owner of the Ballard based auto repair shop.

Today High Road is recognized as a five star business by EnviroStars, a five county government co-op started in 1995 to advise and certify businesses in hazardous waste reduction and pollution prevention. The program ranks environmentally friendly businesses with from one to five stars and High Road Automotive has the highest rating. The rating wasn't an accident.

In 1989 the auto repair industry was facing state-mandated environmental regulations. The industry wasn't happy. But Wilson and his twin brother Tom, who co-own the shop, decided that instead of being dragged into creating cleaner business practices, they'd jump ahead of the rest of the industry. They reengineered how they did business, figuring they could cut costs if they did it right, and attract customers concerned about spending their money with environmentally responsible businesses.

"We don't really toot our own horn about it, but customers seem to know it when they're saying 'we came to you because you are environmentally-friendly'," Wilson said.

About $210,000 in the auto repair and collision repair costs are saved annually by adopting cleaner practices, according to Laurel Tomchick who leads EnviroStars through King County's Local Hazardous Waste Management Program.

"Businesses set a goal each year on what can be done. We walk through their facility and provide a fresh set of eyes," Tomchick said.

Certified businesses are featured in the EnviroStars "green" directory with has environmentally savvy businesses ranging from Laundromats to landscaping. EnviroStars also gives successful businesses public recognition through sponsorship with National Public Radio.

"We've done a lot of research on how to get rid of hazardous waste. EnviroStars routinely comes helping us find solutions," says Julie Schwan office manager of Gentle Dental.

Schwan says part of Gentle Dental's work includes carefully disposing of waste, for example treating water to remove mercury before it goes into the sewer. The company also uses a nontoxic cleaner for their x-ray processor.

"We have people call out of the EnviroStars directory in our reception area and its nice for people to know that we're doing extra steps to prevent hazardous waste," Schwan said.

To be certified by EnviroStars or to check their directory go to http://www.envirostars.com.

Jason Siegel is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.