Taking Care of the Place We Call Home

August 26th, 2026 by

Greetings from the front desk at Wareing Sturgis Ford, where we enjoy a lovely spot in the Black Hills between Bear Butte and the mouth of Vanocker Canyon.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”

Here at Wareing Sturgis Ford, we take that thought seriously. We are very conscious of the fact that we handle many different waste products that must be disposed of properly, and for a host of good reasons.

We live in an area of the country with millions of acres of agricultural and grazing land—a land full of natural resources and pristine beauty. A land abundant with wildlife, trails, and unique rock formations.

We also have many generations of ranching families who have passed down excellent land stewardship practices. These families count on us, and other businesses, to do our part in being responsible to future generations.

During the course of daily operations at our dealerships, our lube technicians remove many gallons of used oil. Our Service Technicians remove and replace worn tires. Our Parts Department collects and stores used batteries as replacements are sold.

Used oil, tires, and batteries are all important environmental concerns, not to mention scrap metal from damaged parts and other automotive fluids.

So, How Do We Handle All of This Waste?

Used Motor Oil

Used motor oil is stored in a waste-oil container here at the dealership. The oil is then picked up by a petroleum transport company and shipped to recycling facilities.

Motor oil doesn’t simply become useless when it gets dirty. Used oil can be re-refined into a reusable base stock.

Used Tires

Our used tires are picked up by Saber Shred. The tires are graded, with those suitable for reuse returning to the marketplace. Tires that have reached the end of their useful life go through a process that separates the metal from the rubber so the material can be recycled.

You’ve probably seen some of the many uses for recycled tire rubber.

Used Batteries

When batteries are replaced, the old batteries are tagged and stored upright on a wooden pallet in a cool, dry area of our Parts Department. They are later picked up for recycling.

It’s interesting to know that battery recycling can reclaim the major components, including plastic, lead, and acid.

Scrap Metal

We deliver our collected scrap metal to a local recycling facility. From there, the material can be sorted and processed so the metal can eventually be reused.

It Doesn’t Stop in the Service Department

There is plenty of attention given to waste in our office areas as well.

We faithfully recycle our toner cartridges, and our staff is well-tuned to reusing office supplies like folders and filing materials until they wear out.

Even outside, we use drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce the need for watering.

Responsible stewardship isn’t one big action. Much of the time, it’s simply paying attention to the things we use every day and making sure they’re handled responsibly when we’re finished with them.

So the next time you drive the winding turns of Vanocker Canyon, pass the majestic scene of Bear Butte, pause at the cascading falls in Spearfish Canyon, or take in the sweeping grasslands of the prairie—catching glimpses of small and large wildlife as well as herds of cattle—be reminded that businesses in the Black Hills, including Wareing Sturgis Ford, are making efforts to protect these areas for ourselves and for future generations.

Thanks for reading and, thank you too, for all you do to maintain the beauty, and the future, of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Posted in From the Front Desk