Content about Environment

WASHINGTON — When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the final health assessment for tetrachloroethylene—also known as perchloroethylene, or perc—to its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database in February, it deemed the chemical to be a “likely human carcinogen.”

The assessment replaces the 1988 IRIS assessment for perc and for the first time includes a hazard characterization for cancer effects. The assessment underwent several levels of rigorous, independent peer review including: agency review, interagency review, public comment, and external peer review by the National Research Council, according to the EPA, and all major review comments were addressed.

The Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance says 70% of U.S. commercial dry cleaners use perc; EPA estimates the total number to be 27,000. So what does this development mean for the future of the industry’s preferred solvent?

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently awarded 46 small businesses $293,889 in grants to help them invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects, and three dry cleaners—Quality Cleaners in Lemoyne, Steininger’s Laundry & Dry Cleaning in Selinsgrove, and Murrysville Cleaners in Murrysville—were among the recipients.

Quality Cleaners received a $7,500 grant to aid in the purchase and installation of a K4 hydrocarbon system to replace a perchloroethylene system (total project cost is $87,635). The business is owned by Barry Gordon.

Steininger’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning received a $7,500 grant to aid in upgrading to a Union drycleaning machine for greater solvent mileage and waste reduction (total project cost is $67,385). Owner of the company is Charles Steininger.

Murrysville Cleaners received a $7,500 grant to install a high-efficiency boiler, with a goal of reducing emissions (total project cost is $31,000). David Beatty is the owner.

BEIJING, China — Texcare Asia, the International Trade Fair for Modern Textile Care, wrapped its three-day run here on Saturday afternoon. Attendance figures from show organizer Messe Frankfurt were not available as of this morning, but activity was brisk throughout the event.

The exhibition was 10% larger than Texcare Asia 2009, a show that Messe Frankfurt had described as the “largest one yet.” The 2011 edition occupied approximately 10,000 square meters (approximately 108,000 square feet) in three halls of the China International Exhibition Center, with one main aisle connecting the three.

There were approximately 130 exhibitors on hand. The show continues to grow as China’s laundry and drycleaning market presents significant opportunities for suppliers of resource-saving technologies as the government implements measures to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2020.

This has created a demand for environmentally friendly products such as centralized laundry systems, advanced drycleaning equipment, green solvents, energy-saving dryers, and water reclaimers, Messe Frankfurt says.

CHICAGO — Not so long ago, when you looked up “green” in the dictionary, there was a brief definition about color or pigment. Today, it’s difficult to read or hear the word “green” without also thinking of the environment, of conservation, of sustainability.

When writing about greening a business operation such as a drycleaner, it’s difficult to know where to start. There are so many different ways that a cleaner could boost its environmental profile, and so many different areas that are candidates for green initiatives.

And while going green could involve a decision to invest in new equipment, chemicals or supplies, there are low-cost, common sense changes that can also make a drycleaner more enviro-friendly.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GREEN

Every part of a drycleaning operation can be engineered to be “greener.” As you examine your operation for opportunities, here are just a few things to include on your checklist:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved California’s regulations banning the use of perchloroethylene in drycleaning operations by 2023. As a result, the agency will enforce the regulation ahead of its own, less-stringent federal rules.

“We applaud California’s efforts to rid its drycleaning industry of this dangerous toxin,” says Jared Blumenfeld, administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The state’s approach gives consumers healthier drycleaning alternatives.”

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Solvair LLC was awarded the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award for its Solvair Cleaning System technology. The award was presented at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center’s (ISTC) 27th Annual Award Ceremony in Champaign, Ill., last month. The ISTC award honors organizations for significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future and improving the economy. A record number of companies were considered this year.

CHICAGO — Cintas Corp. introduced a new, “environmentally friendly” apparel option for banquet staff. The company’s new, single-breasted tuxedos for men and women include recycled polyester fibers woven from recycled plastic bottles and are machine-washable.

CHICAGO — Unstable dyes and prints are the biggest processing headaches for drycleaners, according to American Drycleaner’s most recent Wire survey. Asked, “What do you find the to be the most challenging in your plant?” more than half of operators (54.8%) said “Unusual and/or unstable dyes or prints.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Regulations mandated by California's Air Resources Board (ARB) requiring the elimination of perchloroethylene machinery older than 15 years went into effect Thursday, forcing at least one longtime operator to close its doors.

DETROIT – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California recently dismissed an environmental contamination case against Hoyt Corp., a drycleaning equipment manufacturer formerly based in Wesport, Mass. The plaintiff, Hinds Investments LP, claimed Hoyt Corp. was responsible for perchloroethylene contamination on its property and was seeking damages for environmental remediation costs.

Being “green” can create great opportunities, and with opportunity, there is always risk. But to ignore the trend or create an appearance of apathy is, I think, the greatest risk of all.

Some cleaners just buy a banner that says “Environmentally Friendly Cleaning” and don’t change a thing. Others follow “green” ideals to the letter. There are drycleaners all over the “green”-marketing spectrum, from “greenwashers” to “treehuggers.”

The old saying, “There’s no sense crying over spilt milk” could apply to Chicago’s recent contamination problems. However, spilt milk can be cleaned up with a towel; solvents are considerably more difficult.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m all for a clean environment. I’m also for a free market. But in the free market of the last century, many businesses took their chances with sloppy housekeeping.