With the modern commercial emphasis on environmental sustainability, the need to reduce one’s carbon footprint has been more important than ever.

With the fragile state of the planet squarely in mind, Avis Car Rental has been able to make significant reductions in its carbon impact at its KwaZulu-Natal regional depot through the use of recycled water and low-voltage lighting.

Wayne Duvenage, Avis South Africa CEO, said that the company had installed a 15,000 litre water storage reservoir at the vehicle preparation centre which captures all of the run-off rainwater from the group’s buildings. This water is then used in the final water cleanse rinse program of the cleaning facility and has the benefit of being able to off-set municipal water requirements while also being ‘water neutral’ during the wet season. The new system is expected to save up to 16 million litres of water every year.

The new facility, which is one of the highlights of the new King Shaka Airport, features prominently at the 26,000 sqm vehicle preparation depot. It will also have the additional benefits of improving both workflow and operational efficiency, with the installation of two fully automated carwash systems that can clean a vehicle in just 45 seconds. The new airport facility also houses the new regional Avis office and an extensive vehicle service workshop.

Along with the water-saving measures, Avis has also introduced a range of initiatives to minimise electricity usage, including hydro boil geysers, new heat pumps, motion sensor lighting, metered taps and flush monitors and energy efficient air conditioning systems.