AUBURN HILLS, Mich -

Thirty Chrysler dealerships from across 19 states have been recognized for demonstrating environmental responsibility in their daily operations, from use of solar panels to recycling rainwater.

The group of dealers is the first to be recognized under the new Dealer Environmentally Conscious Operations Program, or ECO, launched last year by the Chrysler Group Network Development organization and the Corporate Sustainability Office.

Chrysler plans to recognize dealers annually for environmental commitment, and share best practices across their dealer network, the company said. Seventy-five dealerships entered this inaugural Dealer ECO Program.

“The Dealer ECO Program is a vital initiative that supports Chrysler Group’s commitment to creating a sustainable enterprise,” said Peter Grady, vice president of network development & fleet for Chrysler. “We commend these dealerships for their efforts and look forward to sharing their examples with others in order to expand and strengthen our shared commitment to sustainability.”

Eight of the 30 dealerships recognized have implemented one or more major environmental initiatives. For example, Chrysler reports that Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hot Springs, Ark., installed a 2,000-square-foot solar panel system on the dealership’s roof, to reduce its electricity usage and carbon dioxide emissions.

Other dealerships noted for implementing major environmental initiatives include Hunter Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Lancaster, Calif., which added energy-producing solar panels on carports while providing protective cover for customers’ vehicles in for service; Milosch’s Palace Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Lake Orion, Mich., which heats the dealership and body shop with used motor oil from customer oil changes; and Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Stigler, Okla., which collects and recycles rainwater.

The full list of dealerships recognized features:

• Milosch’s Palace Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Lake Orion, Mich.
• Sterling Heights Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Sterling Heights, Mich.
• Harold Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Grandville, Mich.
• Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
• Wayland Chrysler, Wayland, Mich.
• L. T. Begnal Motor Co., Kingston, N.Y.
• Lessord Chrysler Products, Sodus, N.Y.
• Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Nanuet, N.Y.
• Glendora Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Glendora, Calif.
• Swift Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Davis, Calif.
• Hunter Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Lancaster, Calif.
• Berthod Motors, Glenwood Springs, Colo.
• Pro Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Denver, Colo.
• Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Tacoma, Wash.
• Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Enumclaw, Wash.
• Westport Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Lawrenceville, Ill.
• Cavanaughs’ Motors, Monmouth, Ill.
• Tom O’Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Indianapolis, Ind.
• Spitzer Motor City, Cleveland, Ohio
• Fury Motors Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, South St. Paul, Minn.
• Jones Chrysler, Bel Air, Md.
• Foster Motors, Middlebury, Vt.
• Iowa County Chrysler, Barneveld, Wis.
• Safford Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Va.
• Deluxe Motors, Miles City, Mont.
• Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Sandy, Utah
• Dadeland Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Miami, Fla.
• Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Hot Springs, Ark.
• Mack Massey Chrysler Jeep Dodge, El Paso, Texas
• Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Stigler, Okla.

Chrysler’s Network Development and the Corporate Sustainability Office chose these dealerships for recognition based on data obtained from dealership online surveys and in-dealership photos.

Selection was based on a dealership’s major ECO initiatives, energy efficiency, waste recycling, wastewater control, bulk oil containment, vehicle lift maintenance and community relations program.

Chrysler presented each recognized dealership with a bamboo display plaque, and dealership employees received flash drives encased in bamboo, a symbol of environmental sustainability.